Tarleton State Education Benefits Programs
Tarleton State Family Education Benefit Program
Tarleton State Family Education Benefit Program provides a 50% tuition reduction for eligible employees, their spouses, and dependent children pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. The program is available to full-time employees who meet performance standards and have completed six months of service, with dependents required to maintain academic eligibility. A new application is required each term.
Details and Important Dates
Eligible employees and dependents must submit the Tarleton State Family Education Benefit application for each enrolled term. The deadline to verify the employee’s 6-month eligibility has been extended to the census date of the 12-week summer term or the 16-week Fall/Spring term. Please ensure your application is submitted by the deadline to receive the benefit for the applicable term. Retroactive payments, prior-term credits, or refunds for this benefit are not allowed.
| TERM | APPLICATIONS OPEN | APPLICATION DEADLINE | PAYMENT & TUITION DUE | LAST DATE OF EMPLOYEE ELIGIBILITY FOR 6-MONTH REQUIREMENT | SUBMISSION REVIEW START DATE FOR EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY BY HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPRING TERM | October 30, 2025 | January 28, 2026 | January 7, 2026 | January 28, 2026 | November 15, 2025 |
| SUMMER TERM | March 5, 2026 | July 2, 2026 | May 19, 2026 | July 2, 2026 | April 15, 2026 |
| FALL TERM | March 5, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | August 12, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | July 15, 2026 |
Employee Eligibility
Tarleton has defined eligibility for this benefit as follows:
- Full-time and part-time faculty or staff at Tarleton State who are in a budgeted, benefits-eligible position.
- Employees must have completed six months of employment in a budgeted, benefits-eligible position to qualify.
- Enrolled employees must be in good standing, as indicated by their most recent performance evaluation (Meets Expectations or Higher) or with supervisor approval.
- Tarleton State Retirees under TRS or ORP programs are eligible.
- Student workers, graduate student employees, adjunct faculty, and visiting professors are not eligible.
Dependent Eligibility
Under IRS Code Section 132(h), spouses and qualified dependents are eligible for this benefit. This IRS defines a qualified dependent in Publication 501. Employees must certify the eligibility of each dependent when applying for the benefit.
Program Considerations & Limitations
- Students will be notified of any application denial during the Registrar’s review, Employee Services review, or Financial Aid Review.
- Retroactive applications for prior terms will be automatically rejected.
- Employees or dependents must submit a new application each term to maintain the tuition and fees benefit.
- The Tarleton Family Education Benefit applies only to an employee’s or eligible dependent’s first bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree.
- Certificate programs, non-degree enrollments, and second degrees at any level are ineligible for the benefit.
- The University reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate the Tarleton Family Education Benefit at any time.
FAQs
Q: My spouse and I are both full-time Tarleton employees. Does the employee tuition reduction (benefit) double?
A: An employee’s eligibility affords them and/or their dependent(s) the opportunity for a maximum 50% tuition reduction per student
General Scholarship Application
Tarleton State employees, along with their spouses and dependents, are eligible to apply for the general scholarship.
Master’s Degree Assistance
Eligibility Guidelines
By encouraging the professional and personal development of Tarleton State employees, this master’s program is designed to invest in and assist employees further their knowledge, skills, and job effectiveness.
Full-time, budgeted employees at Tarleton State as qualified below. This program is applicable to the pursuit of a first master’s degree only.
Tuition & Fees
100% of eligible tuition and fees will be paid on enrollment in a Master’s Degree at Tarleton State University.
- Fees associated with admission applications, insurance, memberships, travel, parking, intercollegiate athletic fee, housing, meal plan, textbooks, school supplies, and transportation are not included in this benefit.
Employee Requirements
- Be in a full-time position for at least 12 months prior to the start of the degree program.
- Have satisfactory performance evaluation ratings for both the current and previous review cycle.
- Must not be on a performance improvement plan.
Professional Growth Plan
Initial application process requires a professional growth plan.
- How does completing the master’s degree relate to your current role at Tarleton State or your intended career path at Tarleton?
- How will the additional education improve your effectiveness in your current role or prepare you for a future role?
Receiving Benefit
To receive the benefit, the employee admitted to a master’s program at Tarleton State must be in good academic standing, and enroll in courses which are part of the degree program.
Application Submission
A benefit application must be submitted before the application deadline for each semester to be covered. A new submission is required each semester.
Tuition & Enrollment
- Tuition and enrollment-related fees paid at the time of enrollment
- The University will pay for costs for first time attempt of classes only.
- A passing grade is considered to be earned if the employee receives graduate degree credit for the course, with an A, B, or C grade.
- Courses that are retaken are not eligible for the waiver.
- Benefit will cease if the employee is no longer making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree.
- Maximum eligibility/benefit of 6 hours per semester and 18 hours per year.
- Courses or auxiliary activities outside of the degree plan will not be covered or paid by this benefit.
- Course attendance and assignment work must not interfere with work obligations, job performance, or attendance.
- For any courses offered during regularly scheduled work hours, employee must make up those hours and/or use Vacation Leave if eligible, unless the employee’s supervisor approves Education Release Time.
- Tuition and fee waivers in excess of IRS limits, currently $5,250 per calendar year, will be considered taxable income and added to the employee’s taxable wages.
Approvals
Must be approved by Dean/AVP and VP of the employee’s division to verify that the degree relates to the employee’s current role or intended career path.
Applications must be submitted by end of business on closing date for each semester. A new submission is required for each semester.
| TERM | APPLICATION OPENS | APPLICATION DEADLINE & CLOSING DATE |
|---|---|---|
| SUMMER TERM | March 5, 2026 | July 2, 2026 |
| FALL TERM | March 5, 2026 | September 3, 2026 |
Doctoral Educational Assistance
2024 TAMUS Review Decision
The Texas A&M University System will be sunsetting the Doctoral Education Assistance Program. New participants will not accepted after May 31, 2025. All participants accepted into the program as of May 31, 2025 will continue to receive funding until May 31, 2028.
System members participating in the program will continue to invoice the System Office as detailed in program guidelines.
Reminder: Application submission is required each semester.