TCC offers option for tuition-free classes to state employees

The upcoming spring semester at Tallahassee Community College will continue to offer State of Florida employees the opportunity to take classes tuition free.

Through TCC's existing State Employee Tuition Waiver Program, full-time state employees are eligible to take up to six (6) credit hours per semester on a space available basis. The program does not cover the cost for books, lab fees and late application fees. Additionally, some student services fees may not be covered by the program.

TCC will not be able to process any tuition waivers during the College's Winter Break, which runs Monday, December 22 through Friday, January 2. As a result, State of Florida employees will only have a one-day registration window prior to the College closing for the holidays.

Interested participants can register for available classes in any of TCC's Spring 2009 sessions on Friday, December 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The next opportunity for registration will be Monday, January 5 at 8 a.m. Please visit www.tcc.fl.edu/stateemployee for additional registration information.

TCC's Spring 2009 Main and A sessions begin Wednesday, January 7; C session begins Monday, January 26; and B session begins Wednesday, February 25.

“TCC is proud to offer state employees this opportunity to enhance their skills and job competence for a better future,” said TCC spokeswoman Susie Hall.

According to Hall, web-based courses are also eligible under the program. Self-paced instruction, TV and non-credit courses do not qualify; however, web-assisted, web-based and remedial courses are eligible.

All full-time permanent state employees as certified by the agency's supervisor and agency head and by the Bureau of State Payrolls in the Department of Financial Services are eligible to participate in the program. In addition, state departments that handle their own payroll must submit a payroll authorization letter verifying the student's employment status, if applicable. State of Florida employees who are also receiving federal financial aid are eligible to use the TCC State Employee Tuition Waiver. However, State University System employees are not eligible to participate.

First-time participants in the program must first apply for admission to the College by logging on to http://www.gototcc.com/. Once admitted, participants can register for classes by logging on to TCC Passport at tccpassport.tcc.fl.edu during the established registration window. After successfully registering for a class, state employees must submit the TCC State Tuition Waiver Form, with all of the required signatures, to the Enrollment Services office by the payment deadline on the student's schedule/fee slip to avoid registration issues.

For more information on TCC's State Tuition Waiver Program, contact the Office of Enrollment Services at (850) 201-8555, or log on to www.tcc.fl.edu/stateemployee.