Tuition benefit
One of the benefits of working at a university is the access to pursuing or continuing your own education. VCU offers a tuition benefit to Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, University and Academic Professionals, and Classified employees. The benefit may be used for academic credit in a VCU undergraduate, graduate or first-professional degree course. The tuition benefit covers standard undergraduate and graduate tuition, university fee, student activity fee, student government fee, technology fee and capital outlay fee. The tuition benefit covers only VCU courses. Visit the Student Accounting website for a list of current tuition and fees.
For information about tuition reimbursement for courses taken at another institution, refer to the Tuition Benefits, Educational and Training Opportunities policy.
Frequently asked questions
Full-time Faculty, University and Academic Professionals, and Classified employees are eligible for the tuition benefit. Adjunct faculty are also eligible under certain conditions. Part-time and hourly staff are not eligible for the tuition benefit. Faculty, University and Academic Professionals, and Classified employees whose positions are funded by multiple sources may or may not be eligible for tuition benefits depending on the nature of those funding sources.
Tuition benefits for VCU Health System employees are managed separately under a Health System Tuition Assistance program, which is not administered by VCU Human Resources. More information is available on the VCU Health System website. Please talk with your supervisor to learn more about the application process.
Tuition benefit means that VCU waives the standard undergraduate and graduate tuition costs required to complete an education course offered at VCU. One course (equivalent to three credit hours) per semester may be taken during work time.
Tuition reimbursement is available for employees taking an approved course at another educational institution. The cost of the class will be reimbursed by VCU if:
- The class is not offered at VCU at all, including online, and
- The class is related to your job, and
- Your supervisor approves.
The most relevant information to read regarding tuition benefits for classes taken at VCU is located on pages 2-3 of the Educational and Training Opportunities policy and guidelines (search under VCU HR policies). Tuition reimbursement is covered in greater detail on page 4 of the same document.
Tuition benefit covers standard undergraduate and graduate tuition in addition to university fee, student activity fee, student government fee, technology fee and capital outlay fee.
- Graduate tuition benefits in excess of $5,250 annually are added to reportable taxable income. FICA/Medicare tax is withheld on the excess amount.
- Undergraduate tuition benefits are not subject to tax reporting or withholding.
Tuition benefits do not cover audited courses, individual lessons, private music lessons, non-standard undergraduate and graduate tuition, books, supplies, program/course fees or English language courses.
Adjunct faculty may take one course at VCU under the tuition benefit after they have completed teaching nine credit hours. The benefit must be used within the three semester period immediately following the completion of teaching the nine credit hours. Adjunct faculty are not eligible to be reimbursed for a class taken at another educational institution. The most relevant information to read regarding adjunct faculty and tuition benefits is found on pages 3-4 of the Educational and Training Opportunities policy and guidelines.
- Contact your HR professional to initiate the application process via DocuSign
- Once received, complete the adjunct tuition form and attach supporting documentation of courses/semesters taught
- The request will automatically be submitted through the required approval process via DocuSign
- Upon final approval, it will be submitted to VCU's Student Accounting Office for processing.
- Tuition Benefit Forms must be submitted in accordance with VCU Registration deadlines and prior to the semester of enrollment.