Intent

The Staff Study Assistance Policy is designed to encourage personal and professional development of staff and to benefit James Cook University (JCU) as a whole.

Scope

This policy applies to continuing and fixed-term staff members appointed for 12 months or more at JCU Australia. It does not apply to casual staff or short-term academic visitors.

Definitions

Nil

Policy

JCU is committed to encouraging eligible staff to undertake tertiary study by providing assistance to complete a formal undergraduate qualification at JCU.

1.  Principles

1. Study Assistance approval is immediately void where the staff member ceases employment.
2. Where a staff member commences a new role impacting the Study Assistance approval, the staff members application must be re-assessed in consideration of the new role, which may result in a change of category of study, and/or changes to the Study Assistance approved, or cessation of the Study Assistance.
3. Study Assistance granted to staff members who are less than full time will be provided on a prorata basis, calculated according to the proportion of full time hours they work.
4. Study must be completed, and any reimbursement made, prior to the end of the staff member’s employment.
5. Staff Study Assistance will be approved on an annual basis. To be eligible for study assistance to continue, the staff must undertake at least 1 subject per calendar year. Where a staff member is on extended leave (six months or more) there will be no requirement to study during the period of the leave; however, study must resume within a 12 month period following the leave.
6. Staff Study Assistance is to support undergraduate study undertaken at JCU only.
7. Any tax incurred as a result of participation in Study Assistance will be the responsibility of the staff member. The staff member should seek their own tax / financial advice.

2.  Eligibility to Apply

1. Applicants will:
   • be employed on a continuing basis; or
   • be employed on a fixed term basis greater than 12 months duration
2. The application is for future study in an undergraduate bachelor level program undertaken at JCU.
3. The application must be submitted at least one month prior to the commencement of the relevant study period. Retrospective approval will not be granted.

Related policy instruments

Related policy instruments include but are not limited to the following documents.

Further related instruments can be found at the JCU Human Resources website.

Staff Study Assistance Scheme Procedure

Schedules/Appendices

Staff Study Assistance Scheme Application Form

Related documents and legislation

Not applicable

Administration

Approval Details

Revision History