Some Changes Are Coming. 

Employees who start a Lehigh University graduate program under the tuition remission program after January 1, 2027 will be expected to continue to work at Lehigh for at least two years following completion of their degree or certificate or face the potential of a partial repayment obligation upon separation. If an employee voluntarily separates or is terminated for cause during the two years following completion of their degree or certificate, the employee will be subject to partial repayment of tuition benefits received, based on their years of service. Employees with 0-9 years of service will owe 50% of graduate tuition remitted. Employees with 10-19 years of service will owe 25% of graduate tuition remitted. Employees with 20 or more years of service will not have a repayment obligation.  

Please visit this page to learn about this and other changes to Lehigh's educational benefits.

 

Lehigh University provides a 100 percent graduate tuition remission benefit for full time benefits-eligible faculty and staff members. The number of credits for which you can receive remission depends on your work schedule:

Salaried faculty and staff who are regularly scheduled to work at least 75 percent of a full time schedule

  • The benefit is six credits per semester and six credits in the summer session, for a total of 18 credits per calendar year.

Salaried faculty and staff members who work 50 to 74 percent of a full time schedule

  • The benefit is three credits per semester and three credits in the summer session for a total of nine credits per calendar year. These courses may only be taken at Lehigh University.

Important Conditions and Exclusions

  • This benefit is available to employees who have qualified for admission to a graduate program at the university.
  • Access to this employment benefit does not imply or guarantee admission to Lehigh University. The Lehigh University admission process is highly competitive.
  • The first $5,250 of graduate tuition remission is a tax-free benefit to the employee. Graduate tuition benefits beyond $5,250 per calendar year are considered taxable income, and taxes will be withheld from the employee’s pay.
  • Eligibility for new employees begins after the first day of work. Employment must begin on or before the first day of classes and continue through the end of the academic term in order to access the benefit.  If the employee leaves the university’s employ before the end of the academic term, he or she is responsible for repayment of the tuition.
  • Employees who start a Lehigh University graduate program under the tuition remission program after January 1, 2027 will be expected to continue to work at Lehigh for at least two years following completion of their degree or certificate or face the potential of a partial repayment obligation upon separation. If an employee voluntarily separates or is terminated for cause during the two years following completion of their degree or certificate, the employee will be subject to partial repayment of tuition benefits received, based on their years of service. Employees with 0-9 years of service will owe 50% of graduate tuition remitted. Employees with 10-19 years of service will owe 25% of graduate tuition remitted. Employees with 20 or more years of service will not have a repayment obligation.  
  • 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.]

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 your benefit eligibility, and notify the Bursar's Office to apply tuition remission to your student account. 

For More Information

This web page provides summary information in effect on the date it was prepared.