Education Benefits

Berea College supports the continuous learning of regular, full-time, non-faculty employees through professional development and job-related study. The Benefit: The College provides a maximum reimbursement of $2,600 per person, per calendar year. This is typically limited to two semesters (Fall and Spring), or one semester and a summer session. The Specifics: This is primarily for courses taken at other accredited institutions (like EKU) if the course is not offered at Berea or if a supervisor agrees another institution is a better fit. Procedures: You must submit a “Request for Tuition Reimbursement Form” at least 30 days before the course begins. A key condition of this benefit is a “stay” requirement – you must remain employed at Berea for at least six months after completing the course, or the reimbursement must be repaid.

Read more about this benefit here: Tuition Reimbursement Policy

Submit a request for Tuition Reimbursement Here

Berea participates in two major exchange networks (CIC and TEP) that allow your dependents to attend other colleges with significant tuition remission.

• CIC (Council of Independent Colleges): Covers roughly 380 institutions. There is no waiting period for new employees to apply for this for their children, and it typically covers the full cost of tuition for up to four years.
• TEP (Tuition Exchange, Inc.): Covers over 600 institutions. This requires a two-year waiting period (of consecutive full-time service) before an employee is eligible to “export” a student. Unlike CIC, the TEP is limited to a maximum of two years of participation.
• Procedure: Applications for these programs are highly competitive and must be coordinated through the Student Financial Aid office by the May 1st deadline for the following year.

This program is designed for employees and their dependents who wish to earn a degree specifically at Berea College.

• The Benefit: Berea waives the traditional “financial need” criterion for admission for benefits-eligible staff and their families. While most Berea students must meet strict income requirements, this benefit allows your dependents to be considered for admission based on academic merit alone.
• The Specifics: Once admitted, the student receives the Tuition Promise Scholarship, meaning they pay $0 in tuition. However, the student is still responsible for housing, food, and fees (unless they qualify for additional aid based on their FAFSA).

Requirement: Dependents must still meet all competitive admissions standards and are required to live on campus, just like any other Berea student.

For those who want to learn for personal enrichment without the pressure of grades, auditing is an excellent perk.

• The Benefit: Full-time staff may audit one course per semester at Berea College. The registration fee is waived, allowing you to attend the class for free.
• The Specifics: Auditing is offered on a space-available basis, and degree-seeking students have priority. You will not receive college credit for the course, and you are responsible for the cost of textbooks and any specific course-related fees (like lab fees).
• Procedures: You must obtain written permission from the course instructor and coordinate with your supervisor to ensure the class time does not interfere with your work schedule.

In partnership with TIAA, Berea offers the Savi platform to help employees manage and reduce their personal student debt.

• The Benefit: Savi is an AI-driven tool that scans over 150 state and federal programs to find the best repayment plan for your specific situation. It is particularly helpful for navigating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which many Berea employees qualify for as non-profit workers.
• The Specifics: The service includes a free “Student Loan Checkup” to estimate savings. If you choose to use their “Concierge Service” (which handles all the annual paperwork and employer certifications for you), there is a small annual fee, but the initial guidance and calculator are free.
• How to Access: Employees can link their student loan accounts directly through the Savi portal (usually found in the Bswifts Benefits enrollment site) to track their progress toward total loan forgiveness.

Because Berea College is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, your employment here may qualify you for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

• The Benefit: After making 120 qualifying payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer, your remaining federal student loan balance can be forgiven tax-free.
• How to Apply: Use the PSLF Help Tool on StudentAid.gov. Human Resources is happy to certify your employment forms – simply send them to use digitally or drop them off at our office.