Employee Tuition Support

Program Overview

 

The University of Calgary benefit program provides development opportunities through the tuition support plan. The Tuition Support Program is a benefit available to eligible University of Calgary employees and their eligible dependents, allowing them to participate in academic courses at the University of Calgary at a reduced cost. Eligible employees also have the opportunity to take non-credit courses offered through Continuing Education.

 

Academic Courses

Eligible staff members may use tuition support benefits to support their continued education in academic credit courses offered at the University of Calgary for themselves and their eligible dependents. The staff member must be eligible prior to the start date of the session, but the benefit is paid based on their status on the fee deadline date.

Applications for this benefit must be submitted by the tuition fee deadline for each session according to the academic schedule. The current Fall 2022 session application period is now open. The application form for the Fall 2022 session will be open until the fee deadline of September 23, 2022. You must apply prior to this date.

Approved tuition support benefit amount is placed against the tuition in the session in which the application is received. The maximum benefit is provided in the details below by staff group and refreshes each benefit year (July 1 - June 30). 

As per the Fee Chart, the maximum benefit for an undergraduate half-course is $647.46 and the maximum benefit for a graduate level course is $859.32. The student is responsible to pay the difference between the cost of the course and the benefit amount.

Continuing Education Courses

Eligible staff members may use tuition support benefits towards University of Calgary Continuing Education courses.  Each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course. 

Staff members can bundle any three of the 14-hour Microsoft Office Application courses as equivalent to one Continuing Education course if the registration occurs at the same time.

Tuition support covers the tuition fees only. Applications must be submitted in advance of the start of the course.

Details by Staff Group

Eligibility requirements and benefits are different for each staff group. View the content below to learn more about the eligibility requirements for each staff group. 

Please check eligibility requirements before you apply. Please note that each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course.

  1. Academic Courses*

    Staff Members only

    • Four – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course".
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents

    • Three – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course".
    • Normally, no spouse or dependent child shall be eligible for more than one (1) tuition fee remission benefit in respect of any one academic year. However, if both spouses are staff members, each spouse has full access to the benefits.
    • Where the spouse or dependent child is enrolled as a full-time student, any unspent portion of the tuition fee waiver may be carried forward and added to the subsequent year's entitlement during the four year period starting with the year in which the spouse or dependent child first registers as a full-time student.

     

    Part-time Support Staff

    Prorated as follows: 

    0.80 - 1.00 FTE     100% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.60 - 0.79 FTE      80% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.40 - 0.59 FTE      60% of 4 half-credit course fees

    Dependents

    The maximum tuition support is one half the value of three academic credit courses (half-course equivalent) as outlined in the University of Calgary fee Chart.

  2. Continuing Education Courses*

    Staff Members only

    • Four courses maximum per one benefit year (July 1 - June 30).

    The following guideline will apply:

    • courses submitted with a value of $1 – $1,999 count as one course
    • courses submitted with a value of $2,000 – $2,999 count as two courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $3,000 – $3,999 count as three courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $4,000 – $4,999 count as four courses.

    Tuition Support reimbursement for continuing education courses will not exceed a maximum dollar value of $4,999 for full-time staff members when four courses are used in an academic year.

    Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents are not eligible.

     

    Part-time Support Staff

    Prorated based on full-time equivalent (FTE):

    • 0.8 – 1.00 FTE: 100% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.6 – 0.79 FTE: 80% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.4 – 0.59 FTE: 60% of Tuition Support maximum

Please check eligibility requirements before you apply. Please note that each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course.

  1. Academic Courses*

    Staff Members only

    • Four – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course.
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents

    • Three – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course.
    • Normally no spouse or dependent child shall be eligible for more than one tuition fee remission benefit in respect of any one Academic year. However, if both spouses are staff members, each spouse has full access to the benefits.
    • Where the spouse or dependent child is enrolled as a full-time student, any unspent portion of the tuition fee waiver may be carried forward and added to the subsequent year's entitlement during the four year period starting with the year in which the spouse or dependent child first registers as a full-time student.

     

    Part-time Management and Professional Staff

    Prorated as follows: 

    0.80 - 1.00 FTE     100% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.60 - 0.79 FTE      80% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.40 - 0.59 FTE      60% of 4 half-credit course fees

    Dependents

    The maximum tuition support is one half the value of three academic credit courses (half-course equivalent) as outlined in the University of Calgary fee Chart.

