College Release Program and Staff Education Reimbursement

College Release Program (CRP)

Staff Education Reimbursement

An educational benefit that allows non-probationary full-time, benefits-eligible staff to attend graduate and undergraduate college courses of up to three (3) hours per week, per regular semester (fall and spring), at the UHD or other University of Houston System (UHS) institutions.

Requirements to participate:

• Official semester class schedule must be submitted prior to approval for verification.
• College Release Time (CRT) is up to three (3) hours per week that can be requested through Manage Absence in TRAM/PASS to attend class during the employee's normal work hours. Participants must submit CRT weekly. Supervisor approval is necessary to participate. 
• The course must be synchronous (has a scheduled meeting time whether in person or online) or requires time for the employee to travel to attend in person.

An educational benefit that reimburses (depending on the availability of funds) tuition and course-related fees to non-probationary full-time, benefits-eligible staff attending credit-bearing classes at a UHS institution, leading to a degree or course applicable to their job.

Criteria to participate:

• Awards are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Waitlisted applicants may be awarded if spots open by semester’s end.
• Employed at UHD through the official close of the term (based on the official semester class schedule).
• No prior financial obligations to the State of Texas, UHD or other UHS institutions. 
• In good academic standing (not on academic probation).
• UHD Tuition Rates
  
  

• Probationary period that must be completed before the semester begins:
  • Exempt: 1 year
  • Non-Exempt: 6 months
• Obtaining a graduate or undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Enrolled in a credit-bearing course that leads to a degree applicable to the employee's job or career ladder. 
• Participants will receive a notification of approval/denial 2 weeks before the 1st day of classes based on the requirements. 
• Earned a "C" letter grade or better for the semester will approve your CRP/reimbursement (depending on the availability of funds) and make you eligible to participate next semester. Employees who did not earn a “C” or better for the semester, or who dropped/withdrew the course approved under the CRP/Staff Education Reimbursement, will not be eligible for the CRP/Staff Education Reimbursement the following semester.