Fellowship Program

Full-time, benefits-eligible, administrative employees seeking to participate in a doctoral or master’s degree program at other institutions are eligible to participate in the Fellowship Program. As part of this program, Bryant University will pay tuition and fees up to a maximum of $30,000 for a work-related master’s or doctoral program (at an accredited institution) that is not covered under Bryant’s tuition remission program.

Master’s Degree Program

 The following will apply:

• Applicants must have been an employee for at least two (2) years prior to application
• To be fully absolved of indebtedness, an approved employee will be required to work at Bryant University for a minimum of two (2) years following the receipt of their degree. If an approved employee leaves the employ of the University prior to that time, they will be responsible to reimburse Bryant University for the tuition and fees associated with the academic program based on the following scale:
  • 0 – 1 year following receipt of degree – 100%
  • >=1 but less than 2 – 50%
  • 2+ years of service – 0%
• Continued participation in the Fellowship Program will be contingent upon meeting the Program’s guidelines.  Participants will be reimbursed for courses upon presenting satisfactory evidence of a grade of C or better.
• For granted fellowships, it is anticipated that master’s programs will have a maximum of 4 years to complete.

Doctoral Degree Program

The following will apply:

• Applicants must have been an employee for at least five (5) years prior to application
• To be fully absolved of indebtedness, an approved employee will be required to work at Bryant University for a minimum of five (5) years following the receipt of their degree. If an approved employee leaves the employ of the University prior to that time, they will be responsible to reimburse Bryant University for the tuition and fees associated with the academic program based on the following scale:
  • 0 – 1 year following receipt of degree – 100%
  • >=1 but less than 2 – 80%
  • >=2 but less than 3 – 60%
  • >=3 but less than 4 – 40%
  • >=4 but less than 5 – 20%
  • 5+ years of service – 0%
• Continued participation in the Fellowship Program will be contingent upon meeting the Program’s guidelines. Participants will be reimbursed for courses upon presenting satisfactory evidence of a grade of C or better.
• For granted fellowships, it is anticipated that doctoral programs will have a maximum of 5 years to complete.

Procedure:

• Employees must complete an Administrative Fellowship Application Form (available from Human Resources), which will include the following:
  • How the degree will enhance their job performance.
  • How they will manage the balance of work and their academic program.
    • Any time for class attendance that would be during normally scheduled business hours must be approved in advance by the divisional vice president/provost on a semester basis
  • The expected duration of the program.
  • The names of expected institutions for the degree.
• Administrative Fellowship Applications must be submitted to the division Vice Presidents/Provost for initial review and recommendation by:
  • February 15th – Fall Start
  • August 15th – Spring Start
• Finalized Administrative Fellowship Applications will be submitted for consideration by the Fellowship Review Team (FRT), which shall consist of the Vice President for Human Resources and the appropriate Division Head. The FRT may request additional information and/or submit their recommendation to the President for their consideration and approval.
• Employees will be notified of acceptance into a Fellowship Program within 45 days of application.
• Consistent with IRS regulations relative to tuition assistance provided by an employer, the value of the fellowship benefit, totalling more than $5,250 annually, is considered a taxable employee benefit.
• No one can be given any assurance of graduate degree program assistance until the above process is completed, after they are employed.
• The degree-granting institution must be accredited and approved by the University prior to the final authorisation for fellowship. Such approval can be obtained in advance of acceptance into the program(s).
• This program is subject to modification and change on an annual basis based upon the institution’s financial ability to fund the program. However, once a fellowship is granted, the institution will pay for the full fellowship as long as the student is in good standing up to the maximum agreed upon.
• If the enrolled student does not complete the program within the allotted time frame outlined above but has received the fellowship, they will be required to pay back the money owed. Extenuating conditions that may have led to the individual’s inability to complete the program may be considered for extension or repayment waiver by the FRT.

Faculty members should refer to the collective bargaining agreement for information pertaining to the faculty fellowship program.