Lehigh University provides a tuition cash grant to another regionally accredited post-secondary degree granting institution for each eligible unmarried dependent child of full time benefits eligible faculty and exempt staff members and their domestic partners.
The benefit is available to salaried faculty and exempt staff members who are regularly scheduled to work at least 75 percent of a full-time schedule after they meet the waiting period requirements.
For faculty and exempt staff members employed in eligible positions after September 1, 1986:
- There is a five year waiting period for the grant. The waiting period is waived for faculty members at the rank of Associate or Full Professor and exempt staff members at salary grade 11 and above.
- The maximum academic year grant is $5,000 per child per year.
- The total grant available to the child is $20,000.
- The grant may be applied to tuition and to “fees” that are required of all students in all programs of the receiving institution.
For faculty and exempt staff members employed in eligible positions on or before September 1, 1986:
- The maximum academic year grant is equal to 50 percent of Lehigh’s full-time undergraduate tuition.
- The total grant available is equivalent to 50 percent of Lehigh’s full-time tuition during the first four years of participation in the benefit program.
- The grant may be applied to tuition and to “fees” that are required of all students in all programs of the receiving institution. It may also be applied to room and board charges (for a double occupancy room).
For purposes of the tuition cash grant program, the term “dependent child” applies to unmarried:
- Natural sons and daughters
- Adopted sons and daughters
- Stepsons and stepdaughters
of the faculty or exempt staff member who are his or her “dependents” as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.
The term “dependent child of a domestic partner” applies to unmarried:
- Natural sons and daughters
- Adopted sons and daughters
of the faculty or exempt staff member’s domestic partner who are his or her “dependents” as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.
In all cases, the child must be a full time student pursuing an undergraduate degree at a regionally-accredited, degree granting, post-secondary institution. The child must have matriculated before age 30.
Tuition Cash Grant Benefits are taxable to the employee if:
- The faculty and exempt staff member is considered “highly compensated” under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines,
- The unmarried dependent child is age 24 or over and earning more than the IRS individual exemption amount for the calendar year in which the grant is paid,
- The benefits are provided for the unmarried dependent child of a domestic partner, and/or
- Any of the benefits are applied to the cost of room and board.
For more information about the Tuition Cash Grant Program, see:
This web page provides summary information in effect on the date it was prepared.
More detailed information on tuition benefits is available in the faculty and staff guides.
For policy questions or assistance with a specific situation, please contact Human Resources.