Full-time employees may continue their education in a related field and OCU may reimburse all or part of the registration and tuition costs. Rules for this benefit are: 

1. All courses must be pre-approved by the HR Department. 

2. Once the course is completed, each employee must submit a certified transcript of grades, with receipts for expenses. 

3. OCU will reimburse education expenses as described below for the portion of the registration and tuition that was preapproved. 

4. There is a maximum of 2 approved courses per term and maximum of 5 approved courses or $2500 total per calendar year per individual. 

5. Costs for books are covered if books are not returnable for funds reimbursement. Other materials are not covered. 

6. Attendance in job-related courses after normal work hours, even if the course is a job requirement, does not qualify for overtime pay, as this is an elective program. 

7. In order to qualify for this Education Assistance benefit employees must: 

a. Advise our HR Department, prior to enrolling for the class, that they intend to take a particular course. The HR Department will advise each employee whether the course is of a nature that OCU will approve for partial or total reimbursement of tuition and fees. 

b. The course must be job-oriented and offered by an approved educational institution. 

c. Employees must have at least one (1) full year of service with OCU to be eligible. 

d. If employment with OCU terminates for any reason prior to completing the course, there will be no reimbursement; If employment terminates within 30 days after completing the course, the employee must pay back OCU. 

e. If an employee is eligible to receive educational benefits from other sources, such as the Veterans Administration, OCU will not reimburse educational expenses. 

8. The amount of course reimbursement is based on the final grade received for the course at the maximum of $170 per credit hour (Oregon Higher Education average credit hour), as follows: A = 100% B = 90% C = 75%