Employee Tuition Policy: Workforce Development Division

To support the professional and personal growth of employees, Northampton Community College offers two benefit programs for those who desire to take classes through CMED. The programs are Tuition Waiver and Tuition Reimbursement, with specific guidelines for each.

Definitions

• Administered by the College: refers to CMED educational offerings that are organized, delivered, and overseen directly by the college. These courses are typically taught by college faculty, administrators or approved instructors, and follow the institution’s standards and policies.

• CMED Refund Policy/Community Education: current policy located on the website – https://www.northampton.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/policies/refund-policy-community-education.html. Any withdrawal not adhering to this policy is considered an unofficial withdrawal.

• Employee Development: Activities or training that enhance professional skills, job performance, or career advancement. This includes business, leadership, and technology-focused courses.

• Job required training for current college positions: Some job positions require certifications or skills training to meet requirements either imposed by the college or required by the nature of the job. Examples: CPR/First Aid, Blood borne pathogens.

• LinkedIn Learning: is an online educational platform available through Human Resources that features video courses taught by industry experts. It focuses on business, technology, leadership, and creative skills, enabling users to learn at their own pace and enhance their professional development.

• Personal Enrichment: Courses intended to enhance personal interests or hobbies, not directly related to the employee’s job responsibilities or career advancement. Examples: art, dance, creative writing, cooking, music.

• Third-Party Providers: are external companies, organizations, or individuals who are not part of the college but deliver instruction to the college or its students. In an educational setting, this could include platforms like Ed2Go, software training companies, or organizations that offer online courses or certifications outside the college’s direct control.

• Tuition Waiver: A program where a portion of course costs administered by the college are waived, reducing the immediate out-of-pocket expense for employees.

Policy Components

1. Professional Development

• All employees wishing to take business, leadership, or technology courses (e.g., Excel, data analytics, team dynamic, leadership, project management) must use LinkedIn Learning for these topics, if available.

• All training must be approved by a supervisor and be applicable to the employee’s work unless it falls under Personal Enrichment or Horizons for Youth.

• Training required by the college for employees to continue in their current position must be approved by a supervisor and the tuition waiver will cover 100% of the course costs.

2. Personal Enrichment

• Personal enrichment courses such as art, dance, pottery, language learning, music appreciation, etc. are covered by this policy.

  • Courses administered by Ed2Go or other 3rd-parties are not covered under this policy and employees will be responsible for 100% of the costs.

• Courses administered by NCC will be cancelled if the minimum seat count for paid enrollments is not met.

• Employees will be responsible for paying 30% of the course cost plus any applicable supply fees.

• Employees will be subject to the CMED Withdrawal and Refund Policy (see definitions). Failure to comply with this policy will result in the employee being responsible for the full cost of the class. 100% of the cost of the course will be payable to the institution.

3. Horizons for Youth

Dependents of full-time employees who participate in the Horizons for Youth programs will be covered under the same tuition waiver terms as all other Community Education classes. Employee will be responsible for 30% of the cost of the program, plus materials.

No employee discounts are available for Horizon for Youth Camp Northampton (summer after-care program). Employees must pay the full program cost.

General Eligibility

• Full-time and part-time (see exception below) employees who are active in Workday.

  • Part-time employees are only eligible to participate in the CBI Certificate Programs.

• Must be in good standing with all NCC and CMED policies and requirements.

  • Two registrations that result in unofficial withdrawals will result in an employee becoming ineligible for the benefit.

• Student workers are ineligible for the tuition waiver programs.

• Spouses and dependents of employees are not eligible for this benefit.

Employees and their direct supervisors must ensure that their enrollment in CMED classes does not interfere with their primary schedule and job responsibilities. All classes that are not categorized as professional development should be scheduled outside of normal work hours.

Excluded Courses or Programs

The following courses and programs are not covered under this policy:

• Business & Leadership Development

  • CBI Certificates Programs**

  • Management Development*

• Corporate and Public Safety, unless specifically related to your position*

• Early Childhood Apprenticeship program

• Healthcare Career Training Certificate programs

• Industrial Training programs

* Unless approved by supervisor and an HR representative

** CBI Certificate programs are allowable for part-time employees

This list will be updated annually.

Northampton County Community College reserves the right to amend or terminate this policy at any time. Employees will be notified of any changes in advance. For any questions or further information please contact the Human Resources Department.

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