Reimbursement Question

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

I can't speak for all employers, but they usually require proof of payment (like a cancelled check or credit card receipt).

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that you're asking if as an RN, you can double-dip? As in, receive grants/scholarships for tuition in addition to being reimbursed by your employer.

Highly doubtful. For one thing, if you are earning a full-time salary and are thus eligible for tuition reimbursement programs, it is doubtful that you would qualify for grants. For another, it is highly likely that most tuition reimbursement programs would have built-in safeguards against an employee's ability to profit monetarily from the program.

MzTayTay · Jan 9, 2011

@Immediately preceding poster, family size is also taken into consideration when calculating eligibility for grants. Not just amount of income.

MzTayTay · Jan 9, 2011

And gosh, it was just a question! I'm fairly new to the workforce, as I've only had a steady job for the past two years.

elkpark · Jan 9, 2011

Each individual employer is free to set whatever guidelines/standards it wishes in regard to tuition reimbursement, so it would depend on where you worked. I've seen lots of different programs at different employers over the years. Lots of employers don't even offer it as a benefit (I know that my current employer has cut 'way back on what it offers since the economy tanked).

Kellie626 · Jan 9, 2011

I can only speak for my employer but all they require is a statement showing how much my tuition was and a copy of my grade transcript. I have had all of my tuition covered by loans, grants and scholarships (and even received refunds) but I still get tuition reimbursement. I'm assuming the reasoning behind it is that I am going to have to pay back the loans so it's still money out of my pocket.

Athenas83 · Jan 9, 2011

I'm getting tuition reimbursement through the VA, which is awesome!

Mike A. Fungin RN · Jan 9, 2011

No, you can't double dip. If you got school paid for by grants and scholarships then by definition there's nothing to reimburse.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2011

I can only speak for my employer but all they require is a statement showing how much my tuition was and a copy of my grade transcript. I have had all of my tuition covered by loans, grants and scholarships (and even received refunds) but I still get tuition reimbursement. I'm assuming the reasoning behind it is that I am going to have to pay back the loans so it's still money out of my pocket.

It might be wise for you to do more than assume that your tuition reimbursement is appropriate and according to your facilty's guidelines. As the previous poster noted, if your tuition is being paid for by a grant or a scholarship, then you technically do not have any expenses to be reimbursed for. A loan might have different criteria since you will be paying the $$ back.

MzTayTay · Jan 9, 2011

Thank you Rose, but Im not even employed at a healthcare facility yet. This was just a general question.

Streamline2010 · Jan 9, 2011

Whenever I have received tuition reimbursement, and this was non-nursing, these had to be met:

1. Prove how this course or this degree is relevant to the job, and possibly justify that what you learn there can be directly applied to the job or a future position with that employer.

2. Get prior approval from the supervisor and whomever else to take the course. Prior approval, because if I dumped receipts on them afterward but didn't have approval to take the course, they would not pay for it.

3. Make the arrangements, pay for the course, pay for the books, myself. Find out exactly which books and supplies will be covered. Computers and software, for example, probably won't be.

4. Complete the course with a C or better (sometimes a B or better), then submit grade and receipts to the employer and wait to be reimbursed. In most cases, they'd pay 75%. I'm not sure what % most healthcare employers pay.