Tuition Reimbursement

The purpose of the PWCS Tuition Reimbursement Program is to encourage professional growth and development, to meet certification and license renewal requirements, and to increase instructional or professional knowledge and skills sets. This program is available on a first-come-first-served basis, contingent on the availability of budgeted funds.

We are currently accepting requests for courses with end dates for the fiscal year of July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022.

This process has two steps:

• Submission at the beginning of your class for approval of your request
• Followed by submission of your grade at the end of your course for payment

You must submit requests as soon after registration as possible; we will not accept forms for classes that have already ended.

Beginning July 1, 2021, all tuition reimbursement requests must be submitted through our new electronic forms process using the PWCS Records system. This new system was created to enhance the collection and processing of tuition reimbursement information to make this a more efficient process.

Log into Records and follow the instructions below:

1. Click on “Available Forms” ‘in the left navigation area.
2. Select the correct Tuition Reimbursement form based on your position/license type. See chart below to see which is the correct form based on your position or license type.
3. Follow instructions on the form including attaching your proof of payment.
4. Upon approval, you will be assigned a grade submission form through Records to complete within 45 days of completion of your course. This will be in your assigned tasks in Records.
5. Upon receipt of your grade, your payment will be processed in the next available payroll cycle.

You must be a current PWCS employee at the time you attend your classes or take exams to be eligible for reimbursement. Any courses or tests taken before employment with PWCS are not reimbursable.

PRAXIS/VCLA/RVA Tests

*Core courses: English Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Foreign Language, Civics, Government, Economics, Arts, Music, History and Geography
** Non-core courses include, but are not limited to: Physical Education, Health, Counseling, Technical Education, Family & Consumer Science, Special Education and Driver’s Education

All courses for teacher Teacher Tuition Reimbursement must be taken at an accredited college or university and must be courses taken for college/university undergraduate or graduate credits, per our regulation. Courses taken for Continuing Education Credits (C.E.U.s) are not eligible for reimbursement for the Teacher Tuition Reimbursement program.

Fully licensed classroom instructional personnel, provisionally licensed teachers of non-core subject areas, and classified employees actively seeking a teaching degree are eligible for reimbursement under the PWCS Teacher Tuition Reimbursement Program.

Provisionally licensed teachers in core subject areas fall under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Grant Reimbursement Program. Core courses include English, Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, Foreign Language, Civics, Government, Economics, Arts, Music, History, Geography and regular elementary education classroom teachers.

Testing reimbursement is available for VCLA, RVE or Praxis II tests required for teacher certification requirements up to a lifetime maximum of $150. Reimbursement for other types of testing may be available through the Continuing Education Class reimbursement, based on approval from your supervisor, subject to budget availability, up to the fiscal year max per person.

Any non-exempt PWCS employee seeking certification or professional development related to their job responsibility would be eligible for reimbursement through the Continuing Education Class Reimbursement, upon approval by their immediate supervisor.

Additional information is available by contacting Jill Argueta at [email protected] or 703-791-8927.

Tuition Reimbursement Procedure

1. Register for your course.
2. Submit correct electronic tuition reimbursement request form for your reimbursement type from the Available Forms on the PWCS Record Site with proof of payment and course description as soon after registration as possible. (See instructions above).
   
   We will not accept requests if your course is already completed, per regulation.
3. Upon approval, funds will be held for you up to the maximum you qualify for, dependent on the program for your request (see chart above). You will receive notification of approval or denial.
4. You will be assigned an electronic grade submission form through Records. Upon completion of your course, submit a grade report or unofficial transcript within 45 days of completion of your course for payment.
5. Payment will be processed in the next available payroll cycle as part of your normal paycheck.

Information Links/Forms

• Forms on PWCS Records site - Requires PWCS Login ID and password - Select correct request form from Available Forms
• Certification webpage

Any transcripts or test score reports that are relevant to your certification must also be sent separately to the certification department.

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