Procedures for Certificate Holders

Procedures for Certificate Holders

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT

PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATE HOLDERS

  • For course work leading to a Master’s Degree, the course work must be part of a relevant graduate program. A program outline with advisors’ signature or letter from college stating graduate status approved by Human resources, in advance of enrollment. Enrollment in a graduate program does not obligate the employee to complete the program to be eligible for tuition reimbursement. The graduate program may be altered, once started with the approval of the college by notifying Human Resources in writing of the change(s) with the advisor’s signature. Submit a form for “Course Work Leading to a Master’s Degree”.
  • For course work which does not lead to a Master’s Degree, course work must still be relevant to the employee’s professional assignment/area(s) of certification. Eligibility for tuition reimbursement must be approved prior to registration for each course, or for each course in a series. Submit a form for “Certificated Staff Not Enrolled in an Approved Master’s Program” to Human Resources for pre-approval prior to registration in the courseto determine eligibility for reimbursement.
  • CCPS offers direct billing with McDaniel College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, and Towson University. Prior approval is required by completingthe appropriate form as listed above submitted and approved no later than 14 days from the first day of the semester. (i.e., Semester begins May 1 direct billing pre-payment request must be received and approved by Human Resources by close of business May 14).
  • Books, college fees, etc. are not reimbursable.
  • Course work “Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree” – if the grade is not a “C” or better, the employee will be responsible for the tuition payment to the College/University and no monies will be reimbursed to the employee from Charles County Public Schools.
  • Course work “Beyond the Master’s Degree” – if the grade is not a “B” or better, the employee will be responsible for the tuition payment to the College/University and no monies will be reimbursed to the employee from Charles County Public Schools.
  • Part of the intent of Tuition Reimbursement is to provide employees with training and knowledge that may help in the performance of employees’ duties for Charles County Public Schools. Ifan employee either fails to complete the course as stated above or receives a “D” or a failing final grade for the course or leaves employment with Charles County Public Schools prior to receiving reimbursement for the course, the employee will not be eligible for reimbursement for the course. In addition, in the event an employee leaves employment with Charles County Public Schools within one year of completing any course for whichthe employee was reimbursed,the employee is responsible for repaying the amount reimbursed tothe employee for that course. Specifically, the amount reimbursed to the employee may automatically be withheld fromthe employee’s final pay. Further, the employee is responsible for repaying, in full, any remaining balance due after any deduction from the employee’s final pay by no later than thirty (30) days after termination of employment.
  • Employees shall not exceed $2,225 per fiscal year (credit limit removed) - (July 1 - June 30). To ensure that eligible persons will receive tuition reimbursement for any fiscal year, all documentation to support claims MUST be submitted to Human resources by June 30 of that year. Course work must be requisitioned for payment during the appropriate fiscal year and cannot be carried over from one year to another. Course work completed late in the fiscal year for which original documentation of successful completion is not available, must be submitted for processing by June 30 of the appropriate fiscal year so that funds may be encumbered.
  • In the event an employee cannot be reimbursed because of budget limitations or over expenditure, the employee will be paid priorto new claimants, from the next fiscal year.
  • Upon successful completion of the course work, an Application for Tuition ReimbursementMUSTbe submitted to Human Resources to initiate processing. Processing generally takes 10-14 business days and reimbursement will be in accordance with current Accounts Payable Guidelines.Attach itemized documentation of tuition charges for audit purposes and original grade slip or official transcript. The tuition charges must be itemized to clearly indicate tuition charges separated from fees, books, etc. which are not reimbursable.
  • Upon successful completion of a degree program, an official Master’s Degree transcript reflecting the degree and date conferred must be sent to Human Resources to initiate the Master’s salary change. The official transcriptis also required by the Maryland State Department of Education to reflect the Master’s Degree on the teaching certificate.

For more information about tuition reimbursement you can contact Beth Cusic at .

For information about your certification status or review for endorsement you would contact:

  • Teresa Cook, – if your last name begins with A-K
  • Barbara Simmons, – if your last name begins with L-Z

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