University of Illinois System

Academic Professional or Faculty Employee or Retiree Attending College

Academic Professional or Faculty employees and retirees may be eligible for an employee tuition waiver from any of the three University of Illinois campuses (UIC, UIS, or UIUC). Select one of the following for more information:

Policy Information

The tuition waiver benefit for an Academic Professional/Faculty employee or retiree attending college provides the following benefits and has the following limitations.

  • Under the current sections of the Internal Revenue Code, the value of the undergraduate tuition waivers is not subject to taxation. Effective January 1, 2006, the University adopted an Educational Assistance Plan, complying with Internal Revenue Code Section 127, which excludes the value of graduate-level tuition waivers from taxable income up to $5,250 per year.
  • Employees must meet the admission requirements for the institution they are attending, and space must be available in the desired course.
  • Prior to enrolling in course(s), employee should discuss with his/her supervisor any arrangements that will be necessary for course(s) taken during working hours.
  • Employees who resign or are terminated lose their eligibility for tuition and fee waivers and may not continue to attend courses. If an employee has worked 91 days in the semester at the time of resignation or termination, the employee may complete the course and does not have to repay the waived tuition.

Eligibility Requirements

Academic employees (excluding the Graduate Student Assistant category) are eligible for a tuition and service fee waiver if they hold an active appointment of 25 percent or more of full-time service for not less than three-fourths of the academic term. Also eligible for tuition and fee waivers are retired academic employees and staff members of allied agencies who are considered equivalent to academic staff members of the University. Contact your HR office to determine if your appointment type, start date, and length qualify for active status.

Universities Offering Tuition Waivers

Academic employees or retirees can receive a tuition waiver and fee exemption from any of the University of Illinois Universities (UIC, UIS, or UIUC).

Credit Hours Limits

While there is no set limit on the number of units of credit that may be taken by academic employees registered in the Graduate College, it is recommended that the employee-student discuss and determine the appropriate level of hours with both their employing unit and their graduate department.

Limitations

Professors, associate professors, and assistant professors in a department or division of the University may not be admitted to candidacy for an advanced degree in that department or division. Persons engaged in graduate study may not be appointed assistant professor or higher in the department or division where they are engaged in graduate study. Upon special approval of the executive officer of the department or unit involved and the executive committee of the Graduate College, assistant professors and higher ranks may continue to be admitted to advanced degree candidacy in a department or unit other than the one in which they hold an appointment.

Application Procedure

Chicago

University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) employees follow these procedures to apply for a tuition and fee waiver.

  • Enroll in the course. No waiver form is required.
  • The Financial Aid office credits the employee for value of waiver based on appointment criteria in the payroll system.
  • Any questions regarding tuition waivers should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at (312) 996-3126 or at money@uic.edu.

Springfield

University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) employees follow these procedures to apply for a tuition and fee waiver.

  • Enroll in the course(s). No waiver form is required.
  • The Financial Aid office credits the employee for value of waiver based on appointment criteria in the payroll system.
  • Any questions regarding tuition waivers should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at (217) 206-6724 or at finaid@uis.edu.

Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) employees follow these procedures to apply for a tuition and fee waiver.

  • Enroll in the course. No waiver form is required.
  • The campus Tuition and Fee Assessment office waives the tuition based on appointment criteria in the payroll system.
  • Any questions regarding tuition waivers should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at (217) 333-0100.

Cost Recovery and Self-Supporting Programs

The following are cost recovery and self-supporting programs that are not covered by tuition waivers.