The Northern Michigan University Educational Assistance plan:

  • Is sponsored by Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI  49855. The university's employer identification number is 38-6029206.
  • Provides payment of eligible educational expenses for employees.
  • Is administered by the university.
  • Is funded by university contributions and the payment of administrative expenses by the university.
  • Was established effective January 1, 2002.

Eligibility

Employees shall become eligible to participate in the plan if they are an employee on the first day of classes of the semester for which they apply for benefits. The right of eligible employees to benefits shall be limited as provided below.

Employees who are eligible to participate in the plan are: executives; senior administrators; senior management; academic department heads, deans and coaches; faculty represented by the American Association of University Professors or the NMU Faculty Association; administrative and professional employees represented by the UAW Local 2178; clerical and technical employees represented by the UAW Local 1950; food service, maintenance and police officers represented by AFSCME Local 1094; adjunct faculty; and retirees.

An employee is not eligible to participate in the plan upon leaving the employ of the university, which means if they are not employed at the university on the first day of classes of the semester for which they apply for benefits; university retirees and former employees who terminate under the reduction in force plan 2003 or 2004 continue to be eligible for benefits regardless of their employment status.

Your Educational Assistance plan benefits

You may receive up to $5,250 in benefits from this plan each year.

Your Contribution or Cost

You are not required to make contributions to receive benefits from this plan.

Covered Expenses

The cost of tuition for educational courses at the university will be paid by the university, with limitations.

If you receive financial assistance, a fellowship or a scholarship from the university in connection with any educational course for the semester for which you apply for benefits under this plan, you will not be eligible for benefits from this plan for that semester.

Expenses Not Covered by Plan

The following are expenses for which you cannot be reimbursed from this plan.

The cost of tools or supplies.
The cost of meals, lodging and transportation incidental to any educational course.
An educational course that gives instruction in any sport, game or hobby.
Courses for more credits than the number of credits of courses you teach during a given semester if you are adjunct faculty.

How to File a Claim

You must file a written request signed by your supervisor with the Human Resources Department within one month after the beginning of the educational course for which you wish to receive benefits under this plan. The request must state:

The course or courses you are taking and the number of corresponding credit hours.
The hours during the day which the course is held.
Whether you are receiving any university financial assistance, a fellowship or a scholarship.
The university will notify you within 10 working days of receipt of your request whether you are entitled to a benefit unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, in which case written notice of such extension will be provided within 10 working days of receipt of your request and notice of entitlement will be provided within 30 working days thereafter.

If Your Claim is Denied

If a claim is denied in whole or in part, you will receive an explanation from the Human Resources Department explaining the reason for the denial.

If you do not agree with a claim denial, you may request an appeals committee comprised of at least three but not more than five individuals appointed by the Board of Trustees of the university to review your claim, but only after exhausting any and all university policies, procedures or practices with the purpose to resolve matters related to student or employee academic or other benefits.

You should submit comments in writing, and you may submit additional information with your request for review. You may request and receive copies of pertinent documents.

A decision will be made not later than 10 working days following the receipt of your request for review or the date you have furnished all required information, whichever is later.

When Your Benefits End

Your benefits end when you are no longer eligible to participate in the plan or if the plan is terminated, modified, amended or changed to end such coverage.

Future of the Plan

The university reserves the right to terminate, modify, amend or change the Educational Assistance plan at any time and for any reason without the prior consent or agreement of employees.