Drexel University Tuition Remission Policy: A Comprehensive Guide

Drexel University provides a tuition remission program for its employees, their spouses/domestic partners, and dependent children, enabling them to pursue educational opportunities at the University. This article explores the details of this valuable benefit, including eligibility requirements, covered programs, application procedures, and other relevant information.

Who is Eligible for Tuition Remission?

Drexel University's tuition remission policy, as detailed in HR-22, extends benefits to several categories:

Full-time Employees: Drexel offers tuition remission to full-time employees for coursework taken at the University. However, full-time employees cannot be enrolled in full-time coursework (12 credits a term for undergraduate, 9 credits a term for graduate) while employed full-time. This restriction also makes employees receiving remission ineligible for any Drexel scholarships or grants at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Spouses and Dependent Children: Drexel University and the Academy of Natural Sciences provide tuition assistance to qualified spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children of eligible full-time faculty and professional staff for undergraduate credit courses taken at Drexel University.

Eligibility Details at Temple University

For comparison, it's useful to examine a similar program at another institution, Temple University, to understand the nuances of such policies. Please note that the following information pertains to Temple University's policy and may not directly apply to Drexel University.

Temple University Eligibility:

Full-time Regular Employees and Faculty: Beginning the first semester after hire, faculty and staff can receive 100% tuition remission for eligible courses, up to eight (8) credits for undergraduate or graduate courses per semester.
Spouse/Certified Domestic Partner: Spouses or certified domestic partners of full-time faculty members or full-time administrative employees (grade T26 or above) are eligible for 50% tuition remission for eligible undergraduate/graduate courses starting the first semester after hire.
Dependent Children:
- Hired Before July 1, 2014: 100% tuition remission for undergraduate courses, up to ten (10) semesters.
- Hired July 1, 2014, and After:
  - Year 1 of service: 50% undergraduate tuition remission.
  - Year 2 of service: 75% undergraduate tuition remission.
  - Beginning the 1st semester following completion of 3 years of service: 100% undergraduate tuition remission.
  - This date applies to Non-Bargaining employees and Faculty. Employees and Faculty members covered under collective bargaining agreements are subject to the tuition remission provisions specified in their respective agreements.
Retired Full-time Administrative Staff and Faculty: Retirees who were full-time faculty or administrative staff are eligible for the same tuition remission benefits they were eligible for on their retirement day.
Death of Employee: If a full-time faculty or administrative staff member with at least 10 years of service dies before retirement, their children under the age of 24 are eligible for tuition benefits for up to 10 semesters, including any semesters already completed at the time of the parent’s death.

Temple University - Dependent Eligibility

Eligible dependent children may be full-time matriculated students, part-time matriculated, or non-matriculated students. An eligible dependent child who is a full-time matriculated student may receive tuition remission.

Covered Programs and Courses

Drexel University offers tuition remission for most University programs as part-time students.

Temple University - Professional Programs

No tuition remission is given for courses taken in Temple University’s Schools of Law, Medicine, Dentistry, or Podiatric Medicine, with the exception of specially designated graduate courses as determined by the Dean’s Offices of the specific professional schools. In the School of Pharmacy, tuition remission is limited to undergraduate programs.

Temple University - Covered Semesters for Dependent Children

Fall/Spring semester(s)

Summer sessions

Temple Abroad

Tuition remission for up to 10 semesters to complete a degree in a Temple University undergraduate program.

Read also: Drexel University Scholarships

For purposes of this policy, either one or both consecutive summer sessions are counted as a single semester, and therefore, will be counted as one of the 10 semesters for which a dependent child is eligible under Temple University’s tuition remission program.

Covers Temple University courses taken as part of Temple Abroad provided that he or she applies for and is accepted into the program through Temple University’s standard admission process.

Tax Implications

Graduate and spousal/partner tuition benefits are often considered taxable income. Under current tax law, the value of employee graduate tuition benefits exceeding $5,250 may be included in the employee’s taxable wages, with applicable taxes withheld during the year the benefits are received. Spousal/partner tuition benefits, both undergraduate and graduate, are generally considered a taxable benefit.

Application Process for Drexel University Tuition Remission

To apply for Drexel University Tuition Remission, use the online portal DrexelOne.

Employees applying for tuition remission for themselves must complete the online application process before every academic year for which they intend to register. Applications are due by July 1, prior to the start of the upcoming academic year.
Enter beneficiary (ies).
Upload required dependent verification documentation.
Qualified family member tuition remission applications follow the same timeline used by families to apply for institutional grants and scholarships. Full-time benefits-eligible employees will receive an automated notification that the application was submitted.

Temple University - Application Process

Step 1:Register for the course(s). For assistance with the registration process, you may contact the Academic Resource Center.

Step 2:With registration complete, employees need to complete the tuition remission request in TUportal. Select the Staff Tools Tab and navigate to the Benefits Channel.

Important Considerations

Enrollment Restrictions: Full-time employees may not be enrolled in full-time (12 credits a term for undergraduate, 9 credits a term for graduate) coursework while they are full-time employees of the University.
Scholarships and Grants: Employees receiving tuition remission are generally ineligible for Drexel scholarships or grants at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Merit Scholarships and Need-Based Grants: Dependent children and spouses of employees enrolling in full-time undergraduate programs may be considered for Drexel merit scholarships and need-based grants before tuition remission eligibility is determined. Consideration for these awards is based on academic achievement for scholarships and financial need (as determined by the CSS Profile) for grants. Tuition remission eligibility is determined by Human Resources after the February 1 tuition remission application deadline.
Academic Standing: Employees and their eligible dependents receiving tuition remission must remain in good academic standing.
Outstanding Balances: Employees may not use tuition remission benefits unless their account is current or they have made arrangements to pay any past-due balance in full by the end of the current semester.

