Office of Human Resources

Eligible employees may enroll in Brandeis University undergraduate courses through the School of Arts and Sciences on a space-available basis and receive up to 100% tuition remission.

Employees may take courses for academic credit equivalent to one course (4 credits) per academic term up to a maximum of 12 credits per calendar year. Staff may be given permission to take up to 8 credits in one semester upon receipt of written request from their supervisor/department head with the understanding that a maximum of 12 credits will be approved in one calendar year. Tuition remission does not extend to fees, which include registration, matriculation, and late and special course fees.

If courses fall during normal work hours, employees must receive permission from their supervisor and make arrangements with their supervisor or department head to make up missed work time. 

Eligibility

• Full-time staff and faculty are eligible to receive 100% tuition remission for one Brandeis University course per semester.
• Full-time staff members who work an academic year (35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year) are eligible to receive 100% tuition remission for two Brandeis University courses per calendar year (one per semester).
• Benefits-eligible, part-time staff and faculty are eligible to receive prorated tuition remission for one course per semester. The tuition discount is equal to the employee's full-time equivalency (FTE) rate. For example, an employee who is considered 0.60 FTE would receive a 60% tuition reduction.

Application Procedures

1. First, download the 2024/2025 Employee Tuition Remission and Tax Waiver Application (pdf). Complete the Employee Information, Course Information and Tuition Remission Tax sections and send to Human Resources to determine eligibility. 
2. Once eligibility is determine the application will be returned to the employee to obtain all the required signatures, with the Registrar's signature last. The Registrar will register the employee for the course(s).  
3. Return the application to the Human Resources Benefits Team. The Director of Benefits grants approval for all tuition-remission requests. 

Course Registration and Billing 

The application for tuition remission is due no later than the last day of the “add/drop” period for the course. Employees must follow the academic regulations as stated in the Bulletin and the deadlines indicated on the academic calendar.

The university registrar enrolls all employees as “special students.” Since regular students receive preference for available seats, applications for tuition remission do not guarantee enrollment for employees. Employees wishing to matriculate in a Brandeis degree program must contact the appropriate admissions office about enrollment requirements.

The Human Resources Benefits Team will notify Student Financial Services of the amount of tuition remission the employee will receive and Student Financial Systems will credit the employee’s account. Tuition-remission benefits do not extend to any registration fees or late or special course fees.

If an employee received a prorated tuition-remission benefit, he or she will be responsible for the remainder of the charges on their student account.

Eligible employees may enroll in Brandeis University graduate-level courses on a space-available basis and receive up to 100% tuition remission. Courses may be taken from any of the university schools:

• Brandeis International Business School
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• Heller School for Social Policy and Management
• Rabb School of Continuing Studies

Employees may take courses for academic credit equivalent to one course (4 credits) per academic term up to a maximum of 12 credits per calendar year. Staff may be given permission to take up to 8 credits in one semester upon receipt of written request from their supervisor/department head with the understanding that a maximum of 12 credits will be approved in one calendar year. Tuition remission does not extend to fees, which include registration, matriculation, and late and special course fees.

If courses fall during normal work hours, employees must receive permission from their supervisor and make arrangements with their supervisor or department head to make up missed work time. 

Due to the duration, cost and credits, we will count two module courses (course numbers ending in “f”) in the Heller School and the Brandeis International Business School as one regular course for the purposes of tuition-remission eligibility.

Eligibility

• Full-time staff and faculty are eligible to receive 100% tuition remission for one Brandeis University course per semester.
• Full-time staff members who work an academic year (35 hours per week, 39 weeks per year) are eligible to receive 100% tuition remission for two Brandeis University courses per calendar year (one per semester).
• Benefits-eligible, part-time staff and faculty are eligible to receive prorated tuition remission for one course per semester. The tuition discount is equal to the employee's full-time equivalency (FTE) rate. For example, an employee who is considered 0.60 FTE would receive a 60% tuition reduction.

Application Procedures

1. First, download the 2024/2025 Employee Tuition Remission and Tax Waiver Application (pdf). Complete the Employee Information, Course Information and Tuition Remission Tax sections and send to Human Resources to determine eligibility. 
2. Once eligibility is determine the application will be returned to the employee to obtain all the required signatures, with the Registrar's signature last. The Registrar will register the employee for the course(s).  
3. Return the application to the Human Resources Benefits Team. The Director of Benefits grants approval for all tuition-remission requests. 

