Lehigh University provides a 100 percent graduate study tuition remission benefit for eligible spouses and domestic partners of full benefits eligible faculty and staff members. The benefit is available to employees who are regularly scheduled to work at least 75 percent of a full-time schedule.
Important Conditions and Exclusions
- The benefit is available beginning with the semester following the start of employment
- The full value of Lehigh University's graduate tuition benefit for spouses and domestic partners is taxable to the employee. Taxes will be withheld from the employee’s pay at a rate that includes this benefit as income.
- The benefit is available to those spouses and domestic partners of faculty and staff members who have qualified for admission to a graduate program at the university.
- Access to this employment benefits does not imply or guarantee that the employee's spouse or domestic partner will be admitted to a Lehigh University graduate program. The Lehigh University graduate study admission process is highly competitive.
- Students are responsible for paying any fees or other expenses that may be associated with their enrollment at Lehigh University.
- Benefit is available for courses taken for credit. Courses that are audited (no grade, no credits earned) are not eligible for tuition remission.
- The benefit does not apply to online or distance education courses that are also available in a traditional classroom format.
- If the course is only available in an online or distance education format, tuition remission may apply. However, there may be additional fees imposed that are not covered under the benefit. See the Distance Education Tuition Remission policy regarding fees.
- Tuition remission may be applied to Maintenance of Candidacy (MOC) credits for doctoral degrees only. [The MOC credit used in conjunction with master programs does not count towards the master's degree requirements and is therefore ineligible for tuition remission.]
- If the spouse or domestic partner has access to employer sponsored tuition benefits, those benefits should be used first. In the case of a reimbursement plan, the Lehigh benefit will be applied and the reimbursement should be forwarded to Human Resources upon receipt.
Utilizing the Benefit
- There are no forms to fill out but please contact Human Resources prior to registering for classes the first time. We will answer any questions you may have, confirm benefit eligibility, and notify the Bursar's Office to apply tuition remission to your spouse's/partner's student account.
For More Information
- General information regarding graduate studies
- Visit the websites of Lehigh’s four colleges
- More detailed information on tuition benefits is available in the faculty and staff guides
- For policy questions or assistance with a specific situation, please contact Human Resources.
This web page provides summary information in effect on the date it was prepared.