Eligibility

Am I Eligible for a PTS?

YES if:

• You’re a full-time salaried officer of administration, instruction, the libraries, or research, or you’re a member of the United Doctors Association (UDA); and
• You or your spouse/same-sex domestic partner has a natural or adopted son or daughter who is enrolled in grades K–8 at a private school.

NO if:

• You’re a visiting officer of instruction or research, or you’re a postdoctoral researcher, scholar, or fellow; or
• The child is in nursery school, pre-kindergarten, or grades 9 through 12.  Note: A PTS will cover only one year of kindergarten.

Other requirements:

• Both you and the child must live within the five boroughs of New York City; and
• The school must be located within the five boroughs of New York City.

Note: Eligibility is not affected when the officer is on a leave of absence (other than for lack of funding), provided the child still attends school within the five boroughs.

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How Soon Am I Eligible?

You can receive a PTS as soon as you are benefits eligible, though you will be only partially covered for a school year already underway.  The table below illustrates the portion of the PTS you are entitled to receive if you are newly hired.  Note:  The day of the month does not have an impact on your benefit. 

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What If My Employment Status Changes?

Layoff

If you are laid off during a school year, a PTS for that school year will not be revoked.  However, you won’t be eligible for a PTS for any subsequent year.  This policy also applies to leaves of absence due to lack of funding.

Retirement

Upon your retirement, your or your spouse’s/same-sex domestic partner’s dependent remains eligible for a PTS under the terms in effect for active officers at the time the application is submitted.

Note:  To retire, officers must be 55 years or older and must have completed ten years of full-time service.

Leave of Absence (other than for lack of funding)

A child’s eligibility for a PTS is not affected when you’re on a leave of absence other than for lack of funding, provided that the child continues to attend school within the five boroughs.

Death

If a deceased officer had completed ten years of full-time service at the time of death or retirement, any child of the officer or of the officer’s spouse or same-sex domestic partner is eligible for a PTS under the terms in effect for active officers at the time the application is submitted.

If a deceased officer had completed less than ten years of full-time service at the time of death, the child may receive a PTS only to complete a school year started before the officer’s death.

Resignation, Discharge or Release

If you resign, are discharged or released, or switch from a full-time to part-time appointment during a term, you must refund to Columbia a portion of any PTS benefit received for that school year.  The table at left tells you the portion of the PTS you’re entitled to retain if you leave in a given month.  Note that it doesn’t matter which day of the month marks the end of your eligibility; only the month matters.  (Eligibility officially ends at the close of business on the last day of the officer’s active employment with the University.)

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