8.61 – Tuition Remission Program

PART 1: TUITION REMISSION

With appropriate administrative approval from the current employer/supervisor, regular employees and non-regular employees in a term appointment are entitled to take course(s) at the university’s main and community colleges totaling no more than 6 credit hours (supported by regular I & G funding) each fall and 6 credit hours each spring semester without a charge of tuition or the fees included in the tuition rate. No more than a total of 8 credit hours may be taken at the university’s main and community colleges during the summer session. This does not include challenged or nontraditional courses for which the university does not receive formula funding, nor any reciprocal agreements the university might have with other higher education institutions.

1. The legal spouse or domestic partner of the eligible employee may also take the tuition-free courses. Credits not used by the employee may be used by the spouse/qualified domestic partner. The tuition free courses taken by the employee and spouse/domestic partner must not exceed 6 credit hours for the fall and spring semesters, and must not exceed 8 credit hours during the summer session. This benefit is not transferable to another university employee who is eligible for a free course.
2. Employees who take a course during working hours may be required to make up the time spent away from the work station (or take annual leave) unless enrollment is a requirement for continued employment.
3. All courses may be subject to social security federal and state tax withholdings.
4. Staff and spouses/domestic partners who enroll fulltime will be subject to the full-time tuition rate unless the free credit hours reduce their full-time hours below the full-time tuition rate.
5. Other fees not included in the tuition rate (g., fees particular to a given course, late registration fees, graduation fees, thesis fees, etc.) are not included in the waiver. To see a complete list of other fees, please refer to the university college catalog.

PART 2: REGISTRATION

Registration follows the same procedures governing all students. Requests for Tuition Remission will be submitted electronically. Changes to class schedules require a new request to be submitted to ensure the class or classes are covered by the tuition benefit. This benefit does not apply to individuals holding graduate assistantships.

PART 3: APPROVALS AND RESOLUTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

When university faculty or exempt staff members enroll in a program to earn a graduate degree at this university, a potential for conflict of interest may arise as a result of the dual role as student and as a faculty or staff member. Persons in this status must demonstrate that the potential for conflict of interest will not compromise the quality of their program of study. Approval of cognizant department heads and deans will be required. Such programs are approved on a case-by-case basis by the dean of the Graduate School with the concurrence of the provost. When appropriate, the dean may confer with the Graduate Council about the potential for conflict of interest in such programs. The graduate dean may require a specific representative on such a graduate committee, possibly including off-campus representatives, as a condition for approving programs.

PART 4: RETIREE BENEFITS

Retirees of NMSU are eligible for tuition remission benefits. A Retiree Tuition Remission form must be completed and submitted to the Office of Human Resource Services department each semester or summer session the retiree chooses to participate in this benefit. Changes to class schedules require a new form to be completed and submitted to ensure the class or classes are covered by the tuition benefit. Retiree spouses/qualified domestic partners are eligible to take one class if the retiree does not take any classes in the session/semester. Surviving spouses of retirees are not eligible for this benefit. See ARP 8.12 Retirement, Educational for further details.

PART 5: DEPENDENT CHILDREN REDUCED TUITION PROGRAM

1. The program provides a 50% discount on tuition and the fees included in the tuition rate for eligible full-time and part-time students. Other fees not included in the tuition rate (g., fees particular to a given course, late registration fees, graduation fees, thesis fees, etc.) are not included in the discount. To see a complete list of other fees, please refer to the university college catalog.
2. Biological children, adopted children, and legally dependent stepchildren, under age 25 and unmarried, of regular employees, non-regular employees in a term appointment and of official university retirees, are eligible to participate in this program.
   1. The student’s status and the employee’s employment status on the university census date (third Friday of the semester or last day to add or register for summer session courses) will determine participation eligibility.
   2. If the employee’s status changes before the census date, the student will no longer be eligible and the charges will be recalculated.
   3. If the student reaches his/her 25th birthday before the census date, the student will no longer be eligible and the charges will be recalculated.
3. Dependents assessed the New Mexico tuition rates will receive a 50% reduction in tuition with this benefit. Dependents assessed non-resident tuition rates will receive a benefit equivalent to 50% off the New Mexico tuition rates.
4. Students must be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate courses (eligible for undergraduate or graduate tuition) on the main campus or any one of the community colleges.
5. A student enrolled in more than 18 credit hours will be charged the normal overload rate for any credits over 18.
6. Courses eligible for a grade will be included in this program; audited courses and challenged credits will be excluded.
7. The Office of Financial Aid will be informed of a student’s participation in this program. A reduction of the student’s financial aid package may result from the reduced tuition. Information on the possible effect of this program on the student’s financial aid package should be obtained from the student’s financial aid advisor.
8. All eligible dependents enrolled with New Mexico State University or its community colleges will automatically be granted the benefit upon request, except those receiving the Lottery Scholarship or who otherwise do not meet the eligibility criteria.