  2. Continuing Education Courses*

    Staff Members Only

    • Four courses maximum per one benefit year (Jul. 1 - Jun. 30).

    The following guideline will apply:

    • courses submitted with a value of $1 – $1,999 count as one course
    • courses submitted with a value of $2,000 – $2,999 count as two courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $3,000 – $3,999 count as three courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $4,000 – $4,999 count as four courses.

    Tuition Support reimbursement for continuing education courses will not exceed a maximum dollar value of $4,999 for full-time staff members when four courses are used in an academic year.

    Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents 

    • Effective January 1, 2022, Management and Professional Staff members can share from one (1) to four (4) Continuing Education courses with any number of their eligible dependents (spouses and/or dependent children).
    • Dependents’ eligibility is based on the staff member eligibility and University of Calgary Continuing Education admission requirements.
    • The combined maximum of Continuing Education courses taken by the staff member and their spouse/dependent children must not exceed the maximum benefit of four (4) courses per one benefit year (July 1 – June 30). All guidelines for staff members apply.
    • When the Continuing Education tuition support benefit is shared with a dependent, the value of the tuition support benefit for courses taken by a spouse or dependents is considered a taxable benefit. The student will be contacted directly if additional information is required. In 2022, the value will be included as a taxable benefit in boxes 14 and 40 of the staff member’s T4. In accordance with the Canada Revenue Agency, CPP and income taxes will be assessed on the additional benefit being reported.
    • Continuing Education will extend the 25% employee discount to the dependent only when the dependent is using the employee’s tuitions support benefit.
    • Staff members and their eligible dependents can register for the same courses. Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next benefit year.
    • There is no coordination of benefits when staff members’ dependents are employed with UCalgary.

     

    Part-time Management and Professional Staff

    Prorated based on full-time equivalent (FTE):

    • 0.8 – 1.00 FTE: 100% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.6 – 0.79 FTE: 80% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.4 – 0.59 FTE: 60% of Tuition Support maximum

Please check eligibility requirements before you apply. Please note that each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course.

  1. Academic Courses*

    Staff Member and Spouse

    • Benefit value of three undergraduate– half- course (3.0 units) equivalent combined with spouse.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian student tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart.
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Eligible Dependent Children 

    • Benefit value of four undergraduate – half-course (3.0 unit) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian student tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart.
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

     

    Part-time Academic Staff Members

    Prorated based on the actual full-time equivalent (FTE); e.g., 0.4 FTE - 40%, 0.75 FTE - 75%, etc.

  2. Continuing Education Courses*

    Staff Members only

    • Three courses maximum per one benefit year (Jul. 1 - Jun. 30).

    The following guideline will apply: 

    • courses submitted with a value of $1 – $1,999 count as one course 
    • courses submitted with a value of $2,000 – $2,999 count as two courses 
    • courses submitted with a value of $3,000 – $3,999 count as three courses.

    Tuition Support reimbursement for continuing education courses will not exceed a maximum dollar value of $3,999 for full-time Academic staff when three (3) courses are used in an academic year Unused Tuition Support for Continuing Education courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents are not eligible. 

     

    Part-time Academic Staff Members

    Prorated based on full-time equivalent (FTE):

    • 0.8 – 1.00 FTE: 100% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.6 – 0.79 FTE: 80% of Tuition Support maximum
    • 0.4 – 0.59 FTE: 60% of Tuition Support maximum

Please check eligibility requirements before you apply. Please note that each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course.

  1. Academic Courses

    Staff Member and Spouse 

    • Benefit value of three undergraduate – half- course (3.0 units) equivalent combined with spouse.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian student tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart.
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents

    • Benefit value of four undergraduate half-course (3.0 units) equivalent
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian student tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart.
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

  2. Continuing Education Courses

    Staff Members only

    • Three courses maximum per one benefit year (Jul. 1 - Jun. 30).

    The following guideline will apply: 

    • courses submitted with a value of $1 – $1,999 count as one course 
    • courses submitted with a value of $2,000 – $2,999 count as two courses 
    • courses submitted with a value of $3,000 – $3,999 count as three courses.

