University Human Resources

Tuition Aid Program

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Tuition Aid Program

Brown University offers eligible faculty and staff the Tuition Aid Program (TAP) to provide assistance in paying costs of undergraduate degree tuition for their eligible dependent child(ren) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited institution on a full-time basis.

The terms and conditions included in TAP are amended from time to time by The Corporation of Brown University. Effective July 1, 2024, the maximum tuition amount for the academic year 2024/2025 is up to $15,368.00 per eligible child. Please note that while the maximum tuition amount has increased 4.5% from the previous academic year, TAP increases are not guaranteed and are reviewed annually.

The TAP benefit may be utilized for a maximum of four normal academic years and there is no limit on the number of eligible dependent children who may receive TAP benefits.

Eligibility

Faculty and Staff (for your dependent child(ren) to be eligible):

Benefits-eligible faculty or staff actively working on the Brown regular payroll
Continuous employment totaling an equivalent of 4 full years on the regular payroll with no breaks in service
Benefit aggregate of 66.7% or greater

Dependent Child(ren) must meet the following criteria:

Are the natural child, legally adopted child, or stepchild of eligible employee
Meet Brown University’s requirements for eligibility and the IRS definition of “dependent”
Attend a school that is eligible for federal Title IV loans
Are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program and in good standing making normal academic progress as defined by the school they attend

Return of TAP Funds

It is the employee’s responsibility to notify University Human Resources within 30 days of the event if your dependent withdraws from school during the academic year, drops to part-time study, or fails a course so that an arrangement for reimbursement to the University can be made.

Application

Applications are accepted throughout the year and should be submitted to educational_benefits@brown.edu (please include TAP in the subject line) or mailed to University Human Resources/Benefits Office, Box 1879, Providence, RI 02912.

For timely processing, please submit according to the following schedule:

Fall Semester: submit by early June in advance of the semester
Spring Semester: submit by early December in advance of the semester

Contact

Please email educational_benefits@brown.edu for questions regarding TAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Active staff or non-tenured faculty members, including Postdoctoral Research Associates and other faculty designated as “Research” Faculty, working 66.7% time or greater on the Brown University regular payroll and have been continuously employed at the University for the equivalent of four years of full-time employment at the time of application. Active tenured faculty with a permanent appointment working 66.7% time or greater on the Brown University regular payroll are eligible and no waiting period applies.

The benefit would start on the day after a period of service equal to four years of continuous full-time service.

This benefit can be applied to institutions granting Associate or Bachelor degrees and accepting Title IV funds.

Eligible employees can apply this benefit to any post-secondary institution that is an accredited, degree-granting institution that accepts Title IV funds.

Payments will be made directly to the institution attended:

Fall Semester – no later than September 15th
Spring Semester – no later than January 15th

Tuition bills submitted to University Human Resources-Benefits (UHR-Benefits) after the payment dates above (but before the end of the applicable semester) will be processed upon receipt. Although the University Human Resources-Benefits team will accommodate late bill submissions, the employee/parent or enrolled student will be responsible for all applicable late fees.

School invoices must include the school name, dependent’s name, account number, term attending, indication of full-time enrollment status, payment address, and tuition charges separated from other line items.

The Title IV program is a federally funded, grant program offering eligible students education loans such as Stafford Loans. If there is uncertainty about whether a school is eligible for federal Title IV funds, it is the responsibility of the employee applying for TAP benefits to obtain proof of such eligibility.

For students who are accepted to institutions outside of the U.S., the employee is responsible for obtaining verification from the institution that the same criteria for U.S. institutions can be met in order to receive the University’s TAP benefit.

Dependents receiving this benefit must be matriculated as a full-time student. TAP benefits may be approved in unique circumstances where a student has a chronic, disabling medical condition that precludes enrollment as a full-time student. Prior to approving TAP benefits, the UHR-Benefits team will seek supporting documentation for review of any medical condition(s) precluding full-time status as a student. Occasionally, medical re-certification may be required from the UHR-Benefits team.

Yes. Some institutions (primarily, certain state colleges and universities) may charge general or curriculum support fees to all students that are actually for tuition-related expenses. In those cases, the UHR-Benefits team may authorize payment of these specific fees, as long as the total payment does not exceed the maximum limit of the benefit.

If both parents are employed by Brown University (primarily employed as either faculty or staff), and both employees / parents are eligible to receive TAP benefits, benefits from only one employee/parent can be applied to an enrolled dependent/student.

TAP benefits do not cover advanced degrees; the benefit program is only for undergraduate degree program enrollment.

No, dependents must be enrolled full-time pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

It is recommended that employees with eligible dependents who are enrolled in an institution with co-op programs applying for a summer benefit contact University Human Resources.

TAP benefits could affect your dependent/student’s financial aid award, scholarships, or other financial awards. Employees/parents are responsible for contacting the financial aid office at the student’s institution for more information.

Only one renewal application is required each academic year for each dependent and it will cover the fall and spring semesters. A new application is only required if your dependent switches schools during the academic year.

Effective July 1, 2024, stepchildren will be eligible for the TAP program. To confirm stepchild eligibility, you must submit your application with a copy of the child’s birth certificate naming your spouse as the child’s parent, AND a copy of your state- or county-issued marriage certificate/license. Birth certificates must be governmentissued and must include parents’ names.