Course Registration and Billing 

The application for tuition remission is due no later than the last day of the “add/drop” period for the course. Employees must follow the academic regulations as stated in the Bulletin and the deadlines indicated on the academic calendar.

The university registrar enrolls all employees as “special students.” Since regular students receive preference for available seats, applications for tuition remission do not guarantee enrollment for employees. Employees wishing to matriculate in a Brandeis degree program must contact the appropriate admissions office about enrollment requirements.

The Human Resources Benefits Team will notify Student Financial Services of the amount of tuition remission the employee will receive and Student Financial Systems will credit the employee’s account. Tuition-remission benefits do not extend to any registration fees or late or special course fees.

If an employee received a prorated tuition-remission benefit, he or she will be responsible for the remainder of the charges on their student account.

Taxation of Graduate-Level Tuition Benefits

The federal and Massachusetts state governments mandate that any tuition remission received for graduate-level courses that are not job-related are subject to state, federal and FICA taxation once the total amount of benefits exceeds $5,250 in a calendar year.  If the selected course(s) is (are) job-related, there is no taxation at all at the state or federal level.

Tax-Exemption Request for Graduate-Level Courses

All employees declaring that they are taking job-related graduate-level courses at Brandeis University must have their supervisor complete the last part of the "Tuition Remission Taxation" section of the 2024/2025 Employee Tuition Remission and Tax Waiver Application (pdf).

Taxes must be deducted in the current calendar year. If you notify us of your intention to take a taxable course and there is limited time until Dec. 31 of the current year, we reserve the right to readjust the taxable gross amount on your W-2 form in order to comply with federal and/or state law.

Spouses of full-time employees may enroll in Brandeis University undergraduate courses on a space-available basis and receive a 75% tuition remission. Courses may be taken through either the School of Arts and Sciences or the Summer School program in the Rabb School of Continuing Studies.

Employee spouses may take one course per semester, for a total of three courses per calendar year. A fourth course is possible if both summer semester courses are taken during both Summer School sessions. Tuition remission does not extend to any registration fees or late and special course fees.

Eligibility

The student must be the legal spouse of a full-time employee who has been employed consecutively at Brandeis University for at least three months. Spouses of part-time employees are not eligible for this benefit.

Course Registration and Billing

1. First, register your spouse for classes. Note: Registration for Summer School classes is done directly with the Summer School office at 781-736-3424.
2. Complete the 2024/2024 Tuition Remission Application for Qualified Dependents of Employees (pdf) and obtain the required signatures as specified in the "Course Registration" section at the bottom of the form. (Courses taken through the Summer School program do not require a signature.)
3. Submit the form to the Human Resources Benefits Team. The director of benefits grants approval for all tuition-remission requests. 
4. Spouses are considered as “special students” unless they formally matriculate in a Brandeis University degree program.
5. The student will be responsible for any remaining balance left on their student account.

Dependent children of qualifying staff may receive a 75% tuition-remission benefit after being accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University. Graduate study does not apply.

This benefit is applicable to tuition only and does not include room and board or any other expenses. This benefit is limited to four undergraduate academic years or eight undergraduate semesters, which need not be consecutive. The benefit also applies to Brandeis undergraduate degree program study-abroad programs.

Scholarships and other types of tuition remission may reduce this benefit. The combination of any merit award(s) and tuition benefits may not exceed tuition. Any tuition benefit will be part of the need-based calculation.

Eligibility Guidelines

• The staff member must have completed four years of consecutive full-time employment (35 hours per week for 52 weeks a year) by Sept. 1 of the application year. For those staff who complete their four years of consecutive full-time employment after Sept. 1, prorated tuition-remission applies.
  • Eligibility criteria met by Oct. 1: 75% tuition benefit for that semester will be reduced by 25%.
  • Eligibility criteria met by Nov. 1: 75% tuition benefit for that semester will be reduced by 50%.
  • Eligibility criteria met by Dec. 1: 75% tuition benefit for that semester will be reduced by 75%.
  • Employees who complete four years of consecutive full-time employment by Jan. 1 after their dependent's initial academic semester may be granted a 75% tuition remission for the second semester and the remaining three academic years.
• The student is natural-born or adopted; a foster child who has lived in the employee’s home for five years and been primarily supported by the employee; or a stepchild.
• The student meets all requirements and is accepted by the Brandeis Admissions Committee as a full-time matriculated undergraduate student.