    Tuition Support reimbursement for continuing education courses will not exceed a maximum dollar value of $3,999 for full-time staff when three courses are used in an academic year.

    Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents 

    • Effective August 1, 2022, SLT members can share from one (1) to three (3) Continuing Education courses with any number of their eligible dependents (spouses and/or dependent children).
    • Dependents’ eligibility is based on the staff member eligibility and University of Calgary Continuing Education admission requirements.
    • The combined maximum of Continuing Education courses taken by the staff member and their spouse/dependent children must not exceed the maximum benefit of three (3) courses per one benefit year (July 1 – June 30). All guidelines for staff members apply.
    • When the Continuing Education tuition support benefit is shared with a dependent, the value of the tuition support benefit for courses taken by a spouse or dependents is considered a taxable benefit. The student will be contacted directly if additional information is required. In 2022, the value will be included as a taxable benefit in boxes 14 and 40 of the staff member’s T4. In accordance with the Canada Revenue Agency, CPP and income taxes will be assessed on the additional benefit being reported.
    • Continuing Education will extend the 25% employee discount to the dependent only when the dependent is using the employee’s tuitions support benefit.
    • Staff members and their eligible dependents can register for the same courses. Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next benefit year.
    • There is no coordination of benefits when staff members’ dependents are employed with UCalgary.

Please check eligibility requirements before you apply. Please note that each course counts towards the staff member’s benefit maximum for the academic year (July 1 - June 30) based on the start date of the course.

  1. Academic Courses*

    Full-time Postdoctoral Associates after completion of six (6) months of full-time continuous service after January 1, 2021. For more details please refer to the Collective Agreement.

    Staff Members only

    • Four – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course".
    • Unused Tuition Support for academic credit courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents

    • Three – half-course (3.0 units) equivalent.
    • The maximum benefit is based on the Canadian undergraduate Student Tuition course fee listed in the University of Calgary Fee Chart or graduate courses is denoted as “Course-based: 3-unit course".
    • Normally no spouse or dependent child shall be eligible for more than one tuition fee remission benefit in respect of any one Academic year. However, if both spouses are staff members, each spouse has full access to the benefits.
    • Where the spouse or dependent child is enrolled as a full-time student, any unspent portion of the tuition fee waiver may be carried forward and added to the subsequent year's entitlement during the four-year period starting with the year in which the spouse or dependent child first registers as a full-time student.

     

    Part-time Postdoctoral Associates

    Prorated as follows: 

    0.80 - 1.00 FTE     100% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.60 - 0.79 FTE      80% of 4 half-credit course fees

    0.40 - 0.59 FTE      60% of 4 half-credit course fees

    Dependents

    The maximum tuition support is one half the value of three academic credit courses (half-course equivalent) as outlined in the University of Calgary fee Chart.

  2. Continuing Education Courses*

    Full-time Postdoctoral Associates after completion of six (6) months of full-time continuous service after January 1, 2021. For more details please refer to the Collective Agreement.

    Staff Members only

    • Four courses maximum per one benefit year (Jul. 1 - Jun. 30).

    The following guideline will apply:

    • courses submitted with a value of $1 – $1,999 count as one course
    • courses submitted with a value of $2,000 – $2,999 count as two courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $3,000 – $3,999 count as three courses
    • courses submitted with a value of $4,000 – $4,999 count as four courses.

    Tuition Support reimbursement for continuing education courses will not exceed a maximum dollar value of $4,999 when four courses are used in an academic year.

    Unused Tuition Support for continuing education courses cannot be carried forward into the next academic year.

    Dependents are not eligible.

     

    Part-time Postdoctoral Associates

    Prorated based on full-time equivalent (FTE):

    0.8 – 1.00 FTE:  100% of Tuition Support maximum
    0.6 – 0.79 FTE:  80% of Tuition Support maximum
    0.4 – 0.59 FTE:  60% of Tuition Support maximum

Eligibility

Verify your eligibility for tuition support benefits for yourself or your eligible dependents based on your staff group.

Check Eligibility

Continuing Education Courses

If you are eligible for tuition support benefits and will be taking Continuing Education courses, view the application process to understand the requirements.

Apply for Continuing Education

Academic Courses

If you or your dependants are eligible for tuition support benefits and taking academic credit courses in the upcoming session, view the application process.

Apply for Academic Courses