Ariz. Admin. Code § 2-5A-405

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024

Section R2-5A-405 - [Effective 10/12/2024] Education Assistance

A. General. A state agency may assist an employee in the pursuit of educational goals by providing tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment assistance.

B. Tuition reimbursement. Prior to granting tuition reimbursement, an agency shall establish a policy which shall include the following conditions:

1. The educational program will provide a benefit to the state.

2. The employee shall successfully complete the required course work or the educational requirements of the program in order to receive reimbursement.

3. Education assistance may not exceed $5,250 per employee in any one calendar year unless approved in advance by the Director.

4. An employee who receives education assistance may be required to return all or a portion of the amount received if the employee does not remain employed with the agency for a defined period of time, as specified in the agency's policy.

C. Student loan repayment assistance. An agency that provides tuition reimbursement may also provide student loan assistance to an eligible employee in the repayment of student loans obtained by the employee and used for the actual costs paid for educational expenses and living expenses that occurred during the employee's undergraduate, graduate or professional education if the education is required or a selective preference for the employee's current position. Before granting student loan repayment assistance, an agency head shall develop a written policy that provides for equal consideration of all employees similarly situated. The policy will describe the need being addressed, and the benefit expected to be gained. The agency head shall submit the proposed policy and any subsequent changes to the Director for approval, and include at a minimum:

1. Eligibility requirements;

2. Request and approval procedures;

3. Documentation required to support the request for repayment assistance;

4. The monthly limit on student loan repayment assistance and a specified lifetime cap;

5. A requirement that the employee receiving student loan repayment assistance must provide to the agency monthly proof of payment of the monthly repayment amount for each active student loan approved for assistance;

6. Information regarding how an employee's leave of absence or separation affects student loan repayment assistance.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R2-5A-405

Section made by exempt rulemaking at 18 A.A.R. 2782, effective September 29, 2012 (Supp. 12-4). Amended by final rulemaking at 30 A.A.R. 2765, effective 10/12/2024.