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Tuition Benefits
Responsible Office
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Policy Owner
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Policy Contact
Vice President for Strategic Operations & Human Resources
Issued
2020-05-07
Last Revised
2026-10-01
On this page: Policy Statement · Reason for Policy · Policy Scope · Procedures · Frequently Asked Questions · Forms · Appendices · Additional Contacts · Definitions · Responsibilities · Related Information · History
Policy Statement
The tuition benefit program is designed to enable eligible full-time employees, their spouses, their dependent children (dependents are determined by IRS guidelines), alumni, and credentialed ministers to enroll in credit-bearing courses at North Central University. The employee tuition benefit applies to undergraduate and graduate level classes.
Employees – Undergraduate Tuition Discount
Eligible employees are permitted and encouraged to take up to two university undergraduate classes each fall, spring, and summer semester. The tuition benefit does not apply to courses offered outside of the university. Eligibility dates of employment are calculated from the most recent date of continuous full-time employment; any breaks in full-time employment will reset the date. Additionally, the discount will begin the first semester after the threshold has been met and stops immediately in the semester subsequent to the change in the employee’s employment status.
Employee and Employee Dependent Tuition Discount – Undergraduate
The spouse and dependent children of regular full-time employees may be eligible to receive paid tuition on a prorated basis.
- New hire up to 1 year of employment: 25% discount.
- During the second year of employment: 50% discount.
- During the third year of employment: 75% discount.
- During the fourth year of employment and beyond: 100% discount.
Employee Tuition Discount – Graduate
- During the 1st year of employment: 25% tuition discount
- During the 2nd year of employment: 50% tuition discount
- During the 3rd year and beyond of employment: 100% tuition discount
Spouses of Full-time Employees
- During the first year of the spouse’s full-time employment: 25% tuition discount
- After the spouse’s first year of full-time employment: 50% tuition discount
Additional Graduate Discounts
Dependent Children are not eligible for a graduate education tuition discount. Along with eligible employees, the following may apply and be eligible for graduate discounts. Students who qualify in more than one category receive only one discount.
North Central University Alumni
North Central University provides graduate tuition discounting for the graduate programs offered by the university to its alumni/ae. Determinations of alumni status will be made by the Advancement Office. Those determined to be eligible will receive a 25% tuition discount.
Credentialed Ministers of the Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Family of Churches
North Central University provides graduate tuition discounting for the graduate programs offered by the university to credentialed ministers with the Assemblies of God and the broader Pentecostal family of churches. Determinations of student eligibility and eligible institutions will be made by the admissions office in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs. Those determined to be eligible will receive a 25% tuition discount.
Full-time Employees of Assemblies of God and Pentecostal Family of Churches
North Central University provides graduate tuition discounting for the graduate programs offered by the university to full-time employees of Assemblies of God and churches within the broader Pentecostal family of churches. To be eligible, students must provide verification of employment at a qualifying Assemblies of God or Pentecostal church each semester to the Office of Academic Affairs. Those determined to be eligible will receive a 15% tuition discount.
Tuition and Fees
The tuition discount covers tuition and does not cover fees, books, housing, etc. It can also be applied to advanced standing credits (up to 9 credits) and audited classes (up to 4 credits). Applied lesson fees, directed research fees, and class fees are the responsibility of the enrolled student. After federal grants, state grants, institutional grants, scholarships, and discounts are applied, the employee tuition discount will provide employees with coverage on a prorated basis. If an employee is hired after an academic semester has started or if their percentage of tuition benefit changes mid-semester, the applicable tuition benefit rate will not be effective until the beginning of the following semester.
Eligibility
Those seeking a discount must complete an application for admission or readmission in order to utilize their benefit. Additionally, applicants must work with the Office of Human Resources to complete the tuition benefit form. Employees must complete an Employee Tuition Discount Application with supervisor approval each semester. Applications for Dependents are required by July 1 for the entire academic year. (New applications for a dependent discount that are submitted after July 1 for spring or summer will follow the deadlines listed below.) Both forms are submitted to the Office of Human Resources.
