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## Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 ### Standard Operating Guideline SFD.072 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 2 Feb. 2024 Effective Date 2 Feb. 2024 Review Date 1 Feb. 2025 Approved by: Scott C. Seifert ### ADMIN #### Tuition Reimbursement - Members will be limited to 9 hours per st...

## Spring Fire Department / Harris County ESD No. 7 ### Standard Operating Guideline SFD.072 Revision No. 01 Issue Date 2 Feb. 2024 Effective Date 2 Feb. 2024 Review Date 1 Feb. 2025 Approved by: Scott C. Seifert ### ADMIN #### Tuition Reimbursement - Members will be limited to 9 hours per standard semester session (spring semester & fall semester) and 3 hours per special semester session (summer 1 session, summer 2 session, etc.). Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Chief of Training. - Members will not be compensated for the time associated with the completion of the course work within the degree program. #### Reimbursement - The department will reimburse up to $425.00 per instructional hour. This reimbursement can be used toward the cost of tuition, books, and other fees directly associated with the course within the degree plan. Tuition reimbursement is budget dependent and can be changed at any time, therefore, applications are limited to twenty members per year. - Members will be limited to $3,825.00 per semester not to exceed $10,200.00 annually. Exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Chief of Training. Any reimbursement amount that exceeds the IRS allowable limit will be subject to taxes as earned wages. Members are responsible for taxes above the IRS allowable limit. - Reimbursement will not be used for late fees, travel expenses, out-of-district (state) fees, parking fees, financial fees, or any other fee not directly associated with the course within the degree plan. - Reimbursement will not be used for the cost of tuition and fees for any individual who is receiving, or is eligible to receive, assistance from other sources such as outside scholarships, grants, and other subsidy programs (e.g., G.I. Bill). This will include members receiving tuition exemption from the Texas Administrative Code (Title 19, Part 1, Chapter 21, Subchapter Z) for Exemption for Firefighters Enrolled in Fire Service Courses. - A Tuition Reimbursement Application with a cost estimate must be submitted to the Deputy Chief of Training for approval. The Deputy Chief of Training will assess the members disciplinary and performance standing, cost, course and/or degrees, considering the members current and future assignments and potential impact on the members work responsibilities. The request requires the concurrence of the Department Head and Human Resources Department. - Members who have received one formal disciplinary action within six months prior to application will be ineligible for a period of six months after the date of the disciplinary action. Members who have received more than one formal disciplinary action within six months prior to application will be ineligible for a period of twelve months after the date of the most recent disciplinary action. Members who receive one formal disciplinary action while in the program will be removed from the program for six months after the date of disciplinary action. Members who receive more than one formal disciplinary action while in the program will be removed from the program for six months after the date of disciplinary action.