Tuition Reimbursement: Investing in Our Staff
Fort Lee Public Schools is committed to supporting the continued growth and development of our staff. Through our Tuition Reimbursement program, eligible employees can receive financial assistance for approved coursework that enhances their skills, deepens their content knowledge, and ultimately benefits our students and school community.
Before enrolling in a course, staff should review the terms of their collective bargaining agreement to ensure that planned coursework meets eligibility requirements and reimbursement limits. Contract language can change over time, so referencing the most current agreement helps ensure you are selecting eligible programs and doing the necessary due diligence from the start.
A Course Approval Form must be submitted and approved before coursework begins, as this confirms the district's intent to support your learning experience. Please note, however, that approval of coursework does not guarantee reimbursement. Final payment is contingent upon the submission and verification of proof of payment and an official transcript showing successful completion of the course. Once all required documents are received and reviewed, reimbursement is processed according to the district's annual timeline.
Below you will find step-by-step instructions and procedural details to guide you through the tuition reimbursement process.
The Human Resources Department is happy to support you at any point along the way.
Course Approval Form Submission -
For those of you planning to apply for course approval and tuition reimbursement within the 2025-2026 cycle (classes that end between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026), please adhere to the following directions:
1. Log into your Genesis Employee Portal
2. Click on the Documents tab.
3. Click on the Employee Forms tab.
4. Make sure the Self Serve Forms tab is highlighted.
5. Click on "Fill Other Form in Self Serve Folder".
Select "Course Approval Form for Tuition Reimbursement" from the dropdown menu and click on "Choose and Fill Form".
6. Read ALL of the information on the form carefully as it explains important details.
7. Fill out all fields and upload only the following two documents:
- Course Relevance
- Course Description
8. When everything is complete, go ahead and click on "Sign and Submit".
If approved, you will be able to upload proof of payment and transcript copies to each individual form. Please note: without these two items, your tuition reimbursement will not be recommended for Board approval, regardless of having been approved to take the course(s).
Proof of Payment and Grade Verification -
Once the approved course is completed, please be sure to adhere to the following directions:
1. Log into your Genesis Employee Portal
2. Click on the Documents tab.
3. Click on the Employee Forms tab.
4. Make sure the Self Serve Forms tab is highlighted.
5. Select the course you would like to upload documents for and click on "View Form".
6. Once in the specific course form, scroll to the Attachments section and click on "Attach Documents".
7. Follow the directions to upload your proof or payment and official transcript.
Official transcripts should be sent to the Director of Human Resources directly. Once they are received, a PDF copy will be emailed to you, which you should then upload to the corresponding Course Approval Form.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S)
1. How many credits per year can I submit for reimbursement?
Eligible staff may submit up to 15 credits per year for reimbursement.
2. Must courses be graduate level?
Yes. All coursework must be graduate-level to qualify for reimbursement.
3. Are educational leadership or administrative courses eligible for reimbursement?
No. Administration/Supervision courses are not eligible for reimbursement.
4. What grades are required for reimbursement?
You must earn a grade of B or better, or a Pass in a Pass/Fail course for reimbursement.
5. Should I order an official transcript after taking each course?
No. Since reimbursement is only issued once a year, you may wait until you complete the last course in a particular school year cycle.
6. What is a school year cycle?
Reimbursement is assessed in school year cycles for courses that end between July 1 of any given year and June 30 of the following year.
7. Will I receive full reimbursement for the amount I paid?
The amount of tuition reimbursement paid per credit is determined by taking the total tuition reimbursement pool allocated for that school year (as outlined in the current contract) and dividing it by the total number of approved credits taken districtwide during that year. This means the per-credit reimbursement rate can vary annually based on the the number of participants and total approved credits.
8. If there is sufficient funding in the pool, will I be reimbursed for the entire amount I paid per credit?
No. Reimbursement will annually be set at no more than the lowest current rate being charged at a New Jersey college as of July 1 of that year and at no time shall exceed the actual cost of tuition.
9. When is reimbursement issued?
Reimbursement is issued once per year, typically on or about December 1 of the ensuing school year.
10. What should I do if I am not sure if my course will be approved?
Feel free to contact the HR Department if you are not sure your course will be approved.
DISCLAIMER
This list of FAQ's is not comprehensive. For a complete and authoritative set of guidelines, staff must refer to their current collective bargaining agreement and all applicable Board approved procedures.