HUMAN RESOURCES

You are eligible if you are a full-time, benefits-eligible employee at Northwestern University, with at least three years of continuous, full-time benefits-eligible service, earning less than $100,000 annually before taxes, and are an actively working employee on the University payroll. If you have any questions, please email askHR@northwestern.edu.

Yes, continuous, full-time, benefits-eligible service is required. Continuous, part-time, benefits- eligible service will be pro-rated, provided you are full-time, benefits-eligible at the time you wish to use the benefit.

Time worked as a temporary employee is non-benefits-eligible and does not count. Service years consist of continuous service in benefits-eligible positions only. Part-time, benefits-eligible service will be pro-rated toward the full-time requirement, for example: two years at 50% time would be one year of full-time. Employees must be in a full-time, benefits-eligible position when requesting tuition benefits. For an accurate reporting of your eligibility, please email askHR@northwestern.edu.

To qualify for the Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER) Tuition benefit, you must be an actively working employee, who is currently on the University payroll. Positions with no salary do not meet the requirements.

Yes, the Employee Reduced (ER) Tuition benefit – 90% reduced tuition up to $12,000 per calendar year – is available to all full-time, benefits-eligible employees for classes that begin after their full- time, benefits-eligible hire date.

No, each of the Educational Assistance plans has its own application in the myHR Self ServicePortal. An application is required for each tuition benefit you wish to receive. If you are taking classes using the Employee Reduced (ER) Tuition benefit and reach your three-year anniversary mid-calendar year, please submit an Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER) Tuition benefit application to receive the Enhanced benefit for terms beginning on or after your anniversary date.

Yes, the Employee Reduced (ER) and Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER) Tuition benefit plans are available to all Northwestern schools and courses billed through Student Finance and CAESAR.

Per the IRS, Employee Tuition benefits [Employee Reduced (ER), Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER), Employee Portable (EP), & Employee Certificate (EC)] above $5,250 per calendar year are taxed as non- cash compensation. Dependent Tuition benefits [Dependent Reduced (DRU0/DRU1/DRU2) and Dependent Portable (DP0/DP1)] are not taxable benefits.

The 2023 tuition benefit applications are available through myHR Self Service. For those attending Northwestern, only one application is needed each calendar year (unless your eligibility changes). For those attending schools other than Northwestern, please submit an application each quarter or semester by the appropriate deadlines.

The 2018 Tuition Benefit Enhancements are effective January 1, 2018 for courses starting on or after that date. Classes taken prior to the January 1, 2018 effective date are subject to the tuition benefit plans for the year in which they started. No refunds of 2017 tuition payments are available.

The Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER) Tuition benefit is not retroactive across a degree. You are eligible for the Enhanced Employee Reduced (EER) Tuition benefit if you are a full-time, benefits- eligible employee at Northwestern University, with at least three years of continuous, full-time service, earning less than $100,000 annually before taxes, and are an actively working employee on the University payroll prior to the first day of the class for which you wish to receive the benefit. Courses taken prior to meeting eligibility for this benefit will not receive this benefit.

The reduced tuition benefit will be applied to your account typically within 5-10 business days from when the application was approved or when you enrolled in the course, which ever happens last. If it has already been longer than this, you may have reached the $12,000 employee annual limit. You may contact Student Finance at studentaccounts-ev@northwestern.edu to inquire.

Please apply to the program of interest. Once you are admitted into the program, please submit a tuition benefit application for the applicable term. Enroll in classes when enrollment is available.