Tuition Assistance
The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) was created in 2014 to assist employees with their ongoing development, and to support the College’s strategic goal to attract, retain and develop a strong team.
Since its inception, TAP has assisted qualified, permanent, full-time, and regular part-time support and administrative staff to pay for a portion of the tuition costs associated with their educational endeavors.
As we work collectively to address our enrolment and budget challenges, the College has made the decision to suspend any new applications for the TAP for the 2025-2026 budget year.
Employees who had already been approved for the 2025-26 fiscal year will receive support under the program. Funding for TAP is approved annually for the fiscal year. The College will revisit funding for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
To close this gap, and recognizing the importance of continuous learning, the college will explore ways to enhance internal professional development opportunities that nurture and support leaders, aspiring leaders and individual contributors across the organization.
2025-26 Tuition Assistance
Information for approved program participants
How to Apply for Reimbursement
If you have been approved for funding you can apply for tuition reimbursement once you have completed a course/semester/program.
- Download and fill out the Tuition Reimbursement Form.
- Attach proof of tuition, book, and/or fee payment and documentation (copy of transcript, syllabus or grade report) to show that the course/semester/program was successfully completed.
- Submit the form and documentation via email to the Centre for Organizational Excellence at [email protected].
- The deadline to submit your reimbursement is before the end of the fiscal year in which you complete your course(s)/semester/program. For example: An employee completes a course on January 31, 2025. Paperwork for reimbursement for this course must be submitted to COE prior to March 15, 2025.
Tuition reimbursement forms that are received after the close of fiscal will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis.
Form/Document Quick Links
Tuition Assistance Forms Tuition Assistance Policy and PracticeFrequently Asked Questions
Decisions about funding are made annually. When employees apply to the program, they outline the expected costs of the full program and its expected length. Once an employee’s studies are approved, they are eligible for their first year of tuition fee assistance. Requests for subsequent years of assistance are triggered through submission of Tuition Assistance Study Plan.
Decisions on subsequent years of funding will be based on the successful completion of the study plans, successful completion of coursework, continued support of the employee’s supervisor, the employee’s performance, and funding for the program.
The College will provide reimbursement for 50% of tuition, books, and exam fees, up to a lifetime maximum dependent on the type of course being completed by the employee. No other fees or expenses qualify for reimbursement, including late registration fees, student fees, materials, travel, etc.
The study plan assist the College to accurately determine the funds needed for the program each year.
Study plans are how we determine budget allocations, without updated study plans funding for subsequent years may be in jeopardy.
In the event that an employee, who received financial support via this policy, terminate their employment from the College, they shall be required to refund 50% of the assistance received from the College if they are leaving:
- Prior to completion of their credential;
- Within two (2) years from the conferral of their credential (credit courses); or
- Within one (1) year from completion of their non-credit program
Except in the case of extenuating circumstances, employees who withdraw from their program of study are required to pay back 50% of the assistance received from the College.
No, approval to participate in the Niagara College Tuition Assistance Practice does not mean that a faculty member has received the necessary approvals for further formal education for the purpose of additional progression steps. That process needs to be completed separately as outlined in the practice on Formal Education for the Purpose of Additional Progression Steps.
The CRA generally considers tuition fees paid to an employee taking credit courses leading towards a certificate, diploma, or degree and non-credit courses leading towards a certificate, micro-credential, or professional designation in a field that relates to an employee’s current or future work responsibilities a non-taxable benefit. For further information visit this Government of Canada website about scholarships, bursaries, tuition and training.
In March each year the College’s Finance department will send a statement to all employees who have received tuition funding during the past tax year. Taxable benefits are determined in accordance with the regulations established by the Canada Revenue Agency. We encourage those who have received funding to discuss the tax implications with their tax preparer.
An employee who does not successfully complete a course must re-apply for consideration for Tuition Assistance the following year as outlined in this practice. Exception will be provided in the case of extenuating circumstances. If you have any further questions, please feel free to connect with our office and we would be happy to help.
Email: [email protected]
Decisions about funding for TAP are made annually as part of the College’s budget process. Decisions to fund an employee for subsequent years of funding will be based on the successful completion of the study plans, successful completion of coursework, continued support of the employee’s supervisor, the employee’s performance, and funding for the program.
The study plans completed and submitted to the COE in January help us to accurately determine the funds needed for the program each year. Please reach out to the COE to see if any changes to your submitted study plan can be accommodated.
Currently, funding is approved for current participants for courses completed until the end March 31, 2026. Funding for subsequent years will be determined in Spring 2026.
Questions?
For more information on this program, please read our Frequently Asked Questions above, or contact the Centre for Organizational Excellence by email at [email protected].