Tuition Remission Provides Education Opportunities to Baylor Employees

Arguably one of the most compelling benefits offered by Baylor to its employees is the Tuition Remission Program. In addition to remission for spouses and children, full-time Baylor faculty and staff can receive a 100 percent tuition remission benefit for two courses (no more than eight
hours) during any semester that would apply to an undergraduate and/or graduate degree. This program has opened the door for Baylor employees to complete past, unfinished goals and also to pursue new dreams and career ambitions.

However, the idea of balancing the
demands of work, home and school
can be a daunting thought. Leigh
Ann Moffett, director of emergency
management, says to not let those
concerns get in the way of pursuing your
degree. “I think a lot of people may
underestimate themselves and their ability
to maintain their work life and their home
life, especially if they have children,”
she said. “You definitely have to be
organized and get your act together, but
it’s completely doable.” Leigh Ann, who
has two daughters, recently received her
Master of Science in Information Systems
and previously completed her Bachelor
of Business Administration – both while
working at Baylor.

In many cases, Baylor employees
enhance and develop their work skills
through their studies. This was the
case for Leigh Ann, whose master’s
thesis has sparked discussions within
the Department of Public Safety about
the use of new spatial technology in
emergency situations. “When I looked
at my options [for graduate degrees at
Baylor] I felt like, based on what I do with
my responsibilities and my interests, that
[the MSIS] was really a good fit for me,”
she said. “So far that’s definitely been
the case.”]

A supportive work environment
is also a contributor to a successful,
work/home/school balance. For April
Edmond, commencement and course
action process coordinator, the Office of
the Registrar was extremely supportive.
“Even before I made the decision, [my
office] was pushing me for years to do it,”
she said. “They encourage everybody to
go if they haven’t finished or if they want
to pursue another degree.” April will
receive her Bachelor of Science degree in
communication sciences and disorders
this August and plans on pursuing a
Master of Science soon after.

April has also found welcome support
from her fellow students, despite their age
difference. “My first couple of semesters,
I hid in the back and sat in the last row
by the door for a quick escape. But in the
last couple of years, it’s been the same
students in class because we’re all in the
same major together, and I’ve just kind
of embraced it,” she said. “I have really
good friends who are very young, but
they don’t see me any differently. They
accept me for who I am and we learn a
lot together.”

For both April and Leigh Ann, as
well as many other Baylor employees,
the tuition remission offered by the
University is an outstanding opportunity
and one they encourage others to take
advantage of. “It’s definitely changed my
life. I’m so thankful for the opportunity,”
April said. “If I weren’t here then I
wouldn’t be pursuing it. It’s all thanks
to Baylor.”

For more information about
Baylor’s Tuition Remission Program,
visit baylor.edu/hr/benefits.