Educational Assistance Program

OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group offers an Educational Assistance Program for qualified employees pursuing a health related field.

After reading our Education Assistance Policy below, click here to view and print a copy of our Educational Assistance Application.

Educational Assistance Policy

All regular employees working a minimum of sixteen (16) hours per week or thirty-two (32) hours per pay period, who have successfully completed the Initial Introductory Period, are eligible to participate in OSF HealthCare's Educational Assistance Program. The Educational Assistance Program is a benefit provided to assist employees in improving his/her job capabilities. Course work taken must be related to the employee's present job, or one to which an employee could reasonably aspire within OSF HealthCare's structure.

Tuition Reimbursement

This benefit opens broad horizons to the individual who is interested in self-development. These tuition assistance grants provide a wide range of educational opportunities in the following approved courses of study: home-study courses, community offered special training programs and college level work toward a degree, covering graduate work as well. Tuition reimbursement will be maximized at "in-state" rates. If an employee chooses to attend an institution "out-of-state," reimbursement will only occur at "in-state" rates.

OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group Educational Assistance is considered secondary to any and all other educational assistance monies available to the applicant. Individuals applying for tuition reimbursement are required to complete an application for educational assistance at the College/University before they will be considered eligible for OSF St. Francis Educational Assistance.

Tuition reimbursement may be provided for courses which:

  • Directly contribute to the proficiency of an employee in the performance of the duties of his/her assigned position at the time he/she applies for assistance; or
  • Prepare an employee for future additional responsibilities consistent with the logical development of his/her career as associated with the occupation currently held; or
  • Are required for the attainment of a degree or diploma that is consistent with the above principles; and
  • Are offered by an accredited educational institution.

Reimbursement is not provided for social, recreational and avocational courses; or correspondence courses covering subjects that are taught in classes conducted regularly within reasonable commuting distance. Seminars, workshops and other short duration educational programs customarily conducted during regular work hours are not governed by this policy.
OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group will cover the cost of tuition which is not covered by other government, private or educational grants by refunding 100% of tuition fees for full-time employees and 50% of tuition for part-time employees at the completion of the course, providing a "C" or better grade is achieved. All other expenses such as the cost of books, registration fees and laboratory fees must be paid by the employee. The employee must be employed at the time of course completion and submit a transcript and a receipt from the school itemizing tuition payments made by the employee. A maximum of $3,000 per employee per calendar year will be available under this policy.

Before registering for a course, employees interested in work-related education are advised and encouraged to discuss their education interests with their supervisor who is immediately responsible for their performance. Requests for Educational Assistance must be approved by the employee's supervisor and submitted to Human Resources prior to the actual date of enrollment in the course. All requests for a Graduate degree program must be approved by the Administrator prior to the employee's enrollment in the program. All applications whether approved or not, will be forwarded to Human Resources. If the application is not approved, the applicant may appeal the decision by requesting that the Human Resources Manager forward the application to the Compensation Committee for review. The decision of the Compensation Committee will be final.

In addition, an employee's conduct and work performance will be taken into consideration. If an employee is at a Level II, written reprimand, or above in the disciplinary process, he/she will not be eligible for educational assistance.

Tuition reimbursement may be subject to Federal and State Income Tax and FICA withholding.

Service Obligations

For those employees who enter and/or complete an Associates, Bachelors or Graduate Degree Program with substantial reimbursement through this educational program, the following service obligations are required:

Associates Degree: Two (2) calendar years of service after receipt of the degree.

Bachelors Degree: Two (2) or three (3) calendar years of service after receipt of
the degree according to the following credits required to
complete the degree:
25 - 55 credits - Two (2) years of service
56+ credits- Three (3) years of service

Graduate Degree: To be determined individually for each specific case.

This service obligation is agreed upon prior to the entering of such degree programs by the employee. For the purpose of this policy the following definitions apply:

Full-Time: An employee holding a regular position (not temporary) of at least
thirty-six (36) hours per week.

Part-Time: An employee holding a regular position (not temporary) of at least
sixteen (16) hours per week and up to thirty-five (35) hours per week.