Application Process

• Eligible staff must complete the 2024/2025 Tuition Remission Application for Staff's Dependent (pdf).
• Applications must be completed and forwarded to the Benefits Team in Human Resources a minimum of two months prior to the semester for which the tuition remission is desired.
• A photocopy of the top portion of the latest IRS form, listing the student as a dependent, must be submitted before the tuition remission benefit will be granted. Staff members must reapply for this benefit every academic year.

Tuition remission for dependent children is available on a space-available basis for courses in the Rabb School's Summer School or Precollege programs.

• High school or college-aged dependent children may take one course per Summer School program session and receive a 50% tuition remission per course.
• Upon acceptance to the precollege program, eligible high school dependent children may be granted one-third tuition remission.

Eligibility

• The student must be the dependent child of a full-time faculty or staff member who has been employed at Brandeis University for at least three consecutive months.
• Proof of dependency under IRS regulations is required for all applications.

Application Process

• Register your student for classes at the Summer School or Precollege Programs website.
• Complete 2024/2025 Tuition Remission Application for Qualified Dependents of Employees (pdf).
• Submit the completed form to the HR Benefits Team, along with a copy of the top portion of your latest IRS form listing the name of your dependents.

Dependent children of eligible full-time faculty members (excluding full-time faculty in the Rabb School) may receive tuition-remission benefits when they are accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University.

These benefits are applicable to tuition only and do not include room and board or any other expenses. These benefits are applicable for four undergraduate academic years, or eight undergraduate semesters, which need not be consecutive. If both parents are employed by the university, the dependent child will only receive benefits under one parent. These benefits do not apply to graduate study.

Eligibility

All of the following criteria must be met to qualify for tuition-remission benefits:

1. One of the parents meets one of the following:
   • Full-time professor, associate professor, assistant professor, research professor, associate research professor, assistant research professor, professor of the practice, associate professor of the practice, distinguished scientist, senior scientist or senior fellow at Brandeis University.
   • Full-time instructor, senior lecturer, lecturer; artist in residence; or any faculty member who holds "in-residence" status (except those who have an affiliation only with a center or institute) who has completed three years of full-time service.
   • Deceased or retired by Brandeis University in July 1969 or later, and on the date of death or retirement such parent was a full-time professor, associate professor or assistant professor of the university and had been in its employment for a period of five years or more.
   • Full-time member of the senior management group.
2. The student is a natural born citizen, adopted, foster child or stepchild. A foster child must have resided in the employee’s home for five years prior to enrollment, and the employee must have supported the foster child. Proof of dependency under IRS regulations is required.
3. The student meets all requirements and is accepted by the admissions committee as a full-time matriculated student in the undergraduate program.

Tuition-Remission Benefit

Dependent children of eligible faculty members who are accepted into Brandeis University’s undergraduate program are eligible for 75% tuition remission of the university’s tuition charge. This benefit is applicable to tuition only and does not include room and board or any other expenses. The combination of any scholarship(s) / merit award(s) and tuition benefits may not exceed tuition. Any tuition benefit will be part of the need-based calculation.

Application Process

• Eligible faculty members must complete the 2024/2025 Tuition Remission Application for Faculty and SMG Dependent (pdf).
• All applications must be completed and forwarded to the Human Resources Benefits Team a minimum of two months prior to the semester for which the tuition remission is desired.
• A photocopy of the top portion of the latest IRS form listing the student as a dependent must be submitted before the tuition remission benefit will be granted. Faculty members must reapply for this benefit every academic year.

Junior Year Abroad Students

Room and board charges may be reimbursed if tuition charges are less than the maximum payable amounts, as listed above. Any tuition remission payment used for room and board will, however, be taxable. It should be noted that any grant used for room and board would be taxable whether or not benefits under this plan are deemed to be tax-free to the faculty member.

