Dependent Tuition Grant

Eligible employees can receive tuition support for dependent children to attend an accredited college, university, or training program (such as vocational or culinary schools). The dependent must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program leading to an academic degree or an accredited program of training in a recognized occupation. The annual Tuition Grant amount available is up to one-half of that year’s Williams’ tuition and can only be used towards tuition costs and related fees. 

The maximum Tuition Grant amount for 2023-2024 is $32,270.

Eligibility

  • The employee must be in a benefit-eligible faculty or staff position and must have completed five years of benefits-eligible service at Williams.
  • New faculty and staff will be credited with years of service for the period that they were eligible for a tuition payment program from their immediately previous higher education employer. The employee will obtain verification from the prior employer by requesting the completion of a Service Credit Form, which will be reviewed by Human Resources.
  • If the service requirement is satisfied after the dependent has started a semester, the grant funds will be available at the start of the next semester following eligibility.
  • The benefit covers children of retired, deceased, or disabled employees, subject to the five-year service requirement. If the spouse of a deceased employee remarries, the eligibility for the benefit will be reviewed.
  • If more than one parent is employed at Williams, only one parent will be eligible for the benefit.
  • Part-time and visiting faculty members should refer to the Faculty Handbook for eligibility.

Conditions

  • No more than four (4) dependents per eligible employee may use this benefit. 
  • The benefit is payable for a maximum of four years per dependent child.
  • In order for the child to be considered a dependent of the eligible employee, the child must meet the “qualifying child” criteria established by the IRS. The tests to determine dependency are explained in the IRS’ instructions for completing Form 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. The College reserves the right to request documentation of a child’s dependency at any time.
  • The grant funds can only be applied to tuition costs plus related fees for any accredited undergraduate program leading to an academic degree or for attendance at an accredited program of training in a recognized occupation.
  • It does not include any other fees, including, but not limited to, health service fees, student activity fees, miscellaneous fees, room, board, books, or supplies.
  • An itemized bill will be required for each semester, which must include the dependent’s name and ID (for both U.S. and international schools).

Processing of Tuition Grant Payment

  • Tuition Grant checks are processed and mailed directly to each college or training program starting in August for the Fall semester and starting in December for the Spring semester. If an institution operates on a trimester schedule, the third payment is sent in March. The Bursar will be notified of dependents attending Williams, and the appropriate accounts will be credited.  
  • The employee is required to contact the Benefits Specialist, Megan Childers, if they resign from employment at the College after the Tuition Grant payment has been made.
  • The employee is required to contact the Benefits Specialist, Megan Childers, if their eligible dependent decides to withdraw during that semester, for the academic year, or from the institution completely. Williams will either void the undeposited check or the institution must send a full refund directly to Human Resources for processing.  In the event that the school does not issue a full refund, the employee is responsible for the balance of payments issued but not refunded. 

General Information 

  • The Tuition Grant is not considered taxable income for federal or state purposes. However, if there is a change in the tax laws, or a need to restructure the college’s benefits package for any reason, the nature and applicability of this benefit will be reviewed and, upon approval of the Board of Trustees, may be changed. The College cannot guarantee the after-tax value of the Tuition Grant. 
  • Families may apply for financial aid directly to the college or university attended or from any other source. The Williams tuition grant may be considered in the calculation of the financial aid award by the institution attended. Financial aid methodologies will vary by institution.
  • Please Note: This policy remains subject to change, modification, amendment, or termination at the sole discretion of the college.

How to Apply for Tuition Grant

  • Human Resources will publish Daily Messages to remind employees of the Tuition Grant program. 
  • Employees should complete the Tuition Grant Request Form as soon as the dependent identifies which school they will be attending and has an itemized bill*, which includes the dependent’s name and school ID. We require the request form and itemized bill for every semester attended. (*Dependents attending Williams do not need to provide an itemized bill.)

If you have additional questions about this benefit, please email Megan Childers, Benefits Specialist.