| Nowadays, there are many alternatives to traditional | | | | Generally, in a tuition reimbursement program, you are |
| four-year degree programs. Individuals can opt for an | | | | responsible for all upfront fees and tuition charges that |
| apprenticeship training, continuing education course, or | | | | are associated with the educational training. After the |
| certificate program. | | | | program is successfully completed you are reimbursed |
| Employers realize that the college experience is not | | | | the expenses you incurred for the training. Tuition |
| for everyone and thus there are also alternatives to | | | | reimbursement is usually only applicable to the costs of |
| the classroom setting. There are numerous online or | | | | tuition, books, and course fees. |
| virtual classrooms that give students the flexibility to | | | | Legal issues will come into play with respect to tuition |
| complete their education at a more self-directed pace. | | | | aid and reimbursement programs. Tax laws determine |
| Below is a list of employer-sponsored opportunities | | | | whether or not any type of reimbursement program is |
| that are available to students. | | | | taxable or not. Some employers will only pay for those |
| Tuition Assistance | | | | programs which offer them tax benefits while others |
| One of the biggest reasons working people list for not | | | | offer them to the discretion of the employee. |
| furthering their education is lack of financial resources. | | | | The Human Resources department at your company |
| As part of a compensation package, many employers | | | | will have all of the details of the programs offered by |
| offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement | | | | your employer. |
| programs. Such programs are designed to increase | | | | Company-Sponsored Training |
| skills and employee retention. Investing in education | | | | Tuition assistance beneficial for all parties involved for |
| sends the message that the employer has a vested | | | | a number of reasons. The employee earns not only a |
| interest in its employees. | | | | salary but an education which in turn increase the |
| Now there are stipulations that go along with a tuition | | | | chance for advancement. The employer reaps the |
| program. Some require that the employee remain and | | | | benefits of the training by increased employee loyalty, |
| employed by the company for a specific period after | | | | motivation, and productivity. |
| the training is complete. In others, you enter into a | | | | Company-sponsored training, in all its forms, benefits |
| contractual arrangement that binds you to the | | | | everyone. |
| guidelines of the agreement. | | | | |