Additional Information and Resources

LeBow College of Business: Drexel employees can use tuition remission for part-time evening and online MBA programs at the LeBow College of Business and are eligible for an application-fee waiver for any of LeBow’s MBA or MS programs. The LeBow Graduate Enrollment team provides information sessions for Drexel employees about navigating the application process, using tuition remission, and fitting part-time degree programs into work schedules. The HR Benefits team is available to answer questions about tuition remission.
Policy Compliance: All existing Official University Policies must be converted to the Word document version of the new Policy Template (with each relevant section of the template completed) and submitted to the Director of Policy Compliance in order to be reviewed and included in the Official University Policy Directory after Feb.
Benefits Center: You may contact the Benefits Center at 1.844.690.3992 with questions.

Other Benefits and Resources at Drexel University

While tuition remission is a significant benefit, Drexel University offers a wide range of resources and programs to support employee well-being and professional development. Here are a few examples:

Wellness Incentive Program: Benefits-eligible faculty and professional staff are invited to register for the upcoming webinar, “Navigating the Wellness Incentive Program,” on Feb. Earn 15 wellness points ($15) for attending, and learn how to optimize your well-being through different features of the Wellness Incentive Program. for benefits-eligible faculty and professional staff who participate in the Wellness Incentive Program. This 15-minute screening is a great way to capture an overall snapshot of your health.
Winter Olympics Personal Wellness Challenge: Drexel Recreational Athletics and Human Resources are hosting a Winter Olympics Personal Wellness Challenge from Feb. 4-20. Exercise for 30 minutes at least six times during the challenge period to earn 25 Wellness Incentive Program points and either a comfy, cozy Employee Olympics commemorative scarf or A Healthier U logo mug*. It’s not too late to join! *Scarves and mugs will be available for pick-up at the Drexel Recreation Center in late February. These items are in limited supply, so we cannot guarantee which prize you will receive. Scarves and mugs must be claimed in person.
Designated Eating Locations: There are two tents on the University City Campus that have seating and heat for the winter term: Daskalakis Athletic Center Fitness Plaza and The Gateway Garden (32nd and Market streets). For a full list and interactive map of Designated Indoor Eating Locations and Outdoor Locations, open the DrexelOne Mobile App, click on Menu > Find > Other Places, and use the filters to view locations.
Drexel University Tech Store: As part of the Drexel University Barnes & Noble renovation completed in fall 2021, the bookstore added the Drexel University Tech Store, which serves as a one-stop-shop (sales, service and repairs) for Apple devices and accessories. Drexel students, faculty and professional staff can receive an education discount on Apple devices.
Cocoa with Cops: Come say “hi” to the Public Safety folks over some delicious hot chocolate! Stop by the southeast corner of 33rd and Arch streets (near the entrance to Buckley Field) for Cocoa with Cops on the following dates and times: Feb.
Situational Awareness Training: Finally, learn all about situational awareness by participating in an interactive Zoom training, “Your Safety Is Our Goal,” on Feb.
Compliance Program Services: Please provide valuable feedback to Compliance Program Services by completing this Awareness Survey via Qualtrics. All responses are completely anonymous. Feedback will be used to enhance the Compliance Program at Drexel.
Addressing Antisemitism: In an effort to inform the Drexel population about the issue of antisemitic rhetoric and behavior, a partnership between the Pennoni Honors College, Drexel Hillel, Jewish Studies and the College of Arts & Sciences seeks to create a storytelling event on the Drexel University campus in spring 2022. The goal is to bring together students, faculty, staff and members of the community to consider the present-day implications of discrimination against Jews. Rather than a panel discussion or conference, this event will showcase stories that reflect real-life experience and give a more vivid, first-hand account of antisemitism.
Fixed Asset Confirmation: Fiscal year 2022 (FY'22) is considered a base year for developing the facilities and administrative (F&A) rate proposal for submission to the Division of Cost Allocation (DCA) of the Department of Health and Human Services. The F&A rate proposal is the tool used to set the indirect cost rates for the University. Drexel’s proposal is required to be submitted to DCA in January 2023 based on the financial activity of FY'22. Representatives from Asset Services are on campus for the inventory process as of Jan. 24., with an anticipated completion of May 2022. General Accounting will use this data as the annual fixed asset confirmation.*LaScala’s FIRE, a wood-fire Italian American restaurant with a modern twist, is opening a new location soon in Chestnut Square (the former Zavino retail space). The menu is updated with a protein, starch, and vegetable of the day and more, such as stews, tacos, stir-fry, etc. Grilled chicken, white rice and a steamed vegetable are available every day. for lunch and dinner.*If you missed this panel discussion on Jan. 12, you can view a recording of “A Frank Conversation: Disability Inclusion and Ableism,” which reviewed the history of the disability rights movement leading to the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (1973). The legal landscape set the tone for compliance in public and private settings, granting individuals with disabilities with protections to equal access and equal opportunity. The panel discussion highlighted diversity through the lens of disability and identified the barriers presented by ableist views and biases. Remember to review your first paystub of the year to ensure that your Open Enrollment elections are accurately reflected in your benefit deductions. The funds will be deposited in your HSA account within two weeks after your first pay in January 2022. Employee contributions will follow the same time frame in subsequent pays.*Benefitexpress is now known as benefitexpress, a WEX company. The administration of Drexel’s FSA and Commuter benefits moved to a new platform as of Jan.

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