Dependent Cash Award

Application Form

The Cash Award benefit is for legally dependent children of eligible employees. The child must be under the age of 25 and be pursuing their first undergraduate four-year degree at an accredited institution other than Ithaca College.  The maximum Cash Award benefit is $500 per semester, up to a total of $4,000 per dependent child.  If both parents are benefits-eligible Ithaca College employees, the maximum benefit is $1,000 per semester, up to a total benefit of $8,000 per child. In order for an employee to be eligible for this benefit, they must complete one year of benefits-eligible service prior to the semester during which their dependent wishes to enroll. 

Governing Guidelines and Restrictions

  • An employee's maximum Cash Award benefit is $500 per semester for full-time enrollment, up to a total of $4,000 per child.
  • If both parents are eligible employees, the maximum benefit is $1,000 per semester for full-time enrollment, up to a total benefit of $8,000 per child.
  • The Cash Award benefit will be pro-rated to $33.33 per credit hour for part-time enrollment, not to exceed the maximum benefit per child.
  • The total Cash Award benefit cannot exceed the actual tuition charges incurred.
  • The Cash Award benefit is paid directly to the institution and applicable toward tuition only.
  • A copy of the applicable semester’s invoice or billing statement is required for each semester the dependent wishes to enroll.
  • The Cash Award Benefit is only available during the Fall, Spring and Summer.  Winter enrollment is not eligible for Cash Award benefits.

Administration of Benefits

  • Tuition Remission benefits are granted only for the number of credit hours necessary to meet given degree requirements (usually 120 credit hours). Each eligible person receives a bank of 120 credit hours.
  • If a dependent is enrolled in a program which requires more than 120 credits, please contact the Office of Human Resources.
  • Full-time students eligible for Cash Award benefits may enroll for 12 - 18 credit hours and will use 15 credit hours of the benefit. If they enroll for more than 18 credit hours, the benefit is calculated as 15 credit hours plus the number of credit hours over 18.
  • For part-time enrollment (i.e. those taking fewer than 12 credits), the Cash Award benefit is reduced by the actual number of credit hours taken.
  • Students who transfer to another institution after receiving Tuition Remission benefits at Ithaca College will have their Cash Award benefit adjusted. Each credit hour of Ithaca College Tuition Remission will reduce the lifetime maximum Cash Award benefit by $33.33
  • The Cash Award benefit will be pro-rated for part-time study at another institution, not to exceed the maximum benefit.
  • Part-time credit hours decrease the number of semesters that can be taken at no charge, but they do not necessarily make it impossible to take the required number of credits.  Additionally, taking over 18 credit hours in one semester uses up extra credits.
  • If an employee's legal dependent is entitled to tuition assistance benefits through another employer, those benefits must be applied first