Business Services

Faculty/Staff Tuition Program...

Employees of Southern Oregon University who meet requirements listed below are eligible for the employee tuition rate set at 30% of resident, undergraduate tuition, in addition to appropriate course fees.  Qualified family members also pay all mandatory fees.

Internal Revenue code section 117 mandates that educational assistance provided to family members of OUS employees enrolled in advanced degree programs or graduate-level classes for credit be reported as taxable income.  The difference between the reduced tuition and the regular graduate tuition will be taxed.

Retired employees and employees on leave are eligible for employee tuition privileges. Subject to approval by the president, the maximum credit-hour limitation may be waived for retired employees and employees on leave.

No application fee will be required of staff members who are eligible for the staff rate.  See OAR 580-022-0030 for additional information.

Eligibility Requirements for Administrative and Teaching Faculty

• Employees appointed at least half time (.50 FTE) may enroll for a maximum of twelve credit hours per term at the employee tuition rate. Credits over the 12-credit maximum are charged at the instructional rate.
• Employees must have a 9-month, 10-month, or 12-month contract.  

Eligibility Requirements for Classified Employees/Unclassified Professionals

• Temporary classified employees and graduate assistants and other student employees are ineligible for the employee tuition rate.
• Classified employees appointed at least half time (.50 FTE) are eligible for employee tuition privileges.
• A maximum of 12 credit hours per term may be taken at the employee tuition rate. More than 12 credits are charged at the instructional rate. The number of credit hours allowed during the work day shall be determined by the employee's supervisor and approved by the department head, taking into account the work load and staffing requirements of the department.
• A make-up schedule must be negotiated and approved by the immediate supervisor and department head for classes attended during working hours. Overtime is not accrued as a result of make-up time.  Mandatory enrollment fees include, but are not limited to, resource, health service, building, incidental, technology, and course fees will apply.

Staff Rate Exclusions

Campuses individually determine which courses qualify for staff fees privileges. A general list of Excluded Programs not eligible for the reduced tuition benefit is available at the Oregon University System Staff Fee Privilege webpage. Please check with each institution for specific course exclusions. The following courses and programs are not eligible for staff rates at SOU.

• Self-support courses
• Contract or sponsored courses
• High school/college programs
• Study abroad programs: Global Student Teaching, IE3 Global Internships, OUS, NCSA/AHA International.

Self-support and contract/sponsored courses can be found on the SOU online class schedule using the Advanced Search feature. Search by Session Code to find self-support and contract/sponsored courses. The Session Code can also be used as criteria in the Look Up Classes feature on the Student SISWeb tab of MySOU. These courses also have an attribute that indicates the course is not eligible for discounted tuition.

Transfer of Staff Fee Privileges

The Oregon University System Staff Fee Privileges program has been expanded to permit transfer of staff fee privileges to one qualified family member per term (spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child). The approved plan permits an employee to transfer up to twelve credit hours to one family member per term. This Oregon State Board of Higher Education policy will be administered by the Office of Human Resources under the guidelines set forth by the Oregon University System under the Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 580-022-0031. For further information regarding the Staff Fee Tuition Policy and links to all related forms (including the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership), as well as a list of all Excluded Programs not eligible for the reduced tuition benefit, please refer to the Oregon University System Staff Fee Privilege webpage.

Application Deadline for Employees

Your completed Staff Fee Privileges Employee Approval Form must be completed and submitted to Brett Ainsworth, Benefits Specialist, at the Human Resources Office two days prior to the start of the term.

Application Deadline for Family Transfer of Staff Fee Privileges

Your completed Staff Fee Privileges Family Transfer Approval Form must be completed and submitted to Brett Ainsworth, Benefits Specialist, at the Human Resources Office two weeks prior to the start of the term.

*This deadline schedule allows sufficient time for Human Resources to determine your eligibility and forward the form to the appropriate institution.

Payment Deadline for Staff and Family Members

In order to avoid late payment fees, you must pay the minimum amount due by
the following due dates:

Fees Assessed Under Staff Fee Privileges

Financial Aid

Financial Aid students utilizing staff fees must see a financial aid advisor. Students receiving financial aid and utilizing the staff fee privileges who completely withdraw from courses may be required to repay some or all of Title IV funds.

Questions and concerns about eligibility should be directed to:

Brett Ainsworth
Benefits Specialist
Southern Oregon University
Human Resources Office, Britt Hall
ainswortb@sou.edu
Ph:  541.552.6167
Fax: 541.552.6573

Questions and concerns about staff rate fees should be directed to:

Brett Kinsey
Information Technology Consultant
Southern Oregon University
Enrollment Services, Britt Hall
kinseyb1@sou.edu
Ph: 541.552.8601