El Paso County’s Tuition Reimbursement Program helps eligible employees invest in their education while growing their careers. The questions below cover program eligibility, requirements, qualifying expenses, and other important information to help you make the most of this benefit.
Getting Started
Full-time, regular employees are eligible for the Tuition Reimbursement Program if they have not been on a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) or received disciplinary action, as outlined in Chapter 7 of the El Paso County Personnel Policies Manual, within 12 months before completing their course(s).
Participation is subject to available funding.
The Personnel Policies Manual can be found on the Human Resources Website.
CLICK HERE to view the full Tuition Reimbursement Guidelines and Procedures document.
Visit the Employee Benefits Tuition Reimbursement Webpage to access Tuition Reimbursement documents and links.
To submit your Tuition Reimbursement application, you will complete the following steps.Step 1. Review the Tuition Reimbursement Guidelines in their entirety.
Step 2. Complete the Tuition Reimbursement Form Phase 1 no later than two (2) weeks after starting a course.
Documentation needed to complete this form:
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- Syllabus for each course
- Financial aid information – if receiving grants, scholarships, stipends, or other reimbursements
Step 3. If Phase 1 form is approved, complete the Tuition Reimbursement Form Phase 2 no later than 30 days after the completion of the course/term. Do not move to this step until Phase 1 has been approved.
Documentation needed to complete this form:
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- Unofficial transcript identifying satisfactory completion of the course(s).
- Itemized bill from the educational institution documenting all incurred expenses. Must include payments from grants, scholarships, stipends, and other reimbursements, if applicable.
To be considered for Tuition Reimbursement, submit the required application and supporting documentation no later than 2 weeks after your course begins.
There are no requirements before enrolling in a course.
The Tuition Reimbursement Program application is a 2-part process.
Phase 1. To participate, complete and submit the required form and supporting documentation no later than 2 weeks from the start of your course.
The El Paso County Employee Benefits Division will review the submission and make a decision on pre-qualification.Phase 2. If pre-qualified, complete and submit the required form and supporting documentation no later than 30 days after the completion of the course for review and approval of Tuition Reimbursement.
Phase 1. Documentation needed to complete this form:
- Syllabus for each course
- Financial aid information – if receiving grants, scholarships, stipends, or other reimbursements
Phase 2: Documentation needed to complete this form:
- Unofficial transcript identifying satisfactory completion of the course(s).
- Itemized bill from the educational institution documenting all incurred expenses. Must include payments from grants, scholarships, stipends, and other reimbursements, if applicable.
Eligible Schools & Expenses
Only an accredited educational institution or program is eligible. To determine whether an educational institution is accredited, visit the U.S. Department of Education website.
Tuition Reimbursement is only for the cost of tuition (cost per credit hour).
Scholarships, grants, or any other reimbursements will be subtracted from the cost of tuition.
Tuition Reimbursement is only for the cost of tuition (cost per credit hour).
General exclusions include the following:
- Taxes
- Fees
- Textbooks
- School supplies (e.g., computer, tablet, notebooks, pencils)
- Transportation
- Room and board
- Debts or loans from previous terms
- Tuition for which the employee receives a scholarship, grant, or other reimbursement that covers the cost of tuition (tuition amounts remaining after scholarship, grants, etc. have applied would be eligible)
No. Employees may request tuition reimbursement for eligible courses even if they are not pursuing a degree.
Yes. You don’t have to be pursuing education directly related to your current job. As long as the coursework is in a field where the County typically recruits employees, it may qualify for Tuition Reimbursement. Eligible programs include professional certificates, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
Some may qualify.
Courses through an accredited educational institution qualify for Tuition Reimbursement.
Testing fees to obtain a professional certificate or license do not qualify for Tuition Reimbursement. These costs should be reviewed for approval by the head of department/office or designee and paid for from their budget.
If your scholarships, grants, and/or other reimbursements amount to less than the full cost of tuition, that remaining amount qualifies for tuition reimbursement up to the applicable term maximum.
Reimbursement Process
Employees may be eligible to receive up to $5,250 per calendar year. Course term length maximums are provided below.
- Up to 11 weeks: $1,312.50 maximum
- 12-14 weeks: $1,750 maximum
- 15+ weeks: $2,625 maximum
Tuition Reimbursement is dependent on the amount appropriated in the calendar year’s budget. There is no guaranteed distribution of funds; it is expressly subject to availability.
There is no limit in number of courses, however there are reimbursement limits based on course term length.
Course term length maximums are provided below.
- Up to 11 weeks: $1,312.50 maximum
- 12-14 weeks: $1,750 maximum
- 15+ weeks: $2,625 maximum
Tuition Reimbursement is dependent on the amount appropriated in the calendar year’s budget. There is no guaranteed distribution of funds; it is expressly subject to availability.
Allow 4 weeks from your completed submission of the Phase 2 form for a decision notice (approval/payment or denial). A decision notice will be sent to you via Microsoft Teams and your County email inbox. If approved, the notice will provide the date you can expect payment.
Employment Requirements
Corrective Action Plan (CAP) and disciplinary information can be found in Chapter 7 of the El Paso County Personnel Policies Manual which is located on the Human Resources Website.
If you leave the County for any reason, other than a layoff, you’ll be required to repay 100% of any Tuition Reimbursement you received during the 12 months before your employment ends.
Any repayment will be deducted from your final paycheck. If your final paycheck doesn’t cover the full amount, you must repay the remaining balance or sign a payment arrangement within three (3) days of your separation.