Application Deadlines for Employees:
- Fall Semester – July 1
- Spring Semester – November 15
- Summer Semester – March 15
All discounting is subject to the availability of budgeted scholarship funds and course availability at the discretion of the Provost, the Office of Human Resources as well as approval by the employee’s supervisor for seated classes (in the case of the employee discount for Employees and Dependents) or the Office of Academic Affairs for Alumni and Ministers.
If all paperwork is not completed prior to the deadline of each semester, the student is responsible for all charges. Late fees will be applied until funding is awarded. Failure to file a FAFSA form and submit the necessary paperwork for processing will result in the forfeiture of the discount.
Employees and recipients of the employee tuition benefit must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the university to be eligible for this discount and must adhere to other institutional and financial aid policies.
Employees must remain on the active payroll and be performing their jobs satisfactorily through the completion of each course. If an employee is moved below the eligibility required, they, or their dependents, are no longer eligible for the tuition benefit beyond their current academic term. If an employee is hired after an academic semester has begun, the tuition benefit will not be effective until the start of the next semester. If employment with the university is terminated for any reason, educational benefits will terminate effective the last day of employment. Tuition costs for the remainder of the semester will be prorated and charged to the enrolled student.
Family members retain their eligibility if the parent/spouse becomes permanently disabled or dies while an employee at the university. The employee, spouse, or dependent receiving the benefit cannot be in default on their student loans or have an unpaid balance on their account.
Limitations
The tuition discount for all employees and dependents is limited to the equivalent of one university degree.
Dependent Children are not eligible for a graduate education tuition discount.
Reason for Policy
The purpose of this policy is to clearly explain the responsibilities and parameters by which these benefits become available, the limits to these benefits and the conditions under which the benefits might become forfeit.
Policy Scope
All full-time employees of the university.
Procedures
Verification for Graduate Discounts
Applicants trigger the process(-es) below by completing their application and providing their admissions counselor with evidence of their eligibility to qualify for a discount described in this policy.
Verify Alumni Status
- The admissions counselor confirms alumni status with the Office of the Registrar.
- The admissions counselor indicates discount type on the Graduate Admissions Decision Sheet.
- Upon receipt of the decision sheet, One Stop applies the discount to the student’s account, confirming that only one discount is applied.
Verify North Central University Employee and Employee Spouse Status
- Employee or Dependent must apply for admission.
- Once admission is granted, Employee must submit either the Employee Tuition Discount Application or the Employee Dependent Discount Application to Human Resources. The Office of Human Resources will confirm eligibility and forward the approved application to One Stop.
Verify Ministerial Credentials and Pentecostal Family of Churches Employment
- The admissions counselor confirms ministerial or full-time employment status with the student and/or student’s organization. Acceptable forms of proof of status include a valid ministerial credential card from a Pentecostal denomination and/or a letter from the church that is signed by a duly appointed representative indicating full-time employment status with the church. (The Office of Academic Affairs maintains a list of eligible denominations; however, the list continues to grow. If questions arise concerning a particular denomination/fellowship’s eligibility for the discount, the counselor must confirm with the Office of Academic Affairs. See the Pentecostal Family of Churches definition.)
- The admissions counselor indicates discount on the Graduate Admissions Decision Sheet.
- Upon receipt of the decision sheet, One Stop applies the discount to the student’s account, confirming that only one discount is applied.
Report Discount Status
The Office of Academic Affairs verifies, updates, and reports discount status as needed to One Stop each semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who can use tuition benefits?
A: Full-time employees, their spouses, and their dependent children. Alumni, credentialed ministers, and full-time employees of Assemblies of God and Pentecostal churches may also qualify for graduate discounts.
Q: How much of a discount do I receive as an employee?
A: For undergraduate courses, the discount grows from 25% in your first year to 100% starting in your fourth year. For graduate courses, it grows from 25% in your first year to 100% starting in your third year.
Q: How many classes can I take?
A: Up to two undergraduate classes each fall, spring, and summer semester.
Q: Can my children use the benefit for graduate school?
A: No. Dependent children qualify for undergraduate discounts only.
Q: What does the discount cover?
