Human Resources: Retiree Educational Benefits

Retirees

Tuition Benefits

Remitted Tuition
SU provides up to 12 credits per academic year

Retirees may take up to 12 credit hours per academic year at no cost, applicable to graduate or undergraduate courses at SU or University College. Your tuition credits may be transferred to your spouse/same-sex domestic partner, provided he or she is not independently eligible for remitted tuition as a faculty member or employee. Remitted tuition benefits cease upon the retiree's death, unless he or she retired with at least seven years of service at SU, in which case remitted tuition benefits continue for the survivor.

Important Tax Implications for Remitted Tuition:

Remitted tuition benefits used by a SU retiree or his/her spouse for undergraduate level courses are tax-free.
Remitted tuition benefits used by the same-sex domestic partner of an SU retiree for both undergraduate and graduate level courses are taxable.
Remitted tuition benefits used by a SU retiree for graduate level courses are tax-free up to $5,250. Graduate level courses above the $5,250 limit are taxable.
Remitted tuition benefits used by the spouse of a SU retiree for any graduate level courses are taxable.

The University is responsible for collecting the tax in cases where remitted tuition benefits are taxable. SU will bill you for any taxes owed at the time the benefit is used.

SU Dependent Tuition
Full SU tuition for undergraduate study

Full tuition for full- or part-time undergraduate study at SU or University College is available for eligible dependents of eligible retirees. Applicants must meet the University's academic and admission requirements. To be eligible, you must have seven years of continuous full-time employment or the part-time equivalent at SU prior to retirement. Upon the retiree's death, the dependent tuition benefit continues to be available for his or her dependent children. Consult the Education Benefits, Dependent Tuition policy on the Syracuse University policies website for complete provisions.

Utica College

For dependents of Syracuse University retirees who are enrolled full-time at Utica College as of the spring 2009 semester, the current tuition benefit will continue in accordance with the eligibility and other requirements detailed in the Education Benefits, Dependent Tuition policy.

The SU dependent tuition program will not be an option for dependents of Syracuse University retirees who wish to enroll in Utica College for the first time after spring semester 2009. However, dependents may apply for tuition assistance through the Tuition Exchange program, of which Utica College is a member.

Tuition Exchange for Dependents
Allowable amount determined by Tuition Exchange Inc. for undergraduate study at participating colleges or universities

SU is a member of Tuition Exchange, Inc., and eligible dependent children of eligible retirees may apply for Tuition Exchange privileges from participating institutions. Admission and tuition are not guaranteed. Tuition Exchange scholarships are awarded by participating member institutions according to their own criteria. Dependents who are denied a Tuition Exchange scholarship may be eligible to receive a cash grant (see "Cash Grants for Dependent" below). The value and duration of a Tuition Exchange award may be restricted. A list of participating institutions is available online. To be eligible you must have seven years of continuous full-time employment or the part-time equivalent at SU prior to retirement. Upon the retiree's death, the Tuition Exchange benefit remains available for his or her dependent children. Consult the Education Benefits, Dependent Tuition policy on the Syracuse University policies website for complete provisions.

Cash Grants for Dependents
SU provides up to $2,500 annually for undergraduate tuition

Cash grants of up to $2,500 a year to attend an accredited college or university that does not participate in the Tuition Exchange program (up to $1,250 per semester, payable directly to the institution) is available for eligible dependents of eligible retirees. In addition, dependents who are denied a Tuition Exchange scholarship may be eligible to receive a cash grant. To be eligible, you must have seven years of continuous full-time employment or the part-time equivalent at SU prior to retirement. Upon the retiree's death, the cash grant benefit continues to be available for his or her dependent children. Consult the Education Benefits, Dependent Tuition policy on the Syracuse University policies website for complete provisions.

The benefits listed above apply as indicated to retired and emeritus faculty and retired staff members of Syracuse University. All benefits programs are subject to change. In the event of a conflict between the above information and actual plan documents, the plan documents will rule.