As a full-time regularly appointed employee of Rutgers University, you and your dependent children may be eligible for tuition remission benefits pursuant to negotiated agreements and University policy. This checklist is designed to assist you in the process of becoming a student at the university which is the first step towards utilizing tuition remission benefits.
- Apply - Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree, are a nontraditional student wishing to attend Rutgers on a part-time basis, or want to pursue a graduate degree, the first step is to contact the appropriate Admissions Office.
- Tour - You may want to take a tour of the campus to become acquainted with the academic and student service offices available to you.
- Admitted Students - Once admitted, it’s important to acknowledge with the Admission’s Office your plans of actually attending Rutgers.
- Placement Exams - You may need to take placement exams before enrolling in classes. If applicable, you’ll receive information about placement exams once admitted.
- Select Classes - You’ll receive information from the Registrar’s Office about selecting classes from the school or college you plan to attend.
- Term Bill - After you have selected classes, you’ll receive a term bill from Student Accounting Services. Your term bill will include tuition for the credits you’re taking, fees, and other applicable charges.
Apply for Tuition Remission
For Employee:
- Complete the Tuition Remission enrollment online by visiting the “Employee Self Service” tab in the my Rutgers Portal.
For Dependent Children:
- The application for dependent remission must be completed. Tuition Remission Dependent Enrollment is online, in the "Personal Information" section under the "Employee Self Service" tab at my Rutgers Portal.
- Dependent Tuition Remission does not apply to graduate programs.
Pay Term Bill – Receive Tuition Remission
- Pay your fees and other charges on your term bill. Tuition for yourself is either paid in full or at 50%, depending on your salary if staff or rank if faculty member. Tuition for your child is paid in full.
The above checklist is designed to assist you in obtaining tuition remission benefits. It does not replace official university policy nor implies admission. For tuition remission eligibility rules, please refer to the University Human Resources policy on Educational Benefits.
How do I, as an employee, calculate in advance the approximate tax impact of my employee graduate tuition remission?
- Overview:
- Full value of staff/faculty graduate tuition remission is subject to New Jersey state tax withholding (unless student is in a TA or GA position)
- Under federal regulations, any graduate tuition remission benefit over $5,250 per calendar year is also considered taxable (unless student is in a TA or GA position)
- Federal withholding will begin in the first semester in which remission benefit exceeds $5,250 and every subsequent semester during the calendar year when remission is used.
- State taxes will be withheld according to the tax withholding schedule for each semester that remission is used. For the current year tax withholding schedule click on the 'Does Tuition Remission Affect My Taxes' dropdown on the FAQs listed here.
- Tax Impact to Paycheck:
- Add your full employee tuition remission amountto your estimated biweekly salary. This equals your total estimated taxable compensation. This figure will be used when calculating your Federal and State withholding. Although the amount of your taxable employee tuition remissionis not included in your pay as wages you are responsible for paying State and Federal tax on the amount.
- Although the amount of your tuition remission is applied equally across four pay periods, the tax impact could be less in the first 1-2 pay periods due to the exclusion of federal tax on the first $5,250 of tuition remission.
An Example:
If the taxable employee tuition remission is $8000 it will be divided into $2000 per pay and the first $5,250 will be subject to state tax only.
Paycheck 1 $2000 is subject to State Tax only
Paycheck 2 $2000 is subject to State Tax only
Paycheck 3 $1250 is subject to State Tax only and $750 is subject to both State and Federal Tax
Paycheck 4 $2000 is subject to both State and Federal Tax