The educational benefits that Yale staff and faculty can take advantage of are part of the university’s commitment to improving the world through outstanding education.
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As a staff member at the university, you may be aware of the learning opportunities and ways to help fund education for you and your family. But what may surprise you is just how many opportunities there are.
Auditing Yale College Courses
Do you long to sit in a college classroom again, soaking up knowledge about your favorite topic, be it poetry, economics, or physics? Would you be even more interested if there were no quizzes, tests, or papers? Welcome to the Affiliate Auditing Program, free of charge with the instructor’s permission, and in the case of staff members, with their supervisor’s okay as well.
Korean-born Soyeon Choi, head paper conservator at the Yale Center for British Art, wanted to learn to write more fluently and accurately in English, to fall in love with the language as she had with her native Korean. She audited Kim Shirkhani’s Yale writing course, renowned among undergraduates, and had nothing but gratitude for the opportunity. “This was just the best thing that I experienced,” said Choi. “I learned how important and beautiful it is to choose the right word when you write and the professors, tutors, and work colleagues were very supportive.”
College Savings Plan (529)
CHET (the Connecticut Higher Education Trust) 529 College Savings Plan helps Yale employees save for the cost of a college education through payroll direct deposit to Fidelity Investments. The program offers a choice of flexible investment options and tax advantages, and you can use the account savings at any eligible institution, both in the United States and abroad.
Opening an account is easy. You can complete the application online or download it from the CHET website, and you can manage your direct deposit CHET elections from your paycheck in Workday.
Child Scholarship Plan for Faculty and Staff
Yale staff with children who are close to college bound or in college will often sing the praises of the Yale Child Scholarship Plan for eligible staff and faculty, which covers up to 50% of college tuition and eligible fees, with a maximum of $13,980 per term (for the 2025/2026 academic year). Students must be under 25 and enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year or two-year college in pursuit of either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
“The Child Scholarship is an incredibly generous benefit,” says Dana Lipnickas, IT project manager. “It has made it easier for our daughter’s college journey by providing the funds for her to continue her education as a rising sophomore at Quinnipiac University. The process is fast and easy to complete and makes me feel incredibly valued as a staff member!”
Tuition Reimbursement (for Non-Yale Courses and Programs)
If you decide to go back to school while working at Yale, either enrolling in a degree program or registering for a non-degree/job-related course, there is help waiting in the wings. Yale’s Tuition Reimbursement Program, administered by Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions, is available for Clerical & Technical (C&T), Service & Maintenance (S&M), Yale Police Benevolent Association (YPBA), and Managerial & Professional (M&P) staff members.
Full-time employees are reimbursed 100% of their course tuition and laboratory fees up to, and not exceeding, the calendar year maximum of $5,250. Part-time employees who have completed six months of continuous employment prior to the start of the degree program or job-related course(s) will receive a pro-rated benefit equal to the employee’s regular work hours divided by 37.5.
University of New Haven Tuition Discount Program
Partnering with Yale, the University of New Haven offers Yale employees a 20% tuition discount. This applies to courses in the Tagliatela College of Engineering, College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, and Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. You can also submit these courses to Yale’s Tuition Reimbursement Program.
Tuition Reduction for Classes at Yale
Another program that is available to Yale employees’ who want to pursue educational opportunities is a tuition reduction upon acceptance into one of four Yale participating schools: Yale College, Yale College Summer Programs, the Eli Whitney Students Program, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Since each school has different eligibility criteria, it is best to contact the Admissions Office of each school directly.
Local 35 Training Funds
The university and the union support the growth and advancement of their employees by making sure that those who complete job-related courses or training programs are reimbursed for 50% of the tuition costs. To qualify, participants must be regular full-time Local 35 employees or part-time Local 35 employees who are scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week and who have completed six months of service. Participants must be employed at the start and completion of the courses; and must have supervisor and department head approval. The training must also be completed on the staff member’s own time.
Student Loan Debt Management Program
This program is available to Yale staff and faculty because Yale is a public-service employer, and it has partnered with TIAA and Savi to offer the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For a $70 annual fee, Savi provides:
- Assistance with annual recertification for loan forgiveness
- Support throughout the process, including payment tracking
- Help completing paperwork and digital filing
- Potential reduction of monthly payments based on income and family size
To learn more, review the quick start guide or register to attend one of the bi-monthly webinars about the program.