Please note: In past years, under relevant tax guidance, the value of certain tuition assistance payments made to "highly compensated faculty" were considered compensation and taxed accordingly. However, early in 1995, the university was advised by legal counsel that the benefits may be treated reasonably as exempt from federal and state incomes. While Brandeis University believes the nontaxable interpretation is correct, the university cannot be certain the IRS or the Massachusetts Department of Revenue will accept this treatment of benefits. It is possible that at some future date, the university may reverse this decision and treat tuition benefits received by highly compensated faculty as taxable income.

Dependent children of eligible faculty or senior management can receive tuition remission when they are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited college or university other than Brandeis leading to an undergraduate academic degree.

Eligibility

• Full-time faculty who hold the title of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, lecturer, instructor or artist-in-residence and were hired on or after Jan. 1, 1985,

• Full-time senior scientist or senior fellow.
• Full-time faculty who hold the title of research professor, associate research professor, assistant research professor, professor of the practice, associate professor of the practice or senior lecturer, or faculty who hold "in-residence" status (effective July 1, 2008).
• Full-time member of the senior management group.

Note: Sabbatical leave time is included in the calculation of service for the purpose of eligibility under conditions stated above. Other leaves of absence are not considered in computing service.

Benefit

Tuition remission of $3,500 per year or 75% of an institution’s tuition, whichever is less, for four undergraduate years. Other tuition remission, including scholarships received by the student, may reduce the benefit as to not exceed the tuition of the institution.

Application and Payment Process

• Eligible faculty or senior management member must complete the 2024/2025 Tuition Remission Application - Attending Other Institutions for Faculty/SGM Dependent (pdf).
• All applications must be completed and include a copy of the top portion of the employee’s latest IRS tax document listing the student as their dependent child. 
• All applications must be forwarded to the Benefits Team of the Office of Human Resources at least two months prior to the start of the semester for which tuition remission is desired. 
• Upon receipt of the application, a letter and form will be sent to the school to verify the student’s full-time attendance and the tuition charges. To expedite this process, the faculty member or senior manager can have the student's school complete the student verification form (found on Page 3 of the 2024/2025 Verification of Tuition and Student Status (PDF)) and submit it to the Benefits Team with the completed application.
• Once all required information is received, the Benefits Team will arrange with accounts payable to send payments directly to the institution.
• Faculty and senior management members must reapply each academic year for this benefit.
• Faculty and senior management members will receive confirmation of the approved tuition remission via email.

Junior Year Abroad Students

Room and board charges may be reimbursed if tuition charges are less than the maximum payable amounts, as listed above. Any tuition remission payment used for room and board will, however, be taxable. It should be noted that any grant used for room and board would be taxable whether or not benefits under this plan are deemed to be tax-free to the faculty member.

Please note: In past years, under relevant tax guidance, the value of certain tuition assistance payments made to "highly compensated faculty" were considered compensation and taxed accordingly. However, early in 1995, the university was advised by legal counsel that the benefits may be treated reasonably as exempt from federal and state incomes. While Brandeis University believes the nontaxable interpretation is correct, the university cannot be certain the IRS or the Massachusetts Department of Revenue will accept this treatment of benefits. It is possible that at some future date, the university may reverse this decision and treat tuition benefits received by highly compensated faculty as taxable income.

Tuition remission for dependent children is available on a space-available basis for courses in the Rabb School's Summer School or Precollege programs.

• High school or college-aged dependent children may take one course per Summer School program session and receive a 50% tuition remission per course.
• Upon acceptance to the precollege program, eligible high school dependent children may be granted one-third tuition remission.

Eligibility

• The student must be the dependent child of a full-time faculty or staff member who has been employed at Brandeis University for at least three consecutive months.
• Proof of dependency under IRS regulations is required for all applications.

Application Process

• Register your student for classes at the Summer School or Precollege Programs website.
• Complete 2024/2025 Tuition Remission Application for Qualified Dependents of Employees (pdf).
• Submit the completed form to the HR Benefits Team, along with a copy of the top portion of your latest IRS form listing the name of your dependents.