40.016:  Educational Benefits for Qualified Dependents

I.   Overview

This policy provides for participation of employee spouses and children in the Ohio University Educational Benefits Program.

Ohio University will provide educational opportunity for spouses and children of active or retired full-time faculty and administrative employees, active or retired full-time classified employees, and graduate students on contract. The benefits under this plan may vary according to the employment status of the employee, and the program applies only to courses offered for credit by the University, including programs offered through independent study. Benefits under this policy shall not be applicable to certain workshops, non-credit courses, audited courses, OPIE courses, EMBA program or special course fees. Fee structures of the University are Subject to change without notice.

In order for the spouse to qualify for this scholarship plan, the employee must be on the payroll by the first day of the semester. (The spouse of a full-time classified employee on layoff status shall be qualified for this scholarship during the period of the layoff).

II.   Spouses and Children of Faculty, Administrative and Classified Employees

Spouses and children of eligible employees may take as many undergraduate or graduate courses as academically permissible, but need not be a full-time student. Sons and daughters, including step-children and legally adopted children of eligible employees are entitled to the benefit. Spouses, widowed persons, and children of eligible employees who retired, have been placed on disability retirement, or died while on eligible employment status shall retain the above educational scholarship. The benefit for spouses and children will be prorated in the same manner as the eligible employee.

A.   Requirements

No particular class standing is necessary for the original awarding of this scholarship except that the student must meet the admission requirements.

Applicants for the Employee Children and Spouse Benefit must reapply each year.

B.   Procedure for Employee Spouses and Children

Ohio University Employees' children and spouses (hereafter referred to as applicants) should request an application as early as possible in the year (March) preceding anticipated fall enrollment. Applicants wishing to commence study in a semester other than the Fall semester should contact University Human Resources as early as possible to ensure that they will be able to receive the benefit.

Each applicant must complete an application, obtained from University Human Resources, requesting the benefit.

The applicant and the Ohio University employee both sign and date the application and applicant returns the completed form to University Human Resources.

If the application is not filed in a timely manner, it will be necessary for the applicant to report to University Human Resources for the fee waiver.

III.   General Information

Additional information may be obtained from University Human Resources

IV.   Fees

The scholarship for eligible dependents of eligible employees is equal to 100% of the instructional fee and no part of the general fee. Additionally, 100% of the non-resident surcharge will be waived where applicable. For dependents of part-time eligible employees, please refer to Policy 41.010.

Reviewers

Proposed revisions of this policy should be reviewed by:

1. Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration

2. Vice Provost for University Outreach

3. Executive Director of Lifelong and Distance Learning

4. Dean of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine

5. Benefits Director

6. Administrative Senate

7. Classified Senate

8. Faculty Senate

Forms, References, and History

A.   Forms

The following forms are specific to this policy:

1. Educational Benefits Request Form; this form is available from University Human Resources, or online at http://www.ohio.edu/hr/forms/index.cfm#e (scroll down to the "E" section).

B.   References

The following items are relevant to this policy:

1. Policy 20.109, "Employing Graduate Students on Contracts," covers any educational benefits that may be provided to dependents of those graduate students; they are not covered by this policy.

2. Policy 40.013, "Domestic Partner Benefits."

3. Policy 40.015, "Educational Benefits for Ohio University Employees."

4. Policy 41.010, "Benefits for Administrative Presidential Appointees."

5. Policy 41.015, "Reduction-in-Force Benefit Programs for Administrators and Classified Staff."

C.   History

Draft versions of this policy that were circulated for review, their cover memos, their forms, and Reviewers' comments on them are available on the password-protected Review site, at https://www.ohio.edu/policy2/40-016/.

The only prior version of this policy was approved on February 1, 1994.