Columbia University Human Resources

Procedures: How to Apply

Your Responsibility for Courses Not Covered by Tuition Exemption

You are held responsible for the tuition and fees of any course for which you are registered should that course be deemed ineligible for the Tuition Exemption Benefit. Thus, it behooves you to submit the proper paperwork early so as to avoid any issues or surprises.
 

To all prospective recipients of the Tuition Exemption Benefit:

Effective Summer 2007, you must complete the application process as soon as you register; this means your Tuition Exemption and other materials must be submitted to the Student Service Center within five (5) business days after your school's deadline for dropping courses. If your application is not approved, you will be responsible for any tuition for courses you keep. Human Resources does not accept responsibility for denied coverage if you are found to be ineligible for the benefit.

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Getting Started: Applying for Tuition Exemption

After you have registered for classes, you must apply for your tuition exemption benefit each term by completing the following steps:

First, whether you are a Support Staff member or an eligible family member, you will need to print out your Tuition Exemption from the CU Online Benefits Enrollment System. Family members will need the Support Staff member to print this for them.

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How to Apply: Support Staff

  1. Log in with your UNI and password to print your Tuition Exemption from the CU Online Benefits Enrollment System. If you plan to take a course offered during your working hours, you will need an approval signature from your department head.
  2. If applicable, complete a Job- Related Graduate Course Certification (see “Are Tuition Benefits Taxable?” under "Taxation" at left). The form must be signed and dated by you and your supervisor.
  3. Submit the Tuition Exemption and your signed original form(s) to the Student Service Center, 201 Kent Hall (Morningside) or Student Administrative Services in 1-141 Black Building (Medical Center), as soon as possible after you have registered for each term.
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How to Apply: Spouse or same-sex domestic partner, or children

  1. The Support Staff member of your family must log in with his or her UNI and password to print your Tuition Exemption from the CU Online Benefits Enrollment System. Note: For children who receive tuition benefits through more than one eligible staff member, separate forms must be submitted under each employee’s name. If one parent is a Support Staff member and the other is an Officer, be sure to consult The Tuition Exemption Benefit Program for Faculty and Officers.
  2. The online enrollment system confirms your eligibility. If you do not show up in the system, the Support Staff member needs to submit proof to Human Resources of your relationship, which may consist of the following:
  3. Family members who wish to receive tuition exemption at Columbia as non-degree special students will need to provide additional official documentation showing your degree candidacy at another accredited institution.
  4. Submit the signed original form(s) to the Student Service Center, 201 Kent Hall (Morningside) or Student Administrative Services in 1-141 Black Building (Medical Center), as soon as possible after you have registered for each term.
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Dropping Courses or Withdrawing

Those who do not wish to continue a course must drop the course immediately. While the Tuition Exemption Benefit will cover tuition charges for students who drop or withdraw after the add/drop period, the taxable amount for any graduate courses will remain the same.

Note: Dropping all courses means withdrawing from the University. The University charges a $75 fee for all withdrawals from the University and this fee is not covered by the Tuition Exemption Benefit.

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