Johns Hopkins University leadership is introducing a major expansion of education-related benefits for employees to better support individuals in fulfilling their educational ambitions, whether they choose to pursue degrees to advance their career paths or to enhance their personal growth.
"We have heard from you that a better, more expansive education benefit would allow more of you to pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees while working at Johns Hopkins," President Ron Daniels and Vice President for Human Resources Pierre Joanis wrote in an email message sent to faculty and staff on June 30. "We hope these expanded offerings will support you in your educational journey, and we are excited to help put the power of higher education within reach for you and your families."
The following changes to JHU's tuition assistance program for current employees will be available for the fall semester:
Annual tuition assistance amounts will increase from $2,000 to $5,250 for those seeking undergraduate (associate and bachelor's) degrees.
Annual benefits will increase from $5,250 to $10,000 for graduate courses.
Employees may now use the undergraduate and graduate tuition assistance at any accredited institution, even if the program is offered at JHU.
Beginning in spring 2023, for those employees seeking undergraduate degrees, JHU will help minimize upfront, out-of-pocket costs by making payments directly to the institutions where they have enrolled. The university will also pay in advance for graduate coursework at JHU; employees taking graduate courses at other institutions will need to seek reimbursement.
In developing a more meaningful tuition assistance plan, university leaders relied on conversations and listening sessions with staff and equity-seeking groups.
"I am excited for my staff and for all the JHU employees who have this opportunity to expand their academic and professional careers," said Calvin L. Smith Jr., president of the Black Faculty and Staff Association as well as senior director of Leadership Engagement & Experiential Development. He said that the enhanced payments and the fact that they can be used for classes in locations other than Johns Hopkins are "a huge advantage" that will enable more people to use the benefit. "The world is opening up for them," he said.
Tuition expansion is one of several planned initiatives for employees discussed in the Second Roadmap on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, along with pay equity study and career architecture development. These steps will be focused on meeting the university's goal of ensuring that every employee with desire and ability sees a pathway to personal and professional advancement.
An FAQ on the HR website provides details about the enhanced tuition remission program and will be updated periodically. Employees can contact the JHU Office of Benefits & Worklife directly with questions at 410-516-2000 or benefits@jhu.edu.
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