Dependent Tuition Benefits

Rice University provides eligible dependents a remission of undergraduate tuition at Rice University (and at other universities having reciprocal tuition arrangements with Rice).

Rice employs several strategies to engage, cultivate, and inspire its employees to execute its mission and achieve its goals. The University’s dependent tuition program is one such strategy. The program supports our employees' dependents in their education and allows faculty and staff the added support of supporting the costs for their education.

How does it work?

It provides eligible dependents of benefits-eligible staff and faculty with tuition support for up to eight semesters of undergraduate tuition at Rice. This can also include up to two semesters of an approved study abroad program, tuition at other universities having reciprocal tuition arrangements with Rice, or a portion of Rice's tuition cost applicable at any U.S. accredited college or university.

For more information, please see University Policy 430.

Please review, complete, and submit the Application for Dependent Tuition Benefits form, as required for the school your child attends. See the FAQs below for additional details of this program.

Tuition Remission FAQs

How do I submit the Dependent Tuition Benefit Application, and what documents will I have to provide?

Please complete the Application for Dependent Tuition Benefits form to apply for these benefits. Once completed, the required documentation can be uploaded directly to Box by clicking on the link below:

Submit applications here!

Required documentation may include:

• A completed Application for Dependent Tuition Benefits form (required every semester, trimester, or quarter for institutions outside Rice, Trinity, or Austin College).
• Birth and/or marriage certificates and tax forms may be required depending on the Rice faculty or staff member’s relationship with the child.
• A tuition bill that includes awarded financial aid will be required for tuition benefits at other U.S. institutions (i.e., not Rice, Trinity, or Austin College) so that Rice can pay per the policy.

** Applications submitted via AdobeSign are not being reviewed. Please ensure to submit them though the link above.

Which dependents are eligible to use Tuition Remission?

The following dependents may be eligible for this benefit:

• Spouses and registered (under Rice procedures) domestic partners of Rice employees and Retirees (as defined below), who are seeking their first undergraduate degree and
• Eligible dependent children of a Rice employee or Retiree and
• Eligible dependent children of a deceased Rice employee who was actively employed at Rice until their death and would have qualified for Retiree status under Rice Policy 422 had they chosen to retire before their death.

For More Information, please see University Policy 430.

What other schools can this benefit be applied to?

Trinity University and Austin College in Sherman, TX, are the two schools in Rice's reciprocal program.

Effective July 1, 2024, you may also apply 10% of Rice's tuition (for FY25, this amounts to $6,250/year or $3,125/semester) at any U.S. accredited college or university.

What will the expanded policy cover?

Just as the current policy is written, the expanded policy will cover only tuition costs and will not apply toward other fees, books, housing, or dining expenses for eligible dependents.

Can my dependent use the expanded Tuition Remission Benefits at another college or university, transfer to Rice, Trinity, or Austin College, and receive 100% tuition?

Parents will choose one track at the start of each child’s higher education journey. Each child can have a unique track.

1. the 100% at Rice, Trinity, and Austin College -or-
2. the 10% of Rice’s tuition applied to any accredited U.S. college or university.

If a child selects the 10% of Rice’s tuition option and then transfers to one of the reciprocal institutions (including Rice), they will still receive the percentage of Rice’s tuition benefit.

Do I get to keep 100% of Tuition Remission benefits at Rice, Trinity, and Austin College as a Rice Retiree?

1. Yes, current eligible employees and eligible retirees (as defined in Policy 414) will retain the 100% tuition at Rice, Trinity, and Austin College based on the most recent hire date.
2. However, no university policy is guaranteed to continue as currently written, so all university policies are subject to change.

Are my dependents eligible to receive the expanded tuition benefits?

If you are eligible for the benefits under the updated policy (which will retain the same eligibility requirements as the current policy), your children will be eligible for the expanded tuition benefit.

What am I eligible for if my child is already enrolled in another institution?

Your child will be eligible for the remaining semesters based on their current enrollment. Rice will not pay for tuition beyond the regular eight semesters of undergraduate education allotted to new students eligible for the Dependent Tuition Benefit policy.

For example, if your eligible child is a junior in the Fall of 2025, your child will be eligible for the 10% of Rice’s tuition applied to their current U.S. college or university for their four remaining semesters (and not eight semesters after becoming initially eligible).

What happens if I am not eligible for the policy until my child is a senior?

If your child becomes eligible after enrolling in an eligible institution (including Rice), your child is eligible for the remaining semesters under a four-year degree program.

In this example, if you meet the eligibility requirements and your child starts their senior year, you are eligible for the benefit for the remaining two semesters of study (i.e., the child’s senior year). Rice will not pay for tuition beyond a child’s regular eight semesters, even if the child needs more time to graduate.

How does the benefit pay tuition at other institutions?

Rice will have an application process for the 10% of Rice’s tuition, similar to the current tuition process. However, your tuition bill from the eligible institution must be submitted before each semester. Late submissions will be paid as soon as possible, but Rice will not pay any late fees due to an untimely submission of paperwork to Rice.

Rice will pay the institution directly - we will not issue funds directly to the student or employee.

What happens if the tuition is less than the Rice benefit?

Rice will pay up to the tuition due at that institution for eligible dependents. If the amount is less than the benefit, Rice will pay up to the full cost of your child’s tuition.

What if my child has a scholarship?

Rice will pay any outstanding tuition bill up to the benefit maximum of 10% of Rice’s tuition ($3,125 per semester in 2024-2025). If your child’s tuition due is less than this amount, Rice will only pay up to the amount due to the institution.

Rice will not pay more than what is due, even if a scholarship was awarded to your child and their tuition bill is less than Rice’s benefit.

Will I have to submit my children’s grades for the semester?

Currently, only the Rice, Trinity, & Austin College tuition agreements monitor performance for academic eligibility. While we will not be monitoring academic performance, there is a semester limit in place, so please ensure your child is performing academically before continuing to apply the benefits toward their tuition.

Does the dependent tuition benefit pay for a graduate degree?

No, the benefit only covers the eligible dependent’s first undergraduate degree.

What happens if I leave Rice?

Payment will not be made if the semester has not started. The benefit will continue through the end of the semester when employment or benefits eligibility ceases and will end immediately thereafter.

Will I get a check from Rice if my child’s tuition is less than the Dependent Tuition Benefit?

No. Rice will pay the tuition due up to 10% of Rice’s tuition directly to the school. No funds will be paid directly to any employee.