Tuition Reimbursement How-To

FutureNurseInfo · Dec 31, 2016

Actually, look into worker's retraining programs. The whole point of those programs is that you go to some sort of training so you don't end up on unemployment again. I'm the poster child. Six years in call centers, four layoffs, constantly bouncing on and off UI. The last time I said enough was enough and got approved through the state and federal government to go back to school for nursing. Most states have these programs, which negate the job search requirement if approved to go to school. There's some federal programs as well, I got federal approval because my last call center job was outsourced to India. Not only did it allow me to legally remain on UI for the first 6 quarters of college, it paid my tuition as well.

Thank you, jaycam, that is exactly what I have on my mind. So many people are quick to judge when they themselves are no angels. Thank you again!

jaycam, RN · Dec 31, 2016

OP is a highly employable school teacher.

Some states have exceptions if you're making below a certain amount, even in high demand jobs. My state is one of them. Also, there are a number of requirements for employment to be considered gainful. It can also depend on what kind of teacher they are. There's a lot of different things involved. I don't see a point in shaming someone for it. If she's qualified (which based on the program she wants to pursue, she's not) or not, will be determined by her local department of labor.

roser13, ASN, RN · Dec 31, 2016

Thank you, jaycam, that is exactly what I have on my mind. So many people are quick to judge when they themselves are no angels. Thank you again!

OP, how is it that you are unemployable? That is not a judgmental question, simply trying to understand your plan for financing a second career.

And how do you know that we are not all angels? That would be a judgmental statement as you know absolutely nothing about any of us.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2016

Some states have exceptions if you're making below a certain amount, even in high demand jobs. My state is one of them. Also, there are a number of requirements for employment to be considered gainful. It can also depend on what kind of teacher they are. There's a lot of different things involved. I don't see a point in shaming someone for it. If she's qualified (which based on the program she wants to pursue, she's not) or not, will be determined by her local department of labor.

OP was never laid off or fired. He simply wants to do something else and wants it for free. IIRC, he already has more than one degree and doesn't "need" another one such that others must be compelled to finance his additional education. There is no nursing shortage in NYC such that requirements could be reasonably challenged. His employer will fight this most likely. He will be unable to meet the NY state requirement of actively looking for work.

Unless the OP misleads the state about his circumstances, I don't see this happening.

rquinn0111 · Dec 31, 2016

I agree with several opinions on this blog that tuition reimbursement is not the magic bullet. Every employer I've heard of require an employer to be working for them for at least a year full time before applying.

Every employer has important fine print written in each contract. For example, say you agree to a 2-year contract to work as an RN in exchange for a nice bonus that you chose to apply to your student loans. A few months or a year later you get laid off or fired. Depending on the contract and laws in your state, you may have to pay them back part or most of that bonus in a given amount of time (you definetely have to pay something back if you quit). Kinda hard to do when you're not working. You really have to understand what you are signing.

Employers know how to not lose money, but still look inviting to future employees.

I am also taking pre-requisite classes for nursing and looked into this with my employer. It mirrors what others have said on this post. I turned it down because it wasn't worth the headache (I'm busy filling out scholarship, grant, and school applications paperwork already). The rules are so complex. If I worked full-time, it would have funded my books and a fraction of tuition. If I worked part-time, it would have funded my books only. Book reimbursement can only go toward institutions, like the ever-expensive college bookstore, and not the cheaper and smarter thrid-party companies like Chegg.com or another student selling their book. It doesn't cover living expenses. Reimbursement only occurs if you pass your class, which means you see your money back sometime after the report cards are given some three or four months later if you're lucky. But again, this is after you worked for your employer for a least a year. It'll take you that long anyway to understand all the rules of that particular company.

Also, many reimbursement classes I've seen only reimburse towards medical-field courses, so that mandatory elective in music appreciation may not qualify for tuition reimbursement.

My employer also offers discounted online classes that award CLEP and other types of accelerated learning credit. Only problem with those is they don't transfer to the colleges in my area. Read the fine print!

I know those who did work part-time while taking nursing classes regretted it; it was extremely stressful to them and their family life, so I wouldn't recommend it. You'll need your family! They ended up spreading themselves so thin that they did everything poorly. The exception might be if you are going RN to BSN, or you are that rare person that perform better under pressure. The nursing programs in my area are all full-time only and every one of them discourage working while in the program.

To me, tuition reimbursement will work if:

1. You've worked there over a year

2. Looking to cover $1,000 to $5,000 a year in books and tuition only

3. Plan to continue to work either full or part time while in school, and

4. You enjoy keeping paperwork like a tax auditor.

Ideally, I think this would work best for pre-nursing classes only.

ItsThatJenGirl, CNA · Dec 31, 2016

Thank you, jaycam, that is exactly what I have on my mind. So many people are quick to judge when they themselves are no angels. Thank you again!

I'm no angel. I just decided to put my degree/career on hold until I could afford it without going into any debt. So my recommendation is that you do the same.

DowntheRiver · Dec 31, 2016

I'm no angel. I just decided to put my degree/career on hold until I could afford it without going into any debt. So my recommendation is that you do the same.

Or work through school, like the other half of us do. I worked 32-40 hours a week during nursing school as a medical assistant and got some great experience which landed me my first nursing job quite easily.

jaycam, RN · Jan 1, 2017

Or work through school, like the other half of us do. I worked 32-40 hours a week during nursing school as a medical assistant and got some great experience which landed me my first nursing job quite easily.

I worked about 20 hours a week myself. I will say that the students in my cohort that worked as NAs and MAs were the ones that got jobs first.

roser13, ASN, RN · Jan 1, 2017

Or work through school, like the other half of us do. I worked 32-40 hours a week during nursing school as a medical assistant and got some great experience which landed me my first nursing job quite easily.

But that's HAAARRRRDD!

johsonmichelle · Jan 1, 2017

But that's HAAARRRRDD!

I agree some people can not work and go to school. I did it but it does not mean that everyone else can do it. It also depends on the program set up, I know the adn programs have less classroom time than the BSN programs. It's very difficult to work full time in the bsn programs , that schedules that I have seen leave little room for even a part time job. The job also has to be flexible with your school schedule.