Tuition Assistance Policies and Procedures
TUITION ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES
DANGER: IGNORING THIS INFORMATION IS EXPENSIVE!
Please familiarize yourself with these Tuition Assistance program policies and procedures including the deadlines to avoid being responsible for payment of full amount of tuition and fees.
Click here for printable policies and procedures
Tuition Assistance ETAP/PDA Eligibility
Full-Time Active Employee Tuition Assistance Eligibility:
For full-time active UAW represented hourly employees who have acquired seniority (90 days of employment).
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For tuition assistance programs, an active employee is defined as:
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An employee who is actively working on class start date or on one of the following approved leaves of absence: Union, Public Office, Peace Corp and Credit Union leaves. Employees on medical are not eligible for tuition assistance.
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An employee on temporary layoff (TLO)
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Employees on Indefinite Lay-Off (ILO) may utilize NVRAP funding for tuition, fees and books.
Temporary Employee Eligibility:
Temporary employees who have been on the active employment rolls for 90 days or more may utilize Personal Development Assistance (PDA) and Education Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP). These benefits become effective January 1st, 2024.
Note: Temporary employees are not eligible for PDA-Education Enrichment Courses (EEC).
Education Tuition Assistance Plan (ETAP)
Provides for prepayment of tuition and approved fees up to $8,000* per calendar year for approved courses leading to a GED, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, PhD and approved certificate/diploma programs from regionally accredited educational institutions. Also included are fees for prior learning assessment, CLEP Testing, and licensing fees.
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IMPORTANT DEADLINE – Applications must be submitted no later than 45 days after term start date. Failure to do so will result in employee being responsible for full amount of tuition and fees. Applications may be submitted as early as 60 days prior to term start.
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Not all schools and courses are approved; therefore, it is strongly recommended to submit an application for ETAP in advance to make sure selected school and course(s) are approved.
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Not all fees are covered by tuition assistance. Fees not approved are the responsibility of the employee.
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ETAP will cover the approved tuition and fees of each approved class only once. Subsequent applications for the same class at a later date or at another institution will be rejected.
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Once an application is approved, a voucher will be issued. The voucher is used as payment for the class when registering or when the school requires payment. See Vouchers section below for instructions on vouchers.
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Do not pay for classes prior to requesting ETAP. There is no option for tuition reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement is only available at approved schools that are documented as not accepting our vouchers. This is very rare. Call the tuition assistance office for assistance. Applications must be submitted within 45 days of term start date. Preapproval of courses is strongly recommended.
*Tuition Assistance paid out in excess of $5,250 per year is subject to applicable State and Federal taxes*
Personal Development Assistance (PDA)
The PDA feature of the Employee Tuition Plan provides for prepayment of tuition and approved fees up to $4000 (of the $8,000) for classes that improve or enhance a member’s position in the workplace.
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Includes classes such as: labor studies, public speaking, communication, professional development, computer classes and job related technical skills courses including testing and licensing fees. On-line PDA may be approved.
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Up to $1500 of the $4000 can be used for Educational Enrichment Courses (EEC) at approved educational institutions. These are courses that pique a member’s interest in learning and allow for career and educational exploration. Hobby and sports classes are excluded. (Note: Temporary employees are not eligible for PDA-EEC)
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Books and certain fees are covered.
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IMPORTANT DEADLINE – Classes must be approved prior to class start date. It is strongly recommended applications be submitted 30 days before class start date. Once classes are approved a voucher will be issued. Vouchers must be submitted to the provider prior to, but no later than, the first day of class, based on the school requirements. See Vouchers section below for instructions on voucher use.
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Employee cannot start class without an approved Official Tuition Voucher.
Textbook Reimbursement
Up to $1000 (of the $8,000) per year may be used for book reimbursement. E-Books, book rental, and books purchased through on-line retailers and applicable shipping costs are included.
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Apply for book reimbursement at myuawford.com.
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Original receipt of book purchase/rental must be included with application for book reimbursement.
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Employee must be registered and attending the course that book reimbursement is requested for.
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IMPORTANT DEADLINE – Book reimbursement applications must be submitted no later than 90 days after class start date.
Instructions on submitting a book reimbursement
How to apply for tuition assistance.
Apply online at www.myuawford.com. Application processing time is 2-3 business days.
Vouchers
Once classes are approved, an Official Tuition Voucher will be issued to the employee.
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Vouchers will be ready within 2-3 business days.
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Employees who have opted to receive communications from the system will receive a text message and/or e-mail stating that their application is approved.
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If the school has been set up for electronic vouchers, the employee will be prompted to release the voucher to the school electronically when logging into the system to review the voucher. Click here for instructions on releasing an electronic voucher
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Employee is responsible for submitting the voucher to the school by payment due date.
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Employee is responsible for following up with the school to verify the school has sent an invoice to the National Programs Center Tuition Assistance Department, and the invoice has been paid.
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IMPORTANT DEADLINE – Official Tuition Vouchers must be received by the National Programs Center Tuition Assistance Department from the school no later than 9 months from term start date. After 9 months payment will become the responsibility of the employee.
Important Deadlines
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ETAP applications must be submitted no later than 45 days after term start date. Failure to do so will result in employee being responsible for full amount of tuition and fees. Applications may be submitted as early as 60 days prior to term start.
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Book reimbursement applications must be submitted no later than 90 days after term start date.
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PDA applications must be approved prior to class/term start date. It is strongly recommended applications be submitted 30 days before class/term start date.
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The employee must ensure that the Official Tuition Vouchers was received or billed electronically to the Tuition Assistance Department from the school with their invoice, no later than 9 months after term start date. After 9 months payment will become the responsibility of the employee.
UAW-Ford Tuition Assistance for Active Employees Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact Information
For questions, contact the tuition assistance office by calling (313) 392-7000. Questions can also be sent via e-mail to edtp@uawford.com
