• Employees on a continuing basis for at least half the normal full-time hours,
• Employees on a contractually limited basis for at least half the normal full-time hours for a minimum of one year, or,
• Employees of a bargaining unit when a collective agreement specifically extends the tuition assistance policy to members.
• Retirees are eligible for tuition assistance for McMaster courses only.

• Tuition Bursary is available for the eligible dependents of McMaster University employees.
• All employees who are employed either on a continuing basis or on a contractually limited basis and who work at least one-half the normal full-time hours and,
• Have completed at least three years of continuous service to the University by the first day of the academic session for which the bursary is awarded, or
• Employees of a bargaining unit when a collective agreement specifically extends the tuition bursary to members, and
• Dependents of retired or deceased employees who met one of the above eligibility criteria at the time of retirement or death.

The Tuition Assistance benefit is available to eligible employees for a maximum of $3,970.26 based on the academic year beginning September 1, 2018 ending August 31, 2019. If you work less than half time your benefit amount will be pro-rated based on the hours worked.

The Tuition Bursary benefit is available to dependents of eligible employees for a maximum of $5,100.00 based on 30 units or more for the academic year beginning September 2018 and ending in April 2019. Students enrolling in the spring/summer session can also receive a benefit of $170 per unit in addition to the $5,100.00 maximum.

In the case of full-time graduate students, the bursary will be $2,550.00 per term for a maximum of $7,650 for 3 terms in the 2018/19 academic session.

Eligible applicants will receive tuition assistance until the maximum benefit level is reached.

Beginning September 1, 2019 ending August 31, 2020:

• The Tuition Assistance benefit maximum is $3,573.18.
• The Tuition Bursary benefit maximum is of $4,650.00 for Fall/Winter. Spring/Summer session is $155.00 per unit (minimum of 6 units).
• Full-time Graduate students, the bursary is $2,325.00 per term.

The tuition bursary program provides the dependents of eligible employees with a financial benefit to be applied towards their tuition fees.

As per the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), the tuition bursary is not a taxable benefit to employees, and should be treated as income to the family member receiving the benefit. The Tuition Bursary benefit will not be included in the employee’s reported income or on the employee’s T4 slip. The benefit will be included on a T4A slip issued to the student.

If you have questions about the tax application of the Tuition Bursary benefit, please contact the Human Resources Service Centre at extension 22247.