Zachary Community School Board
Educational Assistance Program

The Education Assistance Program helps employees finance formal education and Praxis exam fees. Education Assistance does not guarantee continued employment, new job assignments, pay increases, or promotions.

Funding for tuition reimbursement is available through Federal and State funds for the purpose of providing opportunities for teachers to take courses which assist in:

• meeting the Highly Qualified Definition,
• broadening job-related academic knowledge, and
• continuing Professional Growth.      

First consideration in approving requests for tuition exemption will be given to those persons who are seeking certification and highly qualified status under NCLB.  In addition, consideration will be given to certified teachers becoming certified and "highly qualified" in areas of critical shortage.

If funding is available, the following areas will also be considered:
1.  Teachers seeking advanced degrees in

A.    Core Content Areas
B.    Curriculum and Instruction,
C.    Administration and Supervision

2.  Teachers seeking additional content knowledge in their current areas of certification  and/or assignment.

3.   Administrators seeking professional growth through advanced degrees.

Eligibility:
All employees must be employed during the entire school semester for which assistance is sought:

• New Hires: Course must begin after your first day of employment.
• Separated Employees: Course must be completed during your time of employment.
• Employees on sabbatical leave will not be eligible for tuition reimbursement.
• Attend an accredited institution and must receive grades and college degree credits.

Reimbursement Process:
A maximum of twelve (12) credits will be reimbursed per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) except for teacher seeking highly qualified status in current position. Any courses starting prior to June 30 and ending after July 1 count toward the new fiscal year’s tuition reimbursement allotment. The twelve (12) credits may be taken together in one semester or in any semester within the fiscal year. These credit limitations apply to graduate and undergraduate level courses. Participants are eligible for up to $1500 of tuition reimbursement per semester except for teacher seeking highly qualified status in current position. This funding amount may change due to grant allocations.

• Reimbursement will be made equivalent to the current cost of graduate or undergraduate in-state tuition.
• Reimbursement will also be made for the cost of Praxis exams.
• Tuition for credit courses may be paid for participants who successfully complete approved courses as evidenced by a grade of A, B, C or Pass for a Pass/Fail course.
• Each participant for credit course must complete a Teacher Tuition Exemption application which must be signed by the Principal and submitted no later than 7 days after the start of the semester. 
• Late fees are the responsibility of the participant.
• Payment for credit courses is limited to tuition and includes only the academic registration fee.  The amount paid by the agency for tuition at a private college/university shall not exceed the highest tuition charged by a public college or university in the state.
• Other mandated fees charged by the university must be paid by the employee.
• All reimbursements will be paid within 30 days of receipt of grades.

Reimbursement Process:
In order to receive tuition reimbursement the following steps must be taken.

Download and complete an application for teacher tuition assistance. Register for the coursework and pay fees. Submit completed application with an itemized fee bill (including breakdown of charges) and proof of payment to Yolanda Williams, Director of Personnel within 7 days of start of semester. Participant then attends approved course(s). Upon completion of coursework, participant submits documentation of final grades or test results to Gwendolyn Longmire, Director of Federal Programs and Technology. After final approval, reimbursement will be paid to the particpant within 30 days of receipt of grades by the business department. Requests with incomplete documentation will not be processed.

Questions:
Questions may be directed to the Yolanda Williams, Director of Personnel or the Gwendolyn J. Longmire, Supervisor of Federal Programs & Technology at 225-658-4969.

Forms:

8G Application for HQ Assistance

Teacher Tuition Assistance Application