One of the many benefits available to Johns Hopkins employees is the Tuition Grant Plan. After completing two consecutive years of full-time employment, university employees become eligible for this benefit. JHU retirees also may participate in the plan if at the time of retirement they have reached age 55 and completed 10 consecutive years of full-time employment with the university.

Employees on leave of absence may participate in this plan if their leave does not exceed one year and they plan to return to full-time status with the university. Employees with fewer than two years of full-time employment may also participate in the plan if they come from a college or university where they were eligible for a similar benefit and can provide proof of eligibility.

The Tuition Grant Plan covers 50 percent of each dependent's full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory academic fees, up to a maximum of one-half the cost of Hopkins' freshman undergraduate tuition ($23,660 for FY 00). Children are deemed to be eligible for the plan if they are a dependent of the JHU employee, pursuing full-time undergraduate studies and under age 26. Effective Jan. 1, 1999, dependent children of domestic partners are also eligible to participate in the Tuition Grant Plan. A JHU affidavit of marriage/domestic partnership must be filed with the Office of Benefits Administration.

Dependent children may attend any degree-granting, accredited institution. Tuition Grant payments are limited to four years and do not include room and board costs, part-time study or graduate study. Further, payments cannot be made to accredited institutions that do not offer degrees but instead issue diplomas or certificates. Please note that the university reserves the right to request evidence of the dependent status of persons listed on the tuition grant application.

To participate, eligible employees must submit a completed Tuition Grant Plan application to Training and Education (address on form). The forms for the 1999-2000 academic year will be available in the divisional Human Resources offices beginning May 15. Employees are encouraged to submit completed applications at least three weeks prior to the school's deadline for payment. Questions concerning the Tuition Grant Plan should be directed to Training and Education at 410-516-6810.

A series of three-hour information sessions about Hopkins' educational assistance plans have been scheduled for May and June. The agenda items are Tuition Remission, Tuition Reimbursement, Staff Development Remission and Tuition Grant (eligibility and current policy).

Hopkins employees who are interested in attending a session, available at no charge, are asked to send an email notification to TRAININGEDMAIL@jhuadig.admin.jhu.edu indicating your 1) name, 2) Social Security number, 3) department, 4) department telephone and fax numbers, 5) the dates that you are available and 6) the topic(s) you would like to learn more about. You may also fax your notification to 410-516-6812. A confirmation notice will be sent via email or fax. The dates are as follows:

May 17, East Baltimore,
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

May 18, Homewood,
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

June 9, East Baltimore,
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.

June 14, Homewood,
9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.