Spouses or same-sex domestic partners of Officers hired after July 1, 2011, are not eligible to receive the Tuition Exemption Benefit.

If the Officer has been continuously employed as a full-time, regular officer at Columbia University since June 30, 1993: 

• Undergraduate Tuition Exemption equals 100% of tuition cost but is only available if the spouse or same-sex domestic partner is accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program that begins by the Fall Term 2011. The undergraduate Tuition Exemption benefit will only be available for the completion of that degree program. 
• The spouse or same-sex domestic partner’s Tuition Exemption Benefit for graduate school or graduate-level courses equals seven points per term with the following exceptions:  Spouses and same-sex domestic partners of officers employed in the Law School are not eligible for this benefit, and those of other officers may not use the benefit for courses in the Law School.

If the Officer has been continuously employed as a full-time, regular officer at Columbia University since June 30, 1987:

• Undergraduate Tuition Exemption equals 100% of tuition cost but is only available if the spouse or same-sex domestic partner is accepted and enrolled in an undergraduate degree program that begins by the Fall Term 2011. The undergraduate Tuition Exemption benefit will only be available for the completion of that degree program. 
• The spouse or same-sex domestic partner’s Tuition Exemption Benefit for graduate school or graduate level courses equals 100% of tuition costs, with the following exceptions: Spouses and same-sex domestic partners of officers employed in the Law School are not eligible for this benefit, and those of other officers may not use the benefit for courses in the Law School.

In general, if the Officer’s employment is terminated, discharged or released by Columbia University—other than for cause—during a term, the Tuition Exemption Benefit for that term will not be revoked, as long as the Officer’s spouse or same-sex domestic partner was enrolled in a degree program. However, the Officer’s spouse or same-sex domestic partner will not be granted Tuition Exemption for any subsequent term.

If an Officer's employment is terminated for cause, the Officer will be required to refund the remaining portion of any Tuition Exemption Benefit received for the term, based on Refunding the Benefit below.

If an Officer resigns, eligibility for the Tuition Exemption Benefit for the spouse or same-sex domestic partner officially ends at the close of business on the last day of the Officer’s active, full-time employment.

If the Tuition Exemption Benefit has already been granted, the Officer will be required to refund a portion of the benefit, based on the Refunding the Benefit table below.

• Officers of Administration, Instruction, the Libraries: If an Officer is granted a paid or unpaid leave of absence, eligibility for the spouse or same-sex domestic partner is not affected.
• Officers of Research: If the Officer is put on a lapse-of-funding leave, and a term has already begun, the spouse’s or same-sex domestic partner’s Tuition Exemption Benefit will not be revoked for that term. However, the spouse or same-sex domestic partner will not be granted any further Tuition Exemption Benefits. If the Officer is granted a leave of absence other than for lapse of funding, the spouse’s or same-sex domestic partner’s eligibility for that term is not affected.

For a deceased Officer at any age, if the Officer had completed:

• Ten years of full-time service at death, the spouse or same-sex domestic partner is eligible to receive the Tuition Exemption Benefit only to complete a degree program for which they were eligible, and begun before the Officer’s death. The spouse or same-sex domestic partner has to remain continuously enrolled in the degree program.
• Less than ten years of full-time service at death, the spouse or same-sex domestic partner can finish the term in which he/she is currently registered.

Per Term

If the Officer leaves employment or 
the family member withdraws from classes:

1/4 Through Term

1/2 Through Term

3/4 Through Term

End of Term

You must refund:

75%

50%

25%

0%