Professional Development Assistance Program

Certain accredited colleges and universities assign tuition waivers to the Diocese for our teachers in exchange for mentoring their students who are studying to become teachers.  To request a tuition waiver, please complete the request form here.  The form must be completed for any request for a tuition waiver or reimbursement.  The teacher will need a denial of tuition waiver form to request reimbursement (if coursework is not paid for in full or paid partially through a tuition waiver).  

Participation on the part of the teacher is voluntary.  The graduate coursework must be in accordance with the teacher's written Individual Professional Development Plan (courses in content area and/or education) and be approved in advance in writing by the school Principal.  Waivers are awarded based on a hierarchy established in the COACE Agreement.  This information is outlined in Article 13 - Professional Development Assistance Program.  

By participating in the reimbursement program, a teacher confirms his or her intent to continue his or her employment at the school for at least one (1) school year for each quarter/semester in which he or she is reimbursed, with a maximum commitment not to exceed 5 school years.  If a teacher leaves school employment during this committed period, he or she will repay the school for the amount provided as a reimbursement.  If necessary, the school may deduct, to the extent permitted by law, the sum owed from paycheck(s) if the teacher remains employed elsewhere in the Diocese.  If the teacher is no longer employed by the Diocese, he or she will make arrangements to repay the tuition reimbursement provided within six (6) months of leaving the school.  The school reserves the right to pursue legal action to recover these funds.   

 The deadlines to apply for tuition waivers are as follows, unless otherwise specified: 
 
 For Autumn Term - 1st Monday in August
 For Spring Term - 1st Monday in December
 For Summer Term - 1st Monday in April
 
If you have additional questions regarding this program, please contact Carrie Ramsay, Associate Director for Personnel and Licensure at:  [email protected].