At Saint Mary’s Health Care, we value our employees and want to help them achieve their personal and professional goals as they advance their career with us. Therefore, we are pleased to offer the Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program. This program provides financial assistance to eligible employees for approved educational activities on a reimbursement basis.

Eligibility

• All employees who are budgeted for 40 hours or more per pay period
• Employed six months or longer at the time they enroll in the class
• Benefit eligible at the start and conclusion of the class
• No corrective action step 3, Final Written, in the last six months.
• Annual performance review must meet or exceed expectations in the aggregate score

Application. Complete and sign an Educational Benefit Program Application with program agreement and submit it to the Human Resources Department for review and approval before enrolling in classes. Once enrollment is approved, it is not necessary to resubmit an application as long as you remain eligible and enrolled in the program that was specified. An approval letter will be mailed directly to the employee.

Programs and courses eligible for reimbursement

• Educational programs offered through accredited colleges and universities that advance career potential and benefit Saint Mary’s Health Care (you must earn college credits, not continuing education credits (CEU’s))
• Attain a grade C or better in each course

To Obtain Reimbursement. Within 60 days of completion of each class:

• Provide to SMHC Human Resources all necessary financial information verifying the cost of tuition less any grants, scholarships, or other awards received for the eligible courses.
• Provide to SMHC Human Resources evidence of a C grade or better.

Reimbursement.

• Books and fees are not eligible for reimbursement
• Reimbursements will be made directly to employee
• Payments will be coordinated with grant and scholarships to ensure that reimbursements do not exceed your actual out-of-pocket costs.

Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program. Reimbursement Amount:

• 60% of the cost of tuition per credit hour
• Credit hour cost is capped at $250 undergraduate and $300 graduate
• Undergraduate maximum reimbursement is $150 per credit hour
• Graduate maximum reimbursement is $180 per credit hour
• Fiscal Year maximum reimbursement is $3600. (July 1 – June 30)

Commitment to Employment. In return for 60% reimbursement, the employee is required to remain employed in a benefit eligible position by Saint Mary’s Health Care for 6 months after receipt of reimbursement. Should an employee terminate employment in less than 6 months, Saint Mary’s Health Care will deduct from his/her pay the amount of reimbursement received in the 6 months prior to termination. An approved leave of absence shall not count toward the 6-month requirement.

Agreement.

1. I understand that I am responsible for paying my tuition and Saint Mary’s Health Care (SMHC) will reimburse me the applicable amounts that I am eligible for under the Educational Benefit Programs.
2. I acknowledge this program does not cover books and fees.
3. I understand to obtain reimbursement, I must provide all necessary financial information verifying the cost of tuition less any grants, scholarships, or other awards received for the eligible courses and evidence of grade to SMHC Human Resources within 60 days of the completion of the courses.
4. I understand that I should apply for any/all scholarships and grants for which I may be eligible.
5. I agree to remain employed and budgeted 40 hours per pay period by SMHC for at least six (6) months after receipt of reimbursement. If within six (6) months of receiving reimbursement I terminate employment (voluntarily or involuntarily – for reasons other than job elimination / restructuring activity, death or total and permanent disability), or reduce the number of hours budgeted per pay period below 40 hours I agree to pay back SMHC all reimbursement amounts received in the previous 6 months.
6. I agree that if payment under this agreement becomes due and owing, SMHC is authorized to withhold any expense reimbursements, vacation or other paid-time-off payments to which I am otherwise entitled, up to the amount of reimbursement payments received in the past 6 months. I further authorize SMHC to withhold from my final paycheck up to the amount of reimbursement payments received in the past 6 months.

Shortage Position Loan Program. In order to fill these shortage positions so that we may continue to offer quality care, and in keeping with our commitment to help you achieve your personal and professional goals as you advance your career with us, Saint Mary’s is pleased to offer the Shortage Position Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Eligible positions include:

• Registered Nurse
• Pharmacist
• Radiologist Technologist including CT, MRI and Ultrasound
• Registered Medical Technologist
• Radiation Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Reimbursement Amount:

• 100% of the cost of tuition
• Credit hour cost is capped at $250 undergraduate and $300 graduate
• Reimbursement at 100% applies only after the student is accepted into the degree program. General education requirements taken prior to acceptance into the program are reimbursed at 60% of tuition cost under the Employee Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Requirements:

• Provide proof of college acceptance into a shortage program
• Employees participating in the Shortage Position Tuition Reimbursement program are required to enter into a contractual arrangement with Saint Mary’s Health Care, agreeing to work for a period of three years following graduation from the program at a minimum of 40 hours per pay period over the entire three-year period.

Circumstances when reimbursement for this program is converted to a repayable loan. Reimbursement will convert to a loan and arrangements for repayment of 100% of the tuition reimbursement with interest shall be made within 30 days of the occurrence of any of these events:

• Termination of the employee’s participation in the education program
• Failure to achieve a minimum passing grade of C
• Termination of employment voluntary or involuntary prior to completion of the three-year agreement
• Change in status to less than benefit eligible

If the Shortage Position no longer exists, employees, who enter a program for a shortage position and sign the contractual agreement, will be allowed to finish the program under that agreement, even if the position is no longer considered shortage in subsequent years.

If Saint Mary’s, or any entity of Saint Mary’s Health Care does not have available positions upon graduation, the repayment provisions shall be waived.