Financial Aid

Employer Educational Assistance

At Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), employer-provided educational assistance can be an important source of funding for your education.

Many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs to support employee development and continuing education. These programs can reduce your out-of-pocket costs and reliance on student loans.

Understanding Employer Educational Assistance

Employer educational assistance programs provide financial support for employees pursuing undergraduate or graduate-level coursework.

Under Section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code, employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational assistance.

Depending on your employer, benefits may include:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Direct tuition payments
• Support for books or course materials
• Professional development funding

Programs vary widely by employer in structure, eligibility, and payment timing.

Start with Your Employer

Before applying for other funding sources, we recommend confirming whether your employer offers educational assistance.

What to do first:

• Contact your HR or benefits office
• Review eligibility requirements
• Understand program limits and conditions

Common requirements may include:

• Minimum length of employment
• Program relevance to your role
• Continued employment during or after the program
• Grade or performance requirements

How Employer Educational Assistance Works

Employer benefits are typically structured in one of two ways:

Tuition Reimbursement

• You pay tuition upfront
• Employer reimburses you after course completion
• Reimbursement may depend on grades or completion

Direct Payment

• Employer pays all or a portion of tuition directly to SCU
• May require pre-approval before enrollment

Some employers may offer a combination of both.

How to Evaluate Employer Benefits

When considering employer assistance, focus on:

Questions to Ask Your Employer

Program Details

• How much funding is available annually?
• What expenses are covered (tuition, fees, books)?
• Is the benefit taxable beyond a certain amount?

Eligibility and Approval

• Do I need pre-approval before enrolling?
• Does my program need to relate to my current role?
• Are there employment duration requirements?

Payment and Timing

• Is funding provided upfront or reimbursed later?
• When will payments be issued?
• What documentation is required for reimbursement?

Commitments

• Is there a required work commitment after completion?
• What happens if I leave the company early?

Application and Funding Process

Employer educational assistance requires coordination between you, your employer, and SCU:

1. Confirm Eligibility with Your Employer

• Review your employer’s policy
• Obtain approval (if required) before enrolling

2. Apply and Enroll at SCU

• Complete your admissions, financial aid, and registration process
• Confirm your course schedule aligns with employer requirements

3. Submit Required Employer Documentation

• Provide invoices, enrollment verification, or grade reports as required
• Follow your employer’s submission process

4. Payment or Reimbursement

• Employer sends payment directly to SCU or
• Reimburses you after course completion

5. Coordinate with Financial Aid

• Work with SCU to ensure employer funding is reflected in your financial plan
• Adjust borrowing as needed

Employer Educational Assistance Through Clasp

Some healthcare and professional employers now offer student loan repayment assistance through Clasp as part of an employment agreement. Clasp connects students and graduates with participating employers that may provide job opportunities before graduation and help repay a portion of eligible student loans while you work in your field. Depending on the employer and position, repayment support may be offered over multiple years as part of a long-term employment commitment. In many cases, students can begin exploring these opportunities while still enrolled, helping support career placement and financial planning before graduation.

This type of employer-sponsored benefit may help reduce long-term education costs while providing a clearer pathway into professional employment after graduation. Program availability, eligibility requirements, employment commitments, and repayment amounts vary by employer and role. Learn more about employer-sponsored loan repayment opportunities through Clasp Employer Education Benefits.

Timing Matters

Employer benefits often require advance planning.

Plan ahead.

• Confirm eligibility before your term begins
• Understand approval timelines
• Submit documentation promptly

Delays in approval or documentation may impact your ability to use funds for a given term.

Important Considerations

Employer educational assistance differs from other funding sources:

• May require upfront payment (reimbursement model)
• Subject to employer policies and approval
• May include employment commitments
• Annual limits may not cover the full cost of attendance
• Tax-free benefits are capped under federal law

Relationship to Other Financial Aid

Employer educational assistance is often used alongside:

• Federal student loans
• Private student loans
• Scholarships
• Veterans education benefits

Using employer funding can reduce your reliance on loans and lower your total borrowing.

How SCU Supports You

SCU’s Office of Financial Aid can help you:

• Integrate employer benefits into your funding plan
• Adjust borrowing based on expected reimbursement
• Provide required documentation (enrollment verification, billing, etc.)
• Coordinate timing of payments and financial aid

We encourage you to explore employer assistance early in your planning process.