|
Requests for Tuition Reimbursement for courses will be made using PDO. Staff will be able to submit requests for reimbursement and track the progress of the request using the new online form found on the Tuition Reimbursement tab. Submission procedures can be found below.
For detailed directions on submitting Tuition Reimbursement requests using PDO refer to the Tuition Reimbursement section on the PDO Help page.
1. REIMBURSEMENT CRITERIA:
All documentation for payment must be submitted to the Office of Organizational Development within 60 days of course completion.
a. A maximum of nine (9) credits will be reimbursed per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Any courses starting prior to June 30 and ending after July 1 count toward the new fiscal year’s tuition reimbursement allotment. The nine (9) credits may be taken together in one semester or in any semester within the fiscal year. These credit limitations apply to graduate and undergraduate level courses, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses or a combination of these course types not currently offered by the MCPS.
b. Reimbursement will be made equivalent to one-half (1⁄2) the current cost of graduate and undergraduate in-state tuition for the University of Maryland at College Park.
c. Reimbursement will not be made for the cost of registration, books, materials, and/or lab fees.
d. The 9-credit-hour limitation may be waived for a specific year or years under the following conditions:
a. Completion of the requirements of an approved program requires enrollment in more than 9 credits during one or more years of the program, or MCPS approves enrollment in more than 9 credits in order to meet a specific school system need.
b. No reimbursement for additional credits outside the approved program will be approved until the total reimbursement from the first year of excess credits is less than the average of 9 credits per year.
c. If the employee retires or resigns prior to the time the average reduces to 9 credits per year, the employee will be required to repay MCPS for any excess reimbursement beyond the average of 9 credits per year from the first year of excess reimbursement.
d. In no event may the employee be reimbursed for more than 45 credits in
e. Reimbursement shall be for courses that will enable unit members to continue their professional development and to maintain or increase their skills as education professionals in their employment with Montgomery County Public Schools.
f. Both graduate and undergraduate courses could be eligible for reimbursement for all employee groups. Courses would continue to be approved for reimbursement based upon the established teacher tuition guidelines. Undergraduate courses will be reimbursed at the undergraduate rate. Note: Undergraduate courses do not count towards salary advancement.
g. Tuition reimbursement should be provided at the end of the course and upon receipt of the course grades and confirmation of tuition paid. Reimbursement would be charged to the program in which unit the person was working at the beginning of the course. For purposes of fiscal year limits on reimbursement, a course is counted in the fiscal year in which the coursework is completed.
h. Courses receiving a “Pass” taken on a “Pass/Fail” basis will now receive tuition reimbursement.
i. Employees will not be reimbursed for courses or training if such courses are also offered by MCPS and are available in the same semester to the employees in that unit. Exceptions will be made for credits that are needed as part of a degree, certificate, or professional development program in which the employee is enrolled if the MCPS course would not be counted and the credits would otherwise be reimbursable. Exceptions may also be made if MCPS courses are full and unavailable.
2. COURSEWORK:
a. Courses must be from a regionally accredited college or university.
b. CEU or CPD experiences must have been approved through a state accrediting agency such as Maryland State Department of Education or an accrediting CEU provider.
c. Participant must receive at least a "B" in a graduate course or a "C" in an undergraduate course to receive reimbursement. Audited courses are not reimbursable.
3. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES:
a. Log onto PDO at http://pdo.mcpsmd.org.
b. Click on the Tuition Reimbursement tab.
c. Click on the New Request button.
d. Select Teacher using the pull down menu. Please choose teacher if you are listed under MCEA.
e. Complete the form with your course information (complete a new form for each course).
f. Submit the form by selecting the Save and Submit button.
g. Print the form and mail or pony to Teacher Tuition Reimbursement, URSC/OOD with the receipt of payment and documentation of your grade.
NOTE: No requests will be processed without BOTH proof of payment and documentation of grade.
h. You can monitor your request status from the Tuition Reimbursement tab in PDO.
i. All documentation for payment must be submitted to the Office of Organizational Development within 60 days of course completion.
j. Documentation for payment includes:
a. Photocopy of official grade slip or transcript. Transcript must include the students name, letter grade (Pass and CR are also acceptable), and the name of the college/university.
b. Proof of payment showing the full amount of tuition paid. Auditors prefer original documents. One of the following will be accepted:
§ A stamped and/or signed official university receipt.
§ Canceled check (front and back).
§ Credit card statement showing your name.
4. Reimbursement for PRAXIS II Tests
MCPS teachers who are planning to take a PRAXIS II content area exam to become highly qualified in a content area can apply for reimbursement via the teacher tuition reimbursement program.
To receive reimbursement for taking a PRAXIS II content exam, complete a request online through PDO and send proof of payment as well of a copy of your testing scores to: Teacher Tuition Reimbursement, Office of Organizational Development, Upcounty Regional Services Center. Only passing scores will be reimbursed.
Those applying for PRAXIS II reimbursement will be reimbursed up to the current cost of tuition reimbursement (50% of the current cost of the University of Maryland’s in state graduate credit).
Reimbursement of one PRAXIS II content area exam by MCPS will count against your tuition reimbursement of nine credits per fiscal year.
QUESTIONS:
a. Questions regarding courses can be made on PDO via the Inquiry tab. Other questions about tuition reimbursement may be directed to the Teacher Tuition Reimbursement Specialist in the Office of Organizational Development, 301-601-4899.
|
