Human Resources

Tuition Waiver Guidelines

Educational Benefits - Board of Trustee regulation II.C.7.h

Tuition and fee waivers are granted up to the credit hour maxima (see chart below) to employees in status positions who enroll in courses at Western Illinois University. Employees on probation (with supervisor approval), seasonal layoff, disability, or temporary leave are eligible. (See Educational Benefits BOT regulation II.c.7.)

CREDIT HOUR MAXIMUM

Status Academic Term Annual
Full Time Employee 6 credit hours 18 credit hours
3/4 Time Employee 4 credit hours 12 credit hours
1/2 Time Employee 3 credit hours 9 credit hours
WIU Retiree 3 credit hours 9 credit hours

Any credit hour taken over the credit hour maximum is the employee’s responsibility. Employees are encouraged to enroll in courses having scheduled class hours outside their scheduled work hours. For courses held during the employee's work schedule, the employee may be excused to attend classes subject to a maximum of 4 clock hours per week or the number of clock hours required to attend one course, whichever is greater. This would include classes taken during the lunch hour. Requests for excused absences to attend classes must have supervisor approval.

  1. A waiver of tuition and fees for Civil Service employees applies only to courses for credit or courses for audit.
  2. Waiver of tuition and fees applies to Distance Learning credit courses as well as to courses regularly taught on campus.
  3. Fees that are to be waived in addition to tuition are credit evaluation fees, university fees, transcript fees, telecourse fees, orientation fees and Distance Learning Charges. Fees related to proficiency examinations and laboratory fees are not included in this list and are not waived.
  4. Employees granted release time to attend class shall make up the time at the discretion and approval of the supervisor by working outside regularly scheduled hours or deducting time spent in class from the employee’s vacation and/or comp hours balance. Break time cannot be used to make-up time.
  5. Employee must be employed the beginning of the academic term.
  6. Employees utilizing the 6 credit hour education benefit are not eligible for on-campus housing accommodations or student health insurance.
  7. Tuition and fee waivers may be subject to taxation.

Withdrawal and/or Other Class Schedule Changes

It is the employee’s responsibility to understand and follow Western Illinois University policy and procedure regarding class withdrawals and/or make other class schedule changes. Withdrawals and/or other schedule changes could result in additional payments owed to the University. Employees must initiate withdrawal and/or other class schedule changes within the appropriate timelines established by the University. More Information