Advanced Academic Study - Staff Policy

The Advanced Academic Study Loan Policy grants assistance for advance degrees up to a lifetime maximum of $15,000 with an annual cap of $5,250 to full-time staff. The degree must be relevant for their current position or enhances their professional growth. The assistance is not guaranteed and is based on the needs of the institution and available funds.

Staff requesting a loan from the University to pursue further study must meet the following criteria:

• Staff must be employed full-time.
• If approved, commit to full-time employment with any AdventHealth facility for five years from the date of completion.

Approval Process

• Interested staff must first discuss their professional development plan with their reporting supervisor.
• Complete the Academic Study Application and Loan Agreement Form, along with their rationale for the program they are selecting.
• Have their reporting supervisor sign the form.
• The reporting supervisor will forward to the appropriate Vice President to take to President's Council for decision.
• The Vice President will communicate the decision to the employee.

The typical loan will be granted as follows:

• $5,250 annual cap
• $15,000 lifetime maximum

Under special circumstance, the University may agree to lend additional amounts.

Reimbursement

Reimbursement for tuition must be submitted with a grade report and receipts reflecting expenses on an expense report. If the educational institution is being paid directly, submit the grade report and invoice from the educational institution on a payment authorization voucher (PAV).

Grades

To receive reimbursement undergraduate students must have a grade of “C” or higher and graduate students must have a grade of “B” or higher.

Amortization

Repayment of the loan is the responsibility of the employee. He or she agrees to immediately repay AHU if:

• The degree is not completed in the agreed upon time frame.
• The employee ceases full-time employment at AHU or any AdventHealth facility.
• The employee is terminated from employment at AHU or AdventHealth facility.

The academic degree loan can be amortized through years of full-time employment following completion of the degree. Amortization will be calculated over five years.

Employees that matriculate into the MHA campus or online program at AHU will be exempt from paying tuition and fees during their enrollment and loan forgiveness will be based on the amortization schedule above.

If AHU should terminate an employee because of financial constraints or program phase-outs due to no fault of the employee, and if undue financial hardship, such as prolonged, forced unemployment, is thus placed upon the employee, AHU agrees to consider the specific situation and negotiate a reasonable settlement with the employee. However, should AHU terminate the employment of the employee for cause, he or she agrees to reimburse AHU the unamortized balance of the loan upon termination.