Educational Privileges

Educational privileges are available to regular, full-time faculty or staff members, their spouses, and their unmarried children. The grant-in aid is for 75% of the tuition charge and applies to Penn State resident instruction and continuing education credit courses. (See University policies HR-36 and HR-37 for a more definitive statement.) There are features of this which should be noted:

The educational privileges apply to all resident instruction and continuing education credit courses except the professional curriculum such as those offered at the College of Medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the Smeal College of Business Administration Executive MBA Program, and the Dickinson School of Law. Education privileges do not apply at summer camps or workshops operated by the University unless University credit is given and regular tuition is charged.
A faculty or staff member is eligible the semester which begins with or next follows the effective date of full-time employment. The grant-in-aid is provided for a maximum 16 credits per academic year for a person on a 12-month appointment and 12 credits during the two semesters of service for a person appointed for just the Fall and Spring semesters. For purposes of this policy, the academic year begins with the summer session. All levels of degree may be earned.
A spouse, except one receiving educational assistance from the University, such as a graduate assistantship, is eligible for the grant-in-aid beginning two years or later from the employee's date of regular employment. There is no limitation on the number of credits that may be taken. All levels of degrees may be earned.
Unmarried children are eligible beginning with the semester coincident with or next following the faculty or staff member's effective date of full-time employment. The grant-in-aid applies only until a dependent child receives the bachelor's degree from Penn State or any other college or university.
Faculty or staff exempt personnel who are permanently assigned to locations away from University Park may apply during periods of regular employment for financial aid to pursue graduate study at other institutions within reasonable commuting distance of their locations. To be eligible for this privilege, the person must have prior approval, be enrolled or enrolling as an advanced degree candidate, and not be able to pursue a similar graduate program through The Pennsylvania State University. When approved, the University will reimburse the faculty or staff member for one-half of that institution's tuition or academic charges. The total reimbursement during any one academic year (July 1 through June 30) shall not exceed the value of 75% of 16 Penn State credits. (See University policy HR-65 for a more definitive statement.)