A: Tuition only. It does not cover fees, books, or housing. Applied lesson, directed research, and class fees remain the student’s responsibility.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Apply for admission or readmission, then submit the Employee Tuition Discount Application or Employee Dependent Tuition Discount Application to the Office of Human Resources. Employees apply each semester with supervisor approval. Dependent applications are due July 1 for the full academic year.
Q: What are the employee deadlines?
A: July 1 for fall, November 15 for spring, and March 15 for summer.
Q: Can I combine discounts?
A: No. Students who qualify in more than one category receive only one discount.
Q: What happens if I leave the university?
A: Benefits end on your last day of employment, and the remaining tuition for the semester is prorated and charged to the student. Family members keep eligibility if the employee becomes permanently disabled or dies while employed.
Q: Who do I contact with questions?
A: Contact the Office of Human Resources at 612.343.4412 or hr@northcentral.edu. For financial aid questions, contact One Stop at 612.343.5030 or onestop@northcentral.edu.
Forms
- Application for Admissions
- Employee Tuition Discount Application
- Employee Dependent Tuition Discount Application
Appendices
There are no appendices associated with this policy.
Additional Contacts
| Subject | Contact | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy Clarification and Interpretation | Office of Human Resources | 612.343.4412 | hr@northcentral.edu |
| Financial Aid | One Stop | 612.343.5030 | onestop@northcentral.edu |
| Admissions | Office of Admissions | admissions@northcentral.edu |
Definitions
Alumni
Those who have graduated from the university with an undergraduate degree.
Assemblies of God
Those churches (whether designated General Council, District Council or Parent-Affiliated Church) that are in fellowship with the General Council of the Assemblies of God and officially listed as part of the organization.
Credentialed Minister
A person who is registered with a denomination to serve as a minister of the gospel and who is thereby authorized to preach and perform sacerdotal functions.
Dependent Child
Per the IRS, a dependent child is any of the following:
- A child for whom the employee provides over one-half of the child’s support;
- A child who: (a) receives over one-half of their support from parents who are divorced, separated or living apart; and (b) is in the custody of one or both of their parents for more than one-half of the calendar year;
- A child who: (a) receives over one-half of their support from their parents (but neither parent alone contributed over one-half of the support); (b) receives over 10% of their support from the employee; and (c) has received a waiver of dependency from anyone else who contributes over 10% of their support; or
- A child who: (a) has not attained age 25; and (b) both of whose parents are deceased.
Educational Cost
Regular tuition. Student services fees, room and board, general fees, class fees, textbooks, and other fees are not included as part of the benefit.
Eligible Employee
Full-time employees.
Employee Dependent Tuition Benefit Discount
After federal grants, state grants, institutional aid are applied, the employee discount will provide dependents with coverage on a prorated basis. The discount does not apply to the following employment categories: adjunct faculty, part-time staff, teaching assistants, or temporary staff or faculty, or student employees.
Employee Tuition Benefit Discount
After federal grants, state grants, institutional aid are applied, the employee discount will provide a tuition discount to eligible employees for undergraduate and graduate education. The discount does not apply to the following employment categories: adjunct faculty, part-time staff, teaching assistants, or temporary staff or faculty, or student employees.
Full-time Employee
Employees who hold a permanent position of 30 hours or more weekly.
Pentecostal Family of Churches
Pentecostal family of churches includes those affiliated with denominations having membership with the Pentecostal World Fellowship and others who subscribe to Pentecostal doctrine and practice.
Responsibilities
Eligible Persons
- Complete needed paperwork to be eligible for the benefit program.
Office of Human Resources
- Manage the employee tuition benefit program.
- Answer questions about eligibility.
One Stop
- Apply discounts in accordance with policy, including verifying the application of only one discount.
- Report on discounts by type.
Office of Admissions
- Receive and process applications for admission and readmission.
Office of Academic Affairs
- Administer graduate discounts, including budgetary approvals and program coordination for students.
Related Information
Related Policies & Procedures
History
Amended
2026-10-01 – Non-substantive updates (e.g., titles, office names, definitions, and copy errors); moved the procedure onto the policy page; added frequently asked questions.
Issued
2020-05-07