Benefits > Educational Assistance

Middle Tennessee State University is committed to the continued growth and development of employees. To assist in fulfilling this commitment, the University offers several educational assistance programs. These programs, approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), are intended to serve as a means of career (job-related) development, as well as individual professional development. Educational assistance that is funded by University departments is available subject to funds being budgeted within the University.

The following description is a brief summary of each program and does not supersede TBR Guideline P-130 which is the final authority. Since the specific criteria for participating in these programs vary, please refer to TBR Guideline P-130 or contact the Human Resources Office at ext. 2929 for additional information.

1. Faculty or Administrative/Professional Staff Grant-in-Aid Program

2. Faculty or Administrative/Professional Staff Tuition or Maintenance Fee Reimbursement Program

3. Employee Audit Program

4. Clerical and Support Staff Maintenance Fee Payment Program

5. Fee Waiver for TBR/UT System Employees

6. Desegregation Development Programs (Faculty and Staff)

7. Fee Discount for Spouse and/or Dependent Children

8. Age 65 or Above
    

I. Faculty or Administrative/Professional Staff Grant-In-Aid Program

This program is available to any regular faculty, administrative/professional staff member who has been employed by the University for two (2) or more years. This grant is normally limited to personnel working toward the doctorate or other terminal degree; however, requests to pursue degrees below the doctoral level will be considered.

II. Faculty or Administrative/Professional Staff Tuition or Maintenance Fee Reimbursement Program

This program is designed to provide maintenance or tuition-related fees for any regular part-time or full-time faculty or administrative/professional staff member who has been employed for at least six months and who takes credit courses on a part-time basis while continuing work responsibilities at this University. Reimbursement may not exceed actual maintenance or tuition-related fees for a maximum of six credit hours per semester. This program is normally limited to personnel working toward the doctorate or other terminal degree; however, requests to pursue degrees below the doctoral level will be considered.


III. Employee Audit Program

This program provides course or maintenance fees for any regular part-time or full-time faculty, administrative/professional, or clerical/support staff member who takes credit courses on an audit or job-related non-credit basis at MTSU or another TBR/UT institution, while continuing work responsibilities at this University. To be eligible to apply the employee must have been employed for six months.

IV. Clerical and Support Staff Maintenance Fee Payment Program

This program is designed to provide maintenance or tuition-related fees for any regular part-time or full-time clerical and supporting staff member who has been employed for at least six months and who takes credit courses in a degree program on a part-time basis either at MTSU or another TBR/UT institution while continuing work responsibilities at this University. Reimbursement may not exceed actual maintenance or tuition-related fees for a maximum of six credit hours per semester.

V. Fee Waiver for TBR/UT System Employees

This program permits full-time employees (faculty, administrators/professional, and support staff) to take one credit course per term at MTSU or a TBR/UT institution, while continuing work responsibilities at this University. Auditing a course is allowed provided it is a credit course.


VI. Desegregation Development Programs

Black Staff Development Program
This program is authorized by the Geier Stipulation of Settlement. It enables black staff members to obtain advanced degrees and become eligible for positions of higher rank and salary within a Tennessee higher education institution. This program is available to all full-time black administrative, professional staff and other black non-academic employees who have completed the six-month probationary period. Priority is given to those who possess a minimum of two years of college credit; however, consideration will be given to employees who do not meet this requirement.

Black Faculty Development Program
The University and the TBR recognize that in order to increase the number of black faculty with doctoral degrees, it may be necessary to assist some faculty in attaining their master's degree. This program is designed for that purpose and is also authorized by the Geier Stipulation of Settlement case. Participation is available to black faculty members who are working toward a doctoral degree or who lack a master's degree. The program reimburses tuition-related expenses for courses that are counted toward the participants approved course of study. If the approved course of study is away from the home institution, expenses for room and board may be reimbursed. In addition, expenses for books and any other activity that enables the faculty member to achieve the purpose of this provision will be supported.


VII. Fee Discount for Spouse and/or Dependent Children

This policy provides for fee discounts up to 50% of the undergraduate fee and all mandatory student fees payable at the time of registration for spouses and dependent children of regular full-time and regular part-time employees. Regular full-time employees are eligible for the 50% fee discount for spouse and dependent children who have been admitted to any TBR or UT system institution through standard admission procedures. Spouses and dependent children of regular part-time employees who have one or more years of continuous service working a minimum of 50% time shall receive a pro rata discount based on the percent of effort currently worked by the employee.

VIII. Age 65 or Above

Regular and temporary employees who are or will be age 65 during a quarter or semester and who also reside in Tennessee are eligible to enroll in courses without assessment of maintenance, student activity, technology access, or registration fees. However, the institution may assess a fee equal to 50% of the per hour rate with a maximum of $45 for two-year institutions, $75 per semester for universities, or $30 for the technology centers.