Effective July 1, employees of Union Commonwealth University are eligible for free undergraduate and graduate tuition after only six months of employment. This is an update to the previous policy, which required a year of employment prior to eligibility, covered fewer credit hours, and only applied to 50% of graduate tuition.

“We are here to serve the academic needs of our community, and that includes our employees,” says Interim President Dr. DJ Washington.

Full-time Union employees may now enroll in up to 13 undergraduate credit hours or nine graduate hours at no charge each calendar year. Part-time employees who work at least 1040 hours annually may enroll in up to six undergraduate or three graduate hours per year, also free of charge.

“The tuition grant is not just about the monetary amount. It’s a life-altering opportunity,” says Vice President of Human Resources, Lynn Smith. Employed by Union since 2000, Smith has completed an undergraduate and two master’s degrees with the benefit.

“As time went on, I learned you need to be a lifelong learner,” she says. “It’s very important to have that mindset, no matter what you do in life. There’s always something more to learn.”

Providing employees with greater access to continuing education and professional development benefits Union as well, Smith says. “It provides a pool of qualified applicants for open positions,” she explains, which means UCU can offer more promotions, and thus, retain more staff.

In addition to the employee tuition grant, Union continues to offer 100% free tuition for dependent children of employees, at up to 18 credit hours per semester. Union also participates in two tuition exchange programs that provide opportunities for free tuition at any member school: Tuition Exchange (TE) and The Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). Smith’s daughter completed her degrees using the tuition exchange benefit.

“There are stories all across campus just like mine,” Smith says. “My story is not unique.”

Similar to Union’s previous tuition grant policy, some restrictions apply. Employee class schedules must be approved by supervisors to ensure job responsibilities can still be met. Additionally, each class an employee enrolls in must have at least six paying students as well.

The employee tuition grant covers tuition only. Additional class fees, technology fees, textbook fees, online course fees or other fees are the responsibility of the employee.

For more information about the expanded employee tuition benefit policy, contact Lynn Smith at (606) 546-1206 or tlsmith@unionky.edu.