Tuition and Fees Privileges for Eligible Faculty and Staff

Executive Summary

Certain University employees are eligible for a waiver of tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte or any constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System during periods of normal employment, not to exceed three courses per year (except for eligible law enforcement officers), provided that the courses do not interfere with normal employment obligations.

I. University of North Carolina Policy

UNC System Policy 1000.2.2 and Regulation 1000.2.2.1[R] govern the waiver of tuition and fees for eligible faculty and staff members within the UNC system. The UNC System policy and regulations permit a constituent institution to waive tuition and fees for eligible faculty and staff members for up to three courses per year at the discretion of the constituent institution. Additionally, as set forth below, certain law enforcement officers may enroll in an unlimited number of courses per academic year.

Pursuant to UNC System Regulation 1000.2.2.1[R], the term “year” means an academic year of fall semester, spring semester, and the summer sessions that follow. The term “employee” means a faculty or staff member who is eligible for the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Such employees include:

1. Personnel of the United States armed forces during the time they are assigned under military orders to a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program of a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina (UNC) System as a permanent change of station; and
2. Civilian personnel federally employed 30 or more hours per week on a continuing basis in a position adjunct to an ROTC program of a constituent institution of the UNC System; and
3. Law enforcement officers at constituent institutions or affiliated entities with a probationary, time‐limited, or permanent appointment employed 20 or more hours per week on a continuing basis, regardless of eligibility for participation in either the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) or the UNC Optional Retirement Program (ORP). Temporary staff, including student temporary staff, are not considered law enforcement officers for purposes of this regulation.

II. UNC Charlotte Policy

1. This Policy incorporates the definitions and limitations in the UNC System policy (1000.2.2) and regulations (1000.2.2.1[R]).
2. Except as provided in Section II.C below, eligible faculty and staff members employed by UNC Charlotte may have tuition and certain fees waived for up to three UNC Charlotte for-credit academic courses per year (also referred to as the Tuition Waiver Program). No more than two of the three courses permitted each year may be taken during any single semester, and not more than one of the three courses may be taken during any single summer instructional period (first summer session, second summer session, and other periods of instruction falling between spring commencement and the first day of classes for the following fall semester).
3. UNC Charlotte law enforcement officers, excluding student employees who are working as part‐time law enforcement officers, may enroll in an unlimited number of courses per academic year with a waiver of tuition and certain fees. In addition to the other requirements of this Policy and UNC System regulations, enrollment in courses by a campus law enforcement officer is subject to approval by the UNC Charlotte Director of Police & Public Safety. Enrollment in courses by the Director of Police & Public Safety is subject to approval by the Associate Vice Chancellor of Safety & Security.
4. For a course enrollment to be approved under this Policy:
   1. The applicant must meet UNC System employment and eligibility requirements set forth in Section I above for the duration of the courses;
   2. The applicant must be academically eligible to enroll in the pertinent course, and there must be space available in the course;
   3. The applicant’s department chair or department head must certify that such enrollment will not interfere with satisfactory performance of normal employment obligations; and
   4. The applicant must continue their permanent employment status for the entire semester during which the course is taken, and is required to complete the full schedule of normal work obligations. Upon termination or other change in employment status during the term of the course that would make the employee ineligible for tuition and fee waiver under this Policy and the UNC System policy and regulations, the employee will be billed for the tuition and fees for the entire semester unless they have officially withdrawn from the class within the time frame designated by the University.
5. While summer school courses for academic credit are eligible for tuition waiver, no other for-credit or not-for-credit courses that are receipt-supported are eligible for such waiver without the advance written approval of the Provost.
6. UNC Charlotte faculty and staff members seeking to enroll in courses at campuses other than UNC Charlotte are advised that certain UNC system campuses may not waive tuition and fees for summer session courses. Faculty and staff members’ eligibility for tuition privileges are subject to the rules of the individual institutions.
7. Faculty and staff members from UNC System constituent institutions other than UNC Charlotte desiring to enroll in courses at UNC Charlotte should follow the procedures in the Regulations Implementing this Policy.

III. Implementation

The Chancellor is authorized to issue Regulations to implement this Policy.

Related Resources

• Implementing Regulations to University Policy 101.1 (Revised September 15, 2022)
• Tuition Waiver Program
• Tuition Waiver FAQ
• UNC Board of Governors Policy on the Waiver of Tuition and Fees for Faculty and Staff (1000.2.2)
• UNC Administrative Regulations on Waiver of Tuition and Fees for Faculty and Staff (1000.2.2.1[R])
• Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center (IRS)
• Academic Assistance Program, including ceiling rates (OSHR)

Authority

Board of Trustees

Policy Revisions