Tuition Assistance Program
The Wake County Public School System recognizes the importance of maintaining, developing, and extending the skills of all its employees. Employees are encouraged to engage in programs that will lead to their professional growth, expansion of skills, and increased job competence. In support of employee professional growth the Recruitment and Retention Office in the WCPSS Human Resources Department administers tuition assistance based on the following eligibility and selection criteria.
Eligibility & Selection Criteria
Tuition assistance is available to permanent, full-time and part-time, licensed and non-licensed employees. Priority is given to teachers serving in critical needs areas, such as special education, math, science, ESL, and foreign language, as well as teacher assistants working toward teacher certification. To be eligible for tuition assistance, employees must be employed by the Wake County Public School System in a full-time or part-time permanent position, at the beginning of the course, the end of the course, and at the time checks are issued. There are no exceptions. Employees who are receiving grants and scholarships should not apply for WCPSS tuition assistance. Employees who are paying for tuition with loans may be required to provide additional documentation to show out-of-pocket tuition expenses. Each employee is eligible for reimbursement for one course per fiscal year (July 1- June 30); one course per payout cycle (see below). The ending date of the course determines its fiscal year. If funds are not sufficient to cover all requests, a lottery will be held to determine how to allocate funds.
- Teachers in Critical Needs Areas of Special Education, Math, Science, ESL, Foreign Language are eligible for one course per fiscal year. If the application is selected, the teacher receives the lesser of 100% actual tuition or $500.
- Teacher Assistants are eligible for one course per fiscal year. If the application is selected, the Teacher Assistant receives the lesser of 75% actual tuition or $500. (TA's working on teaching licenses in special ed. will be paid at 100% whenever possible.)
- All other employees are eligible for one course per fiscal year. If the application is selected, the employee receives the lesser of 50% actual tuition or $400.
Substitute employees, hourly paid temporary employees, and employees on long-term leave of absence are NOT eligible for tuition assistance.
Course Eligibility
Eligible coursework includes college level courses that are part of a degree program and are reported through an official transcript. Continuing education, community schools classes, seminars and workshops are not eligible for tuition assistance. Coursework should be relevant to the employee's current job responsibilities or desired area of licensure.
How To Apply
Once a course is finished and grades have been issued, download a tuition assistance application from the WCPSS Intranet and fill in the required information. Attach the following documentation:
- An official or unofficial (online) transcript or grade report. A letter from the Instructor on the institution's letterhead will also suffice. Any grade lower than a "B" renders the application ineligible.
- A receipt indicating that the applicant has paid for the course. This can be an online receipt or a university cashier receipt. In consideration of your privacy, the tuition assistance program cannot accept credit card receipts or canceled checks.
Send the application and documentation to the WCPSS Interoffice Mail address "Tuition Assistance/Crossroads" by the deadlines indicated below. Please do not fax tuition assistance applications.
When To Apply
Applications may be submitted at any time after coursework is completed and grades have been issued. Applicants will be notified of receipt of their application two-to-three weeks prior to the published deadlines below. The acknowledgement comes in the form of a group email to applicants.
Checks are typically issued two-to-three weeks AFTER the published deadlines below.
- For courses ending between June 1, 2009 and August 19, 2009, submit applications, grades and receipts by January 22, 2010.
- For courses ending between August 20 and December 31, 2009, submit applications, grades and receipts by April 30, 2010.
- For courses ending between January 01, 2010, and May 31, 2010, submit applications, grades, and receipts by October 08, 2010.
| Course Ending Date | Deadline For Submitting Application |
| June 1 - August 19, 2009 | January 22, 2010 |
| August 20 - December 31, 2009 | April 30, 2010 |
| January 1 - May 31, 2010 | October 8, 2010 |
The Selection Process
After they are received, applications are verified for eligibility. Applicants will typically NOT receive confirmation until 2-3 weeks prior to the deadlines published on the previous pages. After the deadline for submitting applications has passed, and if funds are not available for all applicants, a lottery will be held to determine which eligible applications can be supported. Priority is given to critical needs teachers, and teacher assistants. All applicants will be notified of the results, and check requests will be forwarded to the WCPSS Accounting Department. Checks will be distributed from the Accounting Department to the recipients' worksites. E-mail for Questions about Tuition Assistance to sshelton@wcpss.net .