Information For:

Employee Education Program

The Employee Education Program (EEP) assists with educational guidance and financial support for employees on the Brown University regular payroll desiring to obtain additional formal education and training.

Administered by the Benefits Office, the EEP allows eligible employees to achieve professional growth and greater job satisfaction by enrolling in traditional or distance learning degree programs, job-related courses, or job-related certificate courses/programs. Courses may be taken at Brown University, or degree granting accredited colleges/universities outside of Brown, recognized by the Department of Education and belonging to one of the six regional accrediting agencies listed below.

Eligibility

Brown staff must be regularly scheduled to work at least 67% time (1300 hours per year), be in good standing, and must have completed six months of employment at the time of application. (Union members will receive education benefits as described in their respective Collective Bargaining Agreements). Faculty members, dependents and spouses are not eligible to receive education benefits under this program.

Program Benefits

Eligible staff may enroll in undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D degree or job-related courses at Brown or outside of Brown at degree granting, accredited colleges that belong to one of the six accrediting agencies listed. 

Accrediting Agencies

Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools  (MSCHE)
New England Association of Schools and Colleges  (NEASC)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools  (NCACS)
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges (NWASC)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools  (SACS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges  (WASC)

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted prior to the start date of the course for approval. Two weeks preferred. The EEP is a fiscal year program (July 1-June 30.)

The start date of the course determines which fy the course falls into.

Brown University Courses

Eligible employees are allowed to enroll in three degree or job-related courses per fiscal year.

Undergratdate programs must apply to the Resumed Undergraduate Education (RUE) program.

Brown Course Fee for the 2013/2014 Academic Year: $5,576 per course.

Registration Process for Brown Special Student Status (Employees enrolling in job-related courses)

Special students taking job-related courses must complete the following steps to be formally registered for a Brown course:

1.) Complete and submit the EEP Application for course approval. Attach the course description and one copy of the EEP application (top page only.)

2.) Complete and submit a Special Student Application from the Office of Continuing Education.

3.)  Special Students must contact  Laura_Duphily@Brown.edu ,  Office of  Continuing Education to schedule an appointment with a Program Director.  Indicate "Special Student Appointment" in the subject line.

Appointments will take place between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on the following dates:

  • Wednesday, August 28
  • Thursday, August 29
  • Tuesday, September 3

Brown Continuing Education is located at 200 Dyer Street, downtown Providence. View map for location: http://www.brown.edu/ce/events/

Once registered as a Special Student through the Office of Continuing Education, employees will formally register for courses at the Registrar's Office, located at J. Walter Wilson Student Services buidling, 69 Brown Street.

Important Dates for the Fall/2013 Semester

  • Wednesday, September 4, 2013 – Classes begin
  • Thursday, September 19, 2013 – Last day to add a course without a fee (not covered by the EEP)
  • Tuesday, October 1, 2013 - Last day to change a grade option
  • Friday, October 18, 2013 (mid-semester) – Last day to drop a course without penalty for those taking job-related courses

If enrolled in a non-degree job-related course, a penalty fee will be charged if:

1.) the course is dropped after the drop deadline date.

2.) the course is not satisfactorily passed with a grade of C or better, satisfactory, or pass.

Degree candidates (RUE or Graduate)  must complete an EEP application, register through Banner and follow the deadlines/guidelines/policies of the Resumed Undergraduate Education Program or the Graduate School.  Employees must notify RUE or the Graduate School, and Academic Advisors of any impending interruption in course work.

After course completion, the Registrar’s Office will forward a copy of the grade report of employees in job-related courses to the Benefits Office.

Non-Brown Courses

Employees may enroll in an unlimited number of degree or job-related courses per fiscal year, not to exceed maximum fiscal year limit of $2,500.

Courses must be taken at a degree granting accredited college or university  recognized bythe Department of Education and one of the six regional accrediting agencies listed.

Job-related Certificate Courses/Programs 

Courses must be taken at a degree granting accredited college or university recognized bythe Department of Education and one of the six regional accrediting agencies listed.

Maximum fiscal year limit of $2,500 applies.

Distance Learning - (degree candidates only)

Employees can enroll in an unlimited number of distance learning  courses not to exceed the fy limit of $2,500.  Degree candidates must be enrolled at a degree granting accredited university/college recognized bythe Department of Education and one of the six regional accrediting agencies listed.

For help related to educational pursuits and/or guidance pertaining to the selection of courses or schools, contact Michele Wise at 401-863-2459 or email: Michele_Wise@brown.edu.

Reimbursement

The University may pay for Brown courses or reimburse tuition costs for approved (non-Brown courses) at course completion.

Reimbursement is for cost of tuition only. Payment is not provided for books, registration fees or other charges.

Employees must receive a grade of C or better, satisfactory or pass, and/or certificate of completion.

Brown Courses

No money is exchanged for Brown courses.  A charge will be posted by the Registrar’s Office once an employee has registered for a course.  A credit will then be posted from the EEP account to the employee's student account.

Courses outside of Brown

Employees will be reimbursed for costs pertaining to tuition only upon the successful completion of the course.  Employees must submit their grade report and proof of payment (preferably the student account statement) from the school attended. Employees must receive a grade of C, satisfactory or pass for reimbursement.  A check will be issued and sent to the employee's campus box.

IRS Tax Regulations

In January 2013, Congress permanently extended the exclusion of employer-provided educational assistance under Internal Revenue Code Section 127. 

Brown University is allowed under this provision to provide up to $5,250 per calendar year in tax-free educational assistance. Once the maximum IRS limit is exceeded, either at the undergraduate or graduate level within a calendar year, the amount that exceeds this limit will be taxed according to IRS regulations.