Pima JTED Central Employee Tuition Reimbursement

It is the policy of the Pima Joint Technical Education District (JTED) that all JTED employees are encouraged to continue to grow professionally. The JTED supports the professional development of employees by providing opportunities to enroll in undergraduate and graduate level courses. The extent of the JTED’s fiscal support of this professional development is contingent upon available resources which may vary from year to year.

Courses:

Courses taken should improve an employee’s ability to perform his/her job. Employees taking courses must do so outside of their work time or arrange an adjusted work schedule through the District Superintendent.

3 Categories – Which one is for you?

  1. Certification Requirement: Courses required to remove deficiencies from teaching certificate.
    • United States Constitution and/or Arizona Constitution
    • Option B teachers may have a deficiency of up to 9 semester hours of “Subject Matter Courses in the CTE Field of Study” (Example: A math teacher who wants to teach Engineering needs to have 9 semester hours of coursework in engineering)
  2. EdRefresh:
    • For Instructional Staff – both full and part time: Courses that allow you to update and refresh industry knowledge and skills. Teachers may be approved to take course(s) if the course provides the knowledge or skills needed to deliver the technical standards associated with their CTE Program. We want teachers to stay current with newest practices and technologies in their industry. A Tuition Reimbursement Coursework Plan must be completed with your supervisor in advance.
    • For Operational Support & Instructional Support Staff that are benefits eligible: Courses that allow you to learn skills that will enhance your ability to do your job using the newest information and technologies. A Tuition Reimbursement Coursework Plan must be completed with your supervisor in advance.
  3. Degree Seeking:
    • For Pima JTED Employees that are benefits eligible and pursuing a college/university degree. A Tuition Reimbursement Coursework Plan must be completed with your supervisor in advance.
    • Note: You will need to agree to the following statement –
      • Upon entering into this agreement: I agree to continue employment with the district at least two years after the date of receipt of funds or the reimbursement may need to be paid back to the district.

Tuition Reimbursement:

Participant honesty in disclosure of all financial assistance, regardless of source, is required. Failure to disclose grants, scholarships, and any other type of financial assistance may disqualify the participant from the tuition reimbursement program. To be eligible for the tuition reimbursement program the participant must be in a permanent full-time benefited position.

Pima JTED will reimburse 100% of Community College tuition upon receipt of unofficial transcript. Pima JTED will reimburse 60% of University tuition upon receipt of unofficial transcript. The employee may attend the institution of his/her choice but the maximum amount of reimbursement will not exceed the in-state undergraduate and graduate tuition rate of the University of Arizona, respectively or the in-state rate of the Arizona based Community College.

Credit courses must be offered by a regionally accredited institution. A grade of “C” or better on an undergraduate coursework, or a grade of “B” or better on graduate coursework, must be earned in order to receive reimbursement. If grading is done on a Pass/Fail basis, reimbursement shall be allowed when a participant earns a “Pass” for the course grade.

Steps in the Tuition Reimbursement Process:

Prior to enrollment, employees will request reimbursement for tuition and fees by submitting (1) A Pima JTED Application for Tuition Reimbursement Form located on PDHub, including all financial assistance being received in connection with educational expenses, and (2) A corresponding Professional Growth Plan (exhibit A)

  1. Employee completes the Tuition Reimbursement Initial Application. Application must be submitted thirty (30) days or more prior to the start of coursework.
  2. Pima JTED will process the application with the office of the Superintendent.
  3. Employee will receive notification of approval or denial.
  4. Approved applicants will register for and complete coursework – paying for the course from their own funds.
  5. Upon course completion, the employee submits a “Tuition Reimbursement Post-Course Request” on PDHub:
    • Unofficial transcript showing completion and an acceptable grade.
    • A receipt for tuition/fee payment clearly indicating the course and date. The course prefix and number on the receipt and report must match those on the original request.
    • Transcript and receipt for tuition payment are due to the JTED within 20 days of course completion.
    • Any student receiving a grade of “incomplete” will need to re-submit an application for the semester in which the course is to be completed. This application will be processed as a new application.
    • Tuition reimbursement requests will be processed in the order in which the requests were received. Processing takes up to 4 weeks.

Process:

  • Submit a Pre-Approval application at least thirty (30) days or more before the start of the coursework and no later than May 31, 2025, to Pima JTED at Pre-Approval Application.
Pre-Approval Application Here
  • Teachers will be notified of their approval within a week.
  • Approved applicants will register for and complete coursework – paying for the course from their own funds.
  • Upon course completion, the employee submits a “Request for Tuition Reimbursement” form on PDHub:
    • Unofficial transcript showing completion and an acceptable grade.
    • A receipt for tuition/fee payment clearly indicating the course and date. The course prefix and number on the receipt and report must match those on the original request.
    • Grades and proof of tuition payment are due to the JTED within 20 days of course completion.
    • Any student receiving a grade of “incomplete” will need to re-submit an application for the semester in which the course is to be completed. This application will be processed as a new application.
  • Tuition reimbursement requests will be processed in the order in which the requests were received. 
  • Processing takes up to 4 weeks.