Don't Let Your Tuition Benefits Go To Waste

Advisor Education 

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When you accept a job your main focus might be determining whether that job pays an annual salary or an hourly wage and whether it offers healthcare. But among the benefits you might be afforded is tuition reimbursement.
How do tuition benefits work? It's simple. Companies that offer tuition reimbursement and/or training dollars can:

1. Pay up front for your college, post-graduate, or continuing education  (i.e. training for certifications applicable to your career) OR
2. Refund you a portion or all of your tuition once you take a class or complete a certification. 

How much can I get with tuition benefits from my employer?The federal government allows employees to use up to $5,250 in tuition benefits every year. This is tax free, so it doesn’t get reported as part of your regular income. 
The Fine Print

• It is important to note that some companies might allow tuition benefits only for the classes or tests themselves (for college courses or certifications, respectively) while others might extend the financial aid to textbooks, internet, school supplies, etc…
  
• Some companies will only reimburse for educational classes through specific institutions, like schools with eligible programs or schools in the geographic area. 
  
• Certain companies will only cover tuition for approved classes or approved training.
  

Why employers use tuition benefitsThat tax-free status gets applied to companies as well; Your employer can cover the cost of tuition reimbursement or training up to $5,250 per year, per employee and write it off as a tax deduction. It also improves employee skills, regularly, improvement that translates directly to the company.
Use it or Lose itThese tuition reimbursement and training dollars are available to you for every year that you work with a company but if you don't use it, you miss out on what is effectively free money to better your education and improve yourself within the confines of your career. 
Make sure you get approval from your manager or speak with your HR department before you sign up for classes!