Children's Tuition Grant - Earlier (pre-1986) Plans
This web page is intended to answer your questions regarding the two earlier
tuition grant plans which continue to be available in addition to the
current
tuition grant plan. While the amount of the benefit under these two earlier plans
differs from the benefit amount under the current plan, staff and their children
must otherwise meet the criteria described under Employee
Eligibility and Child Eligibility.
The Pre-1975 Plan
Faculty and senior administrative staff hired prior to 1975 were eligible for grants of up to 100% of the Duke tuition,
with no limit as to the number of children eligible.
If an employee currently covered by the pre-1975 plan elects the current plan, the sixteen
semester limit will be waived. However, each child is still limited to 8 semesters.
The 1975-1986 ("Post-1975") Plan
Faculty and senior administrative staff hired between 1975 and 1986
are eligible to receive grants of up to $2,500 per child, with a maximum of two
children eligible. Each child is limited to eight semesters.
Note: Employees eligible for the post-1975 benefit who had less than five years of service as of
September 1, 1986 continue to be eligible for the current $2,500 benefit until they
have attained five years of full-time service. At that time, these employees will
automatically be enrolled in the new plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the earlier plans taxable? Both plans are considered taxable if
you meet the IRS definition of a highly compensated employee*. I am eligible to participate in each of the plans. What is best for me?
Choose the plan which you anticipate will provide you with the highest
benefit. Your plan choice is irrevocable once elected and will apply for any of
your other children for whom you may wish to use the benefit.
Under these early tuition grant programs, spouses of eligible employees could attend Duke
and earn an undergraduate degree. Is this still possible under the new program?
Under the 1986 Tuition Grant Program, spouses are not eligible. Spouses of employees under
the pre- or post-1975 programs retain their eligibility to obtain an undergraduate degree
at Duke (or at a neighboring accredited public college or university when the courses
sought are not available at Duke) only if they remain on either the pre- or post-1975
plan.
Many faculty who began teaching at Duke in September, 1986 signed contracts well in advance
of classes. For which tuition grant program would they qualify: the post-1975 or the
new program? If the date of the appointment letter is prior to July 1, 1986, they are
eligible for the post-1975 benefit until such time as they have attained five years of
service at Duke.
Which faculty members are eligible for the tuition grant program?
Full time faculty, instructors whose appointments are approved by the Board of
Trustees, and artists-in-residence are eligible. If you have further questions
pertaining to eligibility, please contact Benefits at 681-4617.
Does the offsetting of scholarships apply to the pre-1975, post-1975, and the 1986 tuition
grant plans? Yes, and the University reserves the right at any time to change or terminate this benefit or your
eligibility for benefits under the plan. *You are considered a "highly compensated employee" for 2007 if
you received compensation of $100,000 or more in 2006.
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