Carnegie Mellon University
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Tuition Benefits for Dependent Children of Staff Members

Carnegie Mellon University is pleased to assist you with the expense of educating your children. On this page:

About the Program

  • CMU's tuition benefits cover current tuition charges only and cannot exceed the total tuition cost. Past semesters, fees, housing or other costs are not covered.
  • CMU’s tuition benefit payment is the same regardless of other awards received (scholarships, financial aid, etc.). Outside institutions will allocate CMU’s payment according to their policy, which may result in a reduction of other awards. If your child is receiving other awards, you should confirm with the outside institution how CMU’s benefit payment will be applied to the student’s account.

Employee Eligibility

Full-time, benefits-eligible staff members who have completed three full years of service by the following dates:

  • Fall Term — October 1
  • Winter/Spring Term — February 1
  • Summer Term — June 1

At least two years must be in full-time employment. Part-time benefits-eligible employment years in which the employee worked at least 1,000 hours count as 1/2 service year. Eligible part-time years may satisfy up to one year of credit. A break in eligible service will reset your service years to zero.

The three-year service requirement may be reduced or waived if the employee performed sufficient service at another college/university and meets participation requirements. To have prior service at another college or university considered toward your service requirement under the Carnegie Mellon University Faculty and Staff Tuition Benefits Program, you must complete a Tuition Prior Service Credit Form [pdf]. Please work with your prior employer to complete all fields, then send the completed and signed document to the Office of Human Resources.

Child Eligibility

  • Child must be accepted into and enrolled in an undergraduate (bachelor or associate) degree program, approved trade school certification program or community college before age 30. (Note: HR is not involved in the admissions process. Children of faculty and staff are not guaranteed admission into any university.)
  • Child must be naturally born to, legally adopted by, or a stepchild of the employee, or the child of the employee’s domestic partner, and must meet IRS dependency exemption criteria.
  • Children attending another institution must be enrolled full-time (except for the summer term).

Number of Children Eligible

  • Children Attending Carnegie Mellon: Available to an unlimited number of eligible children
  • Children Attending Another Institution: Up to two eligible children, per family. For example, if both spouses or domestic partners work at CMU and are eligible for the tuition program, a combined family maximum of two of their children could attend outside schools and receive the tuition benefit.

Semesters Covered Per Child

Up to eight semesters each; unused semesters may not be transferred to another child

Benefit Level

  • Children Attending Carnegie Mellon: 100% tuition remission
  • Children Attending Another Institution: Up to $10,230 per academic year (up to $5,115 per semester; trimesters and quarters will be prorated accordingly)

Taxation

Taxes must be withheld in the year in which the benefit was received (i.e., when the check is issued), regardless of when the courses are taken

  • Children Attending Carnegie Mellon: Not subject to federal, state or local taxes
  • Children Attending Another Institution: Benefit is subject to state and local taxes for faculty and staff; not subject to federal taxes

Taxes will be withheld from your pay by Carnegie Mellon in three monthly installments (for those paid monthly) or in six biweekly installments (for those paid biweekly). Taxation will begin with the next pay following your application approval, and will be withheld across three months, or the number of months remaining in the calendar year, whichever is less.

Applying for Tuition Benefits

For more information on tuition benefits for dependent children, see the Undergraduate Tuition Benefits for Dependent Children of Staff Members university policy.

Pre-College Tuition Benefit

The university provides full time faculty and staff members with a 50% tuition benefit for
dependent children who enroll in the Pre-College Summer Session, a selection of university summer classes offered to current high school sophomores and juniors. Pre-College Summer Session classes award college credits but do not count as a term toward the eight-semester per child maximum for undergraduate tuition benefits. All other Pre-College Academic Programs listed, besides the Summer Session program, are non-credit summer academic programs and are not eligible for tuition benefits.

To request the Pre-College Summer Session Tuition Benefit, please complete the Pre-College Tuition Benefit Request Form [pdf] and submit it by email, or return it in person to UTDC floor 1 at 4615 Henry St.

Benefits Coverage for Students

Children up to age 26 may be covered under your medical, prescription drug, dental, vision and dependent life insurance coverage, regardless of student status. 

Carnegie Mellon requires its students to carry medical insurance. Your child must complete a waiver form to avoid being charged for Student Health's insurance plan they are being covered under your insurance.