Tuition Exemption

As part of Louisiana State University’s expansive employee benefit package, the university is proud to offer opportunities for its university employees to grow, learn and advance career paths through educational benefits. The Tuition Exemption Program is one of the most valuable benefits offered to LSU employees. 

Traditional Tuition Exemption

Full-time (100% FTE) LSU A&M faculty and staff in a permanent, full-time position with a minimum of one (1) year employment (prior to enrollment) with approval from immediate supervisor and department head.

  • Full tuition exemption for traditional undergraduate and graduate coursework except for the LSU MBA and LSU Law program, certifications, and other higher cost self-supporting programs. The MBA programs qualify for partial tuition exemption up to the regular covered amount of a graduate program (six (6) credit hours in fall/spring, three (3) credit hours in summer). Tuition exemption includes exemption from the Student Excellence Fee, but does not cover exemption of other required fees, including the MBA professional program fee.
  • For eligible A&M staff and faculty, employees may register for job-related courses being used in pursuit of a degree for up to six (6) credit hours per semester. The maximum credit hours an employee could take for the full academic year, (Fall, Spring & Summer) would be 18 hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.
  • Up to three (3) hours per week per semester may be taken during work time for traditional classes only without charging an employee leave time, if approved by supervisor. If more than three (3) hours are requested during work hours, annual leave must be used, and supervisor approval must be obtained.

Exemption can be declined if: 

  • Employee receives two consecutive semesters with below C grades. The next semester must be C’s or higher to regain exemption.
  • Employee withdrawals from class two consecutive semesters without a grade.
  • Employee becomes ineligible for the tuition exemption by reduction in percent effort or resignation/termination before the last day to add a class.
  • Employees may file an appeal for decline of exemption with the Benefits Office of Human Resource Management.

Employees must complete a new tuition exemption request before tuition is due for each semester. If an employee changes, adds, or drops a class after the initial request is submitted, a revised tuition exemption request must be submitted.

  • The value of benefits classified as Education assistance exceeding IRS limits must be included in employee wages. For more information on these limits see IRS Publication 15-B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits. 

Online Tuition Exemption 

Full-time (100% FTE) LSU A&M faculty and staff in a permanent, full-time position with a minimum of one (1) year employment (prior to enrollment) with approval from immediate supervisor and department head.

  • Full tuition exemption for online undergraduate and graduate coursework. The MBA programs qualify for partial tuition exemption up to the regular covered amount of a graduate program (six (6) credit hours in fall/spring, three (3) credit hours in summer). Tuition exemption includes exemption from the Student Excellence Fee, but does not cover exemption of other required fees, including the MBA professional program fee.
  • For eligible A&M staff and faculty, employees may register for job-related courses being used in pursuit of a degree for up to six (6) credit hours with any combination of A&M modules within the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. For example, an employee could take three (3) hours in first fall module and three (3) in the second fall module or they could take six (6) in the first module but would be capped at a total of six (6) credit hours over that entire fall semester. The maximum credit hours an employee could take for the full academic year, (Fall, Spring & Summer) would be 18 hours at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

Exemption can be declined if: 

  • Employee receives two consecutive modules with below C grades. The following module must be C’s or higher to regain exemption.
  • Employee withdrawals from their class during two consecutive modules without a grade. Employee becomes ineligible for the tuition exemption by a reduction in percent effort or resignation/termination.
  • Employee becomes ineligible for the tuition exemption by reduction in percent effort or resignation/termination before the last day to add a class.
  • Employees may file an appeal for decline of exemption with the Benefits Office of Human Resource Management. 

Employees must complete a new tuition exemption request before tuition is due for each semester/module. If an employee changes, adds, or drops a class after the initial request is submitted, a revised tuition exemption request must be submitted

The value of benefits classified as Education assistance exceeding IRS limits must be included in employee wages. For more information on these limits see IRS Publication 15-B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits. 

