EDUCATION PAYS

At K-State, a paycheck, insurance and retirement plan aren't the only benefits for full-time employees.

The university's tuition assistance program provides a substantial benefit, covering the cost of tuition for a three-hour class once a semester.

The program is available to any benefits-eligible full-time employee and can be used as many as three times a year -- once in the fall, spring and summer semester.

"K-State has long been committed to continued education for its employees," said Stephanie Harvey, assistant director of human resources at K-State. "Over the years, this program has broadened to allow more employees to take advantage of this benefit."

And the program has been popular.

For fall 2009 and spring 2010, 241 employees have taken advantage of this benefit. That's up from the 20 or so with the original program started decades ago. Since the program began, it's also been expanded and is now offered to a broader spectrum of employees as well as for graduate-level courses.

"What began as a good idea has turned out to be a fabulous program," Harvey said.

Harvey also said that employees can take classes that aren't necessarily tied to a degree or their job at the university.

"This program allows full-time employees to take advantage of the very product K-State delivers," Harvey said. "We should never stop learning and taking college classes is a win-win for K-State and the employee. The more you know, the more you provide as an employee.

To receive tuition assistance, employees must submit the application for tuition assistance to K-State's office of student financial assistance before the start of the semester in which the course takes place. The application requires the employee's and department head's signatures, and classes may be taken on the Manhattan or Salina campus.

Tuition assistance pays for tuition only; fees and other associated costs are the responsibility of the employee. In addition, time away from work for classes is not a part of the program, though agreements can be made with the employee's supervisor and department head.

More information on K-State's tuition assistance program is available at http://www.k-state.edu/hr/benefits/educ_opp.html and http://www.k-state.edu/policies/ppm/4870.html