Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
Georgetown University offers tuition benefits to employees and their children through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). These benefits can be used for either studies at Georgetown University or at other U.S. accredited institutions of higher education. The benefit provided for studies at any institution other than Georgetown University is referred to as the "portable" benefit. Employees may use these benefits for undergraduate or graduate studies; dependent children may use these benefits for undergraduate studies only (certain exceptions may apply). Lifetime maximums apply.
Information for 2011 Fall Semester TAP Applicants
Who is Eligible?
You are eligible for TAP benefits if you:
- Maintain continuous TAP-eligible employment with no break in service;
- Are a regular staff employee (including those represented by Allied International Union and the SEIU 1199), hired to work at least 36 hours per week;
- Are an academic employee hired to work at least 90% time (fellows are excluded); or
- Are a retiree;
- Children of faculty and staff are also eligible for tuition benefits. There is a specific definition of "child" or "children" for the purposes of the TAP. An eligible child is an eligible employee's natural child, adopted child, child under legal guardianship as evidenced by official court documentation, or stepchild dependent for support.
- You meet the service requirements for eligibility by the first day of Georgetown University main campus classes. Please note, the first day of main campus classes is subject to change each academic year. If your hire date falls AFTER the first day of classes, your TAP benefit becomes effective in the next semester. (For example, your hire date is September 6, 2007. The first day of main campus classes in Fall 2007 Semester is August 29, 2007. Since your hire date is after the first day of classes in that academic year, your TAP benefit becomes effective Spring 2008 Semester.)
TAP benefits will be paid as detailed in this section of the website. Please note that the benefits offered to employees hired on or before December 31, 1995 include a special provision for dependents enrolled at Georgetown University.
The TAP Application Process
To process your TAP benefit payment, the following steps are required each semester. There is no advantage to applying for your TAP benefit prior to enrollment and course registration.
1) Enroll in the academic program (either GU or outside institution)
2) Register for class (GU students only)
3) Apply online for the TAP benefit each semester you intend to use the benefit
4) Submit your TAP Online Confirmation, an itemized tuition invoice*, and any additional required supporting documentation to:
Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits, Healy Hall, Ground Level
5) The Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits will verify TAP-eligibility and TAP remaining balance. Either the GU student account will be credited, or a check will be mailed to the outside institution within 2-3 weeks of receipt of all required documentation
* Please note: the student’s itemized tuition invoice must identify the following:
a) student name
b) school name
c) course level, course number, and/or course name
d) tuition amount
(A generic statement of fees is not accepted in lieu of the school’s tuition invoice. An electronic printout of the student account record is acceptable if the above information is shown.)
If the student adds or drops courses after the TAP benefit has been disbursed, the student is responsible for contacting benefitshelp@georgetown.edu to request an adjustment to the TAP disbursement. The Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits does not monitor student account records, nor do we receive notification of course changes.
When Eligibility Ends
If you terminate employment or move to a benefits ineligible position during a semester while you or your dependents are using TAP benefits, you will not be required to reimburse Georgetown for that semester, but you will not be eligible for TAP benefits for any subsequent semester.