Graduate

  • Flores Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Arts in Education - Educational Technology
  • Master of Arts in Education - Higher Education Administration
  • Master of Education - Educational Leadership
  • Master Arts in Liberal Arts
  • Master of Library and Information Science - Archival Studies
  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Science in Analytics
  • Master of Science in Civil Engineering
  • Master of Science in Environmental Science
  • Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
  • Master of Science in Kinesiology - Health Promotion and Sport Performance
  • Master of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development
  • Master of Science in Sport Management
  • Master of Social Work

Graduate Certificate

  • Graduate Certificate in Analytics
  • Graduate Certificate in Archival Studies
  • Graduate Certificate in Cloud Computing and Machine Learning
  • Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity & Risk Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology
  • Graduate Certificate in Emerging Information Technologies for Business
  • Graduate Certificate in Environmental & Energy Policy
  • Graduate Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences
  • Graduate Certificate in Environmental Modeling & Analysis
  • Graduate Certificate in Financial Analytics
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Analytics
  • Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Systems Engineering
  • Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Health Professions
  • Graduate Certificate in Transportation Engineering
  • Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Construction Management
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Facilities Management

Undergraduate

  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
  • Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Decision Sciences
  • Bachelor of Science in General Business - Business Analytics
  • Bachelor of Science in General Business - Digital Marketing
  • Bachelor of Science in General Business - HR Management
  • Bachelor of Science in General Business - IT Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Human Resource Development
  • Bachelor of Science in Learning Experience Design and Innovation
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Forensic Psychology
  • Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration - Sport Commerce
  • Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration - Sport Leadership
  • Bachelor of Science in Political Science
  • Undergraduate Certificate in Child Care Administration

Undergraduate Certificate in Construction Management 
To apply now, visit LSU Online or call 1-833-280-5634 for more information.

LSU Online Tuition Exemption Program Repayment Agreement & Terms

 

 

 Employment Terms Repayment
Employed less than six (6) months (or less than one semester for employees on Academic pay basis) Return 100% of exemption 
Employed at least six (6) months but less than one year (or at least one semester but less than one academic year for employees on Academic pay basis) Return 50% of exemption 

 

Instructions for Automated Tuition Exemption Request

  1. Go to mylsu > click Employee Resources and select Tuition Exemption Request
  2. The “Employee Information” section will automatically be populated with your information along with your class schedule, you must include enter your phone number.
  3. You must select your supervisor and department head’s name from the drop-down menu. An automated e-mail notifies the employee’s supervisor of the request.  
      1. If your immediate supervisor’s name is not in the drop-down menu, you should check the box that says, “If your supervisor does not exist or the supervisor choice(s) are incorrect, please check” and contact your department’s HR Contact to have them assign a supervisor for you on HRS.
      2. If your class schedule requires you to miss more than 3 hours of work per week, you must indicate in the box at the bottom of the screen. You will either submit a modified work schedule or a statement indicating that you will use annual leave to cover any time in excess of the weekly 3-hour allotment.
  4. Next, you will need to answer the questions retaining to your request. Once the supervisor approves the request, the department chair receives an automated e-mail notification. She/he will review and approve the request. Upon approval, HRM will receive the request and processes the completed tuition exemption request.

Other Tuition Programs

Eligibility Requirements for Residency Exemption

  • Active Full-time (100% FTE) LSU System employees and immediate family members. 

Program Provisions: 

  • Waiver of Non-Resident (out-of-state) fee for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Fees exempted include only the “Nonresident Fees” as noted in the University’s official fee schedule.
  • Waiver cannot be applied until registered for courses.
  • If the request is for an immediate family member, the employee must furnish copy of marriage and/or birth certificate of dependent. The spouse and/or dependents of the employee are eligible for the exemption based on the determination of the employee’s eligibility in accordance with the above criteria, and their proof of the relationship to the employee.
  • In the case where an unmarried dependent of a full-time university employee is requesting the exemption, and the employee’s assignment is outside of Louisiana, LSU System’s PM-31 requires the employee be employed by the University for at least one (1) year in order for the dependent to be entitled to an exemption under this program.  

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Dependents of members of faculty who had five (5) or more years of full-time service in the Louisiana State University System and were full-time, tenured members of LSU faculty at the time of death, will be exempt from the payment of all University-assessed undergraduate fees (Registration and Non-Resident Fee) on any campus of the Louisiana State University System.

Program Provisions:

  • Dependents may receive four (4) years of tuition waivers for undergraduate coursework. Tuition waiver does not cover fees and/or application fees.
    • A copy of death and birth certificate must be submitted with tuition waiver application. 

 

Additional Resources