EMPLOYEE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FAQS
The Employee Continuing Education Program is a joint reimbursement program by WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and the Thomas Foundation to further the continuing education of WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals employees. These programs provide WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals dedicated staff with an opportunity to advance their knowledge and provide excellent patient care.
The programs consist of a reimbursement process for WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals employees. The Employee Family Educational Reimbursement Program is a separate entity and involves a different process. Please click here to learn more.
Please note these programs are reimbursement-based only and not a scholarship; funds can only be dispersed after the completion of the semester.
To apply, first make sure eligibility criteria is met. Some requirements include:
- Tuition reimbursement is available to full and part-time employees of WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals. Per diem, temporary or WOB employees are not eligible for this benefit.
- Eligible WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals employees must have completed their probationary period (normally six months) and be in good standing with attendance and discipline.
- Written (or above) disciplines within the past 12 months will disqualify the employee.
- Probationary employees admitted to a formal healthcare related program (Nursing, Laboratory, Imaging, etc.) may apply and qualify for tuition reimbursement at the beginning of the semester following their hire date.
- Courses must qualify for college credit hours.
Please click here to read full eligibility requirements for reimbursement.
- Applicants must complete a WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals Employee Tuition Reimbursement Application at the end of each semester.
- Applications are to be signed by the department director/manager and then forwarded to Education Services Department.
- Participants must submit documentation of tuition expenses including fees and books, transcripts and grades received within thirty (30) days of course completion.
- The maximum reimbursement given to the eligible employee with funds from WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals and Thomas Foundation is up to $3,000/semester, maximum of $9,000/year.
- Employees are required to obtain an A or B or P for a pass/fail course to be eligible for reimbursement.
- Employees receiving Tuition Reimbursement are required to work six months full or part time for every semester funded.
- Tuition reimbursement in no way guarantees continuation of employment or promotion.
If your application is approved, a reimbursement check will be mailed to the address submitted on your application.
WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals Employee Education Programs accept applications on a rolling basis year-round.
WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals employees can apply for an educational reimbursement for up to three semesters annually, based on calendar year.
We highly encourage everyone who is eligible for the programs to apply. Applications are carefully screened upon receipt, and the main reason for rejection is failure to meet the eligibility requirements, specifically years of service and full-time employment status. Please review the requirements carefully before applying.
If you would like to check the status of your specific application, contact Ben Priddy, Benjamin.Priddy@ThomasHealth.org for questions related to the Employee Continuing Education Program and the Foundation, Foundation@ThomasHealth.org, 304-766-4340, related to Family Scholarships.
If all requirements are met and your application is approved, the Accounting department will process and mail your check to the address you provided on the application.
Yes. Certain requirements have to be met for both the employee and the family member to be eligible for our educational reimbursements. Please note, these are reimbursement-only scholarships. They are awarded at the conclusion of a course or semester. Please click here to learn more about employee family educational reimbursements.