Employee Scholarship Program

Texas A&M University at Commerce

A&M-Commerce values its employees and encourages lifelong learning, which will help them do better in their job responsibilities.  In addition, the University strives to provide competitive compensation and benefits to its employees.  An Employee Scholarship Program for all budgeted full-time employees who have worked at A&M-Commerce for at least six months prior to the start of their program of study is available.  The Program includes the following features:

• The University will provide an Institutional Scholarship to all budgeted employees for up to six (6) credit hours each semester for 100% of the cost of tuition.  All fees will be paid by the employee.  Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

• The value of the Institutional Scholarship will range from $267-$678 each semester.
  
• The cost for fees is currently $157 for three hours and $302 for six hours.
  
• The Institutional Scholarship can be used for either undergraduate or graduate classes.
  
• The Institutional Scholarship is tax free to employees.
  
• Audit, extension, or correspondence classes do not qualify for the Institutional Scholarship.
  

• The A&M System Regulation 31.00.01, Employees Registering as Students, allows employees to take classes during the work day, provided that the class attendance does not interfere with the department's accomplishment of work.

• An employee may attend classes during the normal working hours providing prior approval is obtained from the Department Head, and the Department Head feels that class attendance will not interfere in any way with the accomplishment of the department.
  
• Employees must work the full number of hours for which they are paid or account for time off from regular work week.  Time off for the regular work week to attend classes depends on satisfactory arrangements being made before enrollment.  Arrangements include vacation time, comp time, leave without pay, or other specified arrangements.
  

• The number of hours an employee may take is not limited when classes are taken outside of the employee's regular hours of work.

Proposed Procedure

• To apply for an Employee Institutional Scholarship, the employee must complete the Employee Scholarship Application form and submit the completed form, indicating approval of the Department Head, the Employee Services Department for eligibility certification.

• Employee Institutional Scholarship application must be submitted prior to the 12th class day to be eligible for the award.
  
• The completed Institutional Scholarship Application form is presented to the Financial Services Department in lieu of payment for tuition.

• At the Scholarship Office, employee sign a promissory note for a loan that covers the costs of tuition.  as long as the course is completed with a "C" or better grade, the promissory note will be paid with an Employee Institutional Scholarship.  If the course is dropped or the employee receives a grade lower than a "C", the employee will be billed for repayment of the loan.

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