November 20-21, 2003

 

ITEM 121-104-R1103    Tuition Waivers for Dependents (New)

 

THAT: During FY 2005 only, effective beginning with the 2004 summer session, employees of the Montana University System will be eligible for a partial tuition waiver benefit for their dependents. This program shall be piloted during FY 2005 in order to better assess the future financial and other implications of implementing such a benefit on a permanent basis.

 

EXPLANATION:Employee/Dependent Eligibility: Employees must be employed at least time for five or more consecutive years before being eligible for a dependent tuition waiver benefit. Employees who utilize the faculty and staff tuition waiver are not eligible for a dependent tuition waiver during the same academic term. Only one dependent may utilize the dependent tuition waiver in an academic term. A dependent includes the employees spouse, and financially dependent children as defined by the Internal Revenue Code who are unmarried and under age 25. This benefit shall only apply to employees included in a bargaining unit after it has been incorporated in a ratified collective bargaining agreement.

Dependent Tuition Waiver Benefit: The tuition waiver benefit for dependents shall be for 50% of the residential tuition. In no case may registration, course fees or any other mandatory or miscellaneous fees be waived. Dependents may utilize the tuition waiver benefit to take courses at a college of technology or in any other two-year or certificate programs and to obtain a first undergraduate degree at any unit of the university system. Dependents may not use the tuition waiver benefit to attend law school or obtain a graduate degree. The tuition waiver does not apply to non-credit, continuing education or other self-supporting courses.