Dependent Tuition

The Syracuse University Dependent Tuition Benefit Policy provides educational benefits to Eligible Dependents of Eligible Employees. Those interested in applying for a Dependent Tuition Program must complete and submit a Dependent Tuition Benefit Application to the Office of Human Resources through your MySlice account, according to the application deadlines below. If applying for the Tuition Exchange Program at a participating institution where your dependent has not received the Tuition Exchange scholarship in a prior academic year, you must submit a Tuition Exchange EZ Application directly through the Tuition Exchange website, on or before Nov. 15.

Dependent Tuition Programs

The following is a brief description of each Dependent Tuition Benefit Program available. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Syracuse University Dependent Tuition Policy for complete details.

Syracuse University Tuition Waiver Program

An Eligible Dependent who is matriculated and enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Syracuse University may apply to receive a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver can only be applied to the minimum number of credit hours required for completion of the first baccalaureate degree. The value of the tuition waiver for Academic Year 2025-26 is:

    • Qualified dependents of employees with annual salaries up to $66,928* will receive a full tuition waiver.
    • Qualified dependents of employees with annual salaries between $66,928* and $133,859* will receive a 95 percent tuition waiver.
    • Qualified dependents of employees with salaries of $133,859* or above will receive a 90 percent tuition waiver.

*For eligible courses taken during subsequent academic years, the thresholds will continue to be increased by an amount equal to the University’s annual budgeted salary staff pro-forma. For purposes of determining the level of tuition waiver, the University salary to be used is the eligible employee’s “average base benefit rate” as defined by the University and recorded by the Office of Human Resources. The measurement of an eligible employee’s University salary is determined as of Nov. 1 prior to the academic year of receiving a tuition waiver.

Tuition Exchange Program

An eligible dependent who is matriculated as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing their first baccalaureate degree at an institution that participates with Tuition Exchange, Inc. may apply to receive a Tuition Exchange Scholarship. The program is limited to a maximum of eight semesters and excludes Summer Session courses. Scholarships are not guaranteed as they are awarded by the institutions according to their own criteria. Students denied a Tuition Exchange scholarship may apply to participate in the Cash Grant Program. The availability, value and duration of each scholarship is not guaranteed.

Resources are available to assist in finding a Tuition Exchange school that’s right for you. Visit Tuition Exchange participating schools to conduct a search of participating schools with criteria including:

  • Search schools by state
  • Deadlines for receipt of certification of candidate application by school
  • Percentage of award offers to new candidates meeting admission standards
  • Award packages

Cash Grant Program

Eligible Dependents who are full-time undergraduate students and are matriculated into an Eligible Accredited Post-Secondary Institution of Learning may apply to have up to $1,250 per semester applied toward tuition charges. An Eligible Post-Secondary Institution of Learning is an institution that offers courses of study leading to an associate’s or baccalaureate degree and is accredited in the United States by an agency recognized by the University. Awards are made payable directly to the institution. The program is limited to a maximum of eight semesters. Summer Session courses are not available under the Cash Grant Program.

Application Process

Eligible Employees must complete a Dependent Tuition Benefit Application for each Eligible Dependent through MySlice.  For those applying for the Tuition Exchange scholarship at a participating institution where your dependent did not receive the scholarship, you must also submit an EZ App through the Tuition Exchange website, on or before the Nov. 15 deadline. An EZ App is not needed if your dependent is returning to the same school where they received the scholarship in a prior academic year.

Watch the NEW Dependent Tuition Benefit Application Process
The Dependent Tuition Benefit Application is an eForm.  Our eForms are secure, fast, and accessible.To access the application in your MySlice portal, follow these easy steps:

  1. Log into your MySlice portal.
  2. Under “Employee Home” select the “Employee Resources” tile.
  3. Within the “Employee Resources” tile select the “eForms” tile.
  4. Expand the “Human Resources” section by clicking on the grey triangle on the left side of the page.
  5. Click on the “Dependent Tuition Benefit Application” link to be taken to the application.
  6. Complete the application by answering all the questions and securely uploading any required documentation.
  7. Ensure that you click the “Submit” button at the bottom of the application to send your completed application to HR Shared Services for review.
  8. Communication will be sent to your Syracuse University email regarding your application status.

Please note that retirees of Syracuse University should contact Human Resources Shared Services to assist with the application process.

HR Shared Services administers the Dependent Tuition Benefit application and approval process. If you have any questions or experience any issues with the eForm, please contact Human Resouces Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

First-Time Application:

Syracuse University Tuition Waiver Program

The dependent tuition benefit application should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources no later than Nov. 15 for early decision applicants and Feb. 1 for regular admission applicants. Applicants for the Tuition Waiver Program are required to apply in a timely fashion for a New York State TAP award each year benefits are being used. This requires filing, within federal deadlines, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to automatically generate a pre-printed New York State TAP application. An exemption from the New York State TAP award is available if certain requirements are satisfied. Consult the Syracuse University Dependent Tuition Policy for complete details.

Tuition Exchange Program

The Dependent Tuition Benefit Application should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible in the fall of the student’s senior year in high school, but no later than Nov. 15 — which, in most cases, will be before the student submits the application for admission to the participating Tuition Exchange school(s). For those applying for the Tuition Exchange scholarship at a participating institution where your dependent did not receive the scholarship, you must also submit an EZ App through the Tuition Exchange website, on or before the Nov. 15 deadline.

Cash Grant Program

The Dependent Tuition Benefit Application should be submitted to the Office of Human Resources after the student has been officially accepted for admission, but no later than May 1 for a fall semester grant.

First -Time Application Deadlines:

Employees are responsible for submitting first-time applications by the deadlines noted below:

  • Syracuse University Tuition Waiver – Nov. 15 (early decision); Feb. 1 (regular admission)
  • Tuition Exchange – Nov. 15
  • Cash Grant – May 1

Renewal Application Deadlines:

Employees are responsible for submitting renewal applications by the deadlines noted below:

  • Tuition Exchange – Feb. 1
  • Syracuse University Tuition Waiver – Mar. 1
  • Cash Grant – May 1

Tuition Benefits Available Upon Retirement or Loss of Eligibility

Please consult the Dependent Tuition Benefit Policy for complete details regarding how benefits are impacted as a result of a change in employment status or eligibility.

Should you have any questions, or require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Helpful Links

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information in this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University’s employee benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.