Step 1: Discuss using tuition benefits with your supervisor

• Meet with your supervisor to discuss the program or course you would like to pursue. Discuss how enrollment may affect your workload and schedule.
• Complete the Supervisor Approval Form [pdf] including your signature as well as your supervisor's signature. Faculty and staff tuition benefit applications will not be processed without a signed Supervisor Approval Form.

Step 2: Finalize your course schedule

• If you have applied and been accepted to a formal degree program, register for course(s) through Student Information Online.
• If you aren't in a formal degree program, register as a Non-Degree Student. Note: Non-Degree Students must complete two separate applications if enrolling in a graduate and undergraduate course in the same term.

Step 3: Apply through Workday

• Refer to the Applying for Employee Tuition Benefits Quick Guide [pdf] for detailed instructions.
  • A new application for tuition benefits must be completed for each term.

  • Your application will not be reviewed until you are registered for courses.

• You will receive an email confirming the submission of your tuition application for processing and a second email once your application has been approved for payment.

• After receiving approval, a tuition remission transaction will be posted to your student account. This transaction will only cover eligible tuition charges.

Step 1: Discuss using tuition benefits with your supervisor

• Meet with your supervisor to discuss the program or course you would like to pursue. Discuss how enrollment may affect your workload and schedule.
• Complete the Supervisor Approval Form [pdf] including your signature as well as your supervisor's signature. Faculty and staff tuition benefit applications will not be processed without a signed Supervisor Approval Form.

Step 2: Finalize your course schedule

• Register for course(s) according to the institution's registration procedures.

Step 3: Apply through Workday

• Refer to the Applying for Employee Tuition Benefits Quick Guide [pdf] for instructions.
  • You will be required to submit a copy of the course description(s) with the number of credits per class and an invoice showing tuition charges.
  • A new application for tuition benefits must be completed for each term.

  • Your application will not be reviewed until you are registered for courses.

• You will receive an email confirming the submission of your tuition application for processing and a second email once your application has been approved for payment.

• Carnegie Mellon will remit payment of your tuition assistance directly to the institution, via either direct deposit or paper check.
  • If you have already paid tuition charges, ask the other institution for a refund in the amount of Carnegie Mellon's payment.

1. Your child should register for the course(s) according to the institution's registration procedures.
2. Apply for Tuition Benefits for Dependent Children through Workday as early as possible.
   • Refer to the Applying for Dependent Tuition Benefits Quick Guide [pdf] for instructions.
   • If your child is attending another institution, upload a copy of the invoice showing tuition charges.
   • A new application is required for EACH semester in which you are requesting benefits for your child.
3. The tuition benefit will be paid as follows:

   • If your child is attending CMU: After receiving approval, a tuition remission transaction will be posted to your child’s student account. This transaction will only cover eligible tuition charges.

   • If your child is attending another institution: Carnegie Mellon will remit payment of your child’s tuition assistance directly to the institution, via either direct deposit or paper check.

• Graduate and certain undergraduate employee tuition benefits that exceed $5,250 in a calendar year are considered taxable by the IRS.
  • Carnegie Mellon University is required to report tuition benefits as taxable wages on your W-2.
  • Taxation for tuition benefits is withheld at approximately 30% (withholdings for federal, Social Security and Medicare taxes).
• Taxation will begin with the paycheck following your application approval, and will be withheld across three months (three paychecks for monthly paid employees and six paychecks for biweekly paid employees), or the number of months remaining in the calendar year, whichever is less.
  • Changes to your benefit level in the middle of a semester (for example, adding or dropping a class) will be reflected in the taxes withheld in the remaining month(s).

Example

The following example of federal taxation uses an approximate federal withholding rate of 30% and examples of approved tuition benefit amounts. It is meant to illustrate scenarios to help you estimate taxation for financial planning purposes, not provide an exact amount.

If your tuition benefits total $6,320 for the fall 2023 term (and it is your first term for calendar year 2023), your taxable tuition benefit over the course of three months is $1,070 ($6,320 tuition total − $5,250 federal exemption). The additional tax withheld from your paycheck over three months is $107 per month ($1,070 taxable tuition benefits × 30% withholding rate = $321/3 months = $107).

If your tuition benefits total $6,320 for the spring 2024 term, your taxable tuition benefit over the course of three months would be the same as the fall 2023 term ($6,320 tuition total − $5,250 federal exemption = $1,070). The additional tax withholding would also be approximately $107 per month for three consecutive months.

If your tuition benefits total $6,320 for the fall 2024 term, your taxable tuition benefit over the course of the three months would be $2,106.67 per month ($6,320/3) and the additional tax withholding would be approximately $632 per month ($2,106.67 × 30%).

If your course schedule changes after a tuition benefit has been submitted, please notify notify HR Services immediately at 412-268-4600 or hr-help@andrew.cmu.edu. There may need to be adjustments to the benefit amount and/or taxation.