Education Benefits for Staff: Spouse or Domestic Partner

For Spouse or Domestic Partner

¹ Staff members under Collective Bargaining Agreements are governed according to the terms of the Agreements.

Requirements 

• Staff employee must be regular, full-time.
• For spouses: must be legally married prior to the start of the term.
• For domestic partners: must have a University of Pittsburgh Affidavit of Domestic Partnership approved prior to the start of the term.
• The spouse/domestic partner must be enrolled in a course for academic credit in either a degree or certificate program.
  • Please note: enrollment in courses to fulfill an application prerequisite is not covered by the benefit.

Effective Date of Education Benefits

The benefit is only available after the staff member has completed 12 consecutive full-time status months of employment at the University of Pittsburgh.

Undergraduate-Level Courses

The education benefit covers undergraduate tuition for the allowable number of credits, except for the portion per credit that is the responsibility of the staff member. This portion is stated below.

Domestic Partner undergraduate level education benefits are viewed as taxable income by the IRS. This taxation can affect the amount of the University's contribution that gets applied to the student's bill.

Graduate-Level Courses

The education benefit covers graduate tuition for the allowable number of credits, except for the portion per credit that is the responsibility of the staff member. This portion is stated below.

Graduate level education benefits are viewed as taxable income by the IRS. This taxation can affect the amount of the University's contribution that gets applied to the student's bill.

Taxation of Graduate-Level Benefits at the University

Unlike staff employees, the IRS does not allow employers to provide pre-tax graduate level educational benefits for spouses and domestic partners. Once taxes are applied, the University reduces the upfront benefit received by 29.65% (rate effective as of January 1, 2020).

Required Documentation

Paperwork must be submitted once per academic year.

For Spouse

• Education Benefit Request Form for Spouse/Domestic Partner for the University of Pittsburgh (via DocuSign).
• Copy of your marriage certificate.

For Domestic Partner

• Education Benefit Request Form for Spouse/Domestic Partner for the University of Pittsburgh (via DocuSign).
• Copy of your approved University of Pittsburgh Affidavit of Domestic Partnership (must be accessed by University employee).

The education benefit will only be applied for the terms listed on the Education Benefit Request form for the University of Pittsburgh. If the student will be studying abroad or participating in a co-op program, please notify the Benefits Department to ensure the benefit processes on these tuition charges.

Submission of Required Documentation

To submit your request form and related documentation:

1. Access the Education Benefit Request Form for Spouse/Domestic Partner (via DocuSign).
   1. Note: This form should be submitted only by the benefits-eligible employee at the University of Pittsburgh (not the spouse/domestic partner).
   2. This form and related documentation must be submitted once per academic year.
2. Enter your name and valid Pitt email on the form.
   1. Note: Forms submitted from any non-Pitt email address will be rejected.
3. After selecting "Begin Signing," you will be sent an access code to the email you entered. You must enter the access code you received to complete signing the form.
   1. If you did not receive the access code or are receiving an error, please contact Benefits Customer Support for assistance.
4. Enter all required information on the form, including attaching any related documentation.
   1. For spouses: Attach a copy of the marriage certificate.
   2. For domestic partners: Attach a copy of the University-approved Affidavit of Domestic Partnership.
5. Review your information. Once all information is entered and the form is signed, please select "Complete" from the DocuSign toolbar (at the top of the page).

Form Process

Forms are processed by the Benefits Department within 1-2 business days. Please do not contact the Benefits Department about the status of your form unless it has been more than 3 (three) business days since you have submitted it for processing. After your form is processed, you will receive an email from DocuSign:

• If your form has been "Completed" and you have received an email from DocuSign saying "Completed" in the subject line: The benefit has been approved and will be processed. No further action from you is required.
• If your form has been "Declined" and you have received an email from DocuSign saying "Declined" in the subject line: You will be contacted by OHR to discuss the reason(s) as to why the form has been denied, along with details about what you may need to provide to complete your education benefit submission successfully.

General Provisions and Policies

The education benefit is applied to tuition only and remains on your account irrespective of the grade received. All other charges and fees are the responsibility of the employee. Any error in the distributed amount of the education benefit will result in the recalculation of the benefit. Education benefits are administered by the Benefits Department. Staff education benefits are governed by University Policies ER 06 and ER 05. It is recommended that you review the University Policies for your position type prior to applying for the education benefit.