Doctoral Education Assistance Program Information

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Full-time budgeted employees at all A&M System universities, agencies, and Texas A&M University System offices are qualified for payment/reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees. The initiative began in the Spring 2022 semester for eligible employees who are pursuing approved doctoral programs at A&M System universities. By encouraging the professional and personal development of A&M System employees, this doctoral program is designed to invest in and assist employees further their knowledge, skills, and job effectiveness.

ELIGIBILITY

The following information outlines guidelines for the A&M System’s payment/reimbursement of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible employees pursuing approved doctoral programs at A&M System universities. This initiative began with the Spring 2022 semester. Under the direction of the chancellor, A&M System offices will conduct a sunset review in Summer 2024 for continuation, adjustment, or termination of the program. If the program is terminated, employees in the program would be “grandfathered in” through the end of their eligibility, as defined below. This program does not cover second doctorates, a medical degree, juris doctorate, or DBA from Prairie View.

Eligibility: Full-time, budgeted employees at A&M System universities, agencies, and offices, as qualified below. Texas A&M University employees including those at Galveston, Qatar, and TAMU Health who are approved to participate in the Doctoral Education Assistance Program cannot also receive (are ineligible for) the following: Employee Tuition Assistance, the TAMU Staff and Faculty Fee Exemption, funding from my department/office or academic department, nor waivers/exemptions.

FACULTY

1. Must be employed in a full-time, budgeted faculty position at an A&M System university or agency for no less than two long semesters before starting the program.
2. Must be employed in a full-time, budgeted faculty position at an A&M System university or agency each semester while in the program. Note: Summer eligibility for university faculty is contingent on meeting this standard the previous semester and presumed full-time employment the following semester. Summer eligibility for agency faculty is contingent on employment during the summer months.
3. Must be admitted to a doctoral program at an A&M System university, have at least a satisfactory employee performance review on file, be in good academic standing, and making progress toward degree completion (no minimum number of hours per semester required). The employee may be enrolled in a doctoral program at any university in the A&M System, not limited to their own employer. The doctoral program must be consistent with the faculty appointment such that completion of the degree would be recognized by SACSCOC as appropriate credentials on the reaffirmation faculty roster.
4. Funding eligibility is limited to six consecutive years following the initial tuition and fees payment. Extenuating circumstances may be reviewed for consideration by VP of HROE or designee.
5. No payments/reimbursements will be provided for additional courses outside the degree plan or auxiliary activities.

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF (NON-FACULTY)

1. Must be employed for a minimum of 12 months in a full-time, budgeted professional staff position at an A&M System university, agency, or office.
2. Must be employed in a full-time, budgeted professional staff position at an A&M System university, agency, or office each semester while in the program. Note: Summer eligibility is contingent on employment during the summer months.
3. Must be admitted to a doctoral program at an A&M System university, have at least a satisfactory employee performance review on file, be in good academic standing, and making progress toward degree completion (no minimum number of hours per semester required). The employee may be enrolled in a doctoral program at any university in the A&M System, not limited to their own employer. Doctoral program must be consistent with the mission of the office in which the administrator or staff member is employed.
4. Funding eligibility is limited to six consecutive years following the initial tuition and fees payment. Extenuating circumstances may be reviewed for consideration by VP of HROE or designee.
5. No payments/reimbursements will be provided for additional courses outside the degree plan or auxiliary activities.

FUNDING

All tuition and mandatory fees for courses required to complete the degree will be reimbursed to the institution.

1. The employee’s vice president must approve eligibility for this program.
2. Texas A&M University will provide a roster of eligible and enrolled employees to the Office of Academic Affairs at the A&M System, noting the employee’s name, UIN, university in which the employee is enrolled, and academic program pursued.

APPLICATION PROCESS

An employee seeking to apply for the Doctoral Education Assistance Program must submit the application form prior to the semester in which they are seeking assistance no later than the following dates. Applications submitted after these deadlines will not be accepted:

Spring Semester – January 2

Summer Semester – May 15

Fall Semester – August 1

** Since eligibility for the Doctoral Education Program is contingent upon employment status and degree program, employees are required to submit an application for funding each semester. If employees have inadvertently submitted an application for multiple semesters, they will need to immediately submit separate applications for each semester for which they are requesting funding. Application periods will only be open for one semester at a time during the dates below:

Spring Semester – Open August 2 to January 2

Summer Semester – Open January 3 to May 15

Fall Semester – Open May 16 to August 1