Education Assistance Plan

a. The FY2023 budget process has started and the Education Assistance and Career Incentive Program depends on funding availability.  As the budget process moves further along, a determination will be made regarding funding availability for the program in 2023.  Once a determination is made, an announcement will be shared concerning the next open enrollment period.  

a. The employee is permanent, full-time, and has completed at least 6 months of employment with Fulton County Government.
b. The educational program is on the department’s approved list.
c. The educational program is from an accredited institution or independent certification body.
d. The employee’s pre-approval form is being submitted during the Open Enrollment Period for a future educational program that the employee will either be enrolled or will complete during the specified quarter or semester.

a. Programs at accredited institutions that relate:
i. directly to the employee’s present position or
ii. to future job goal within the County. (Must be a position that employee is reasonably expected to advance or transfer in the future).

b. *Covers all general education courses eligible for credit towards completion of the degree program.

a. No, participation is a privilege granted at the discretion of the Appointing Authority. There are no opportunities for grievance or appeal.

a. Yes , an employee may request reimbursement of the costs of textbooks and other study materials for approved courses taken.

a. All payments are made to eligible employees once funding is available.

b. Tuition Reimbursements are made to any employee who completes an approved course. The employee may qualify for reimbursement up to $5,000 per calendar year or a lifetime cap of $35,000.

c. Education Achievement Bonuses are paid according to the table below.

For example, if you earn an approved license, the $6000 will be paid over a 2-year period. You will receive $3000 in year one and $3000 in year two.

a. Licensures, professional certifications, and certification programs that are on your department’s approved list.

a. A certification program is training on a specialized topic in which participants receive a certificate after completing a course and passing an assessment. Completion of that program demonstrates knowledge for a set period of time.

b. A Professional Certification is recognized across the industry as validating a certain level of expertise. A Professional Certification has ongoing requirements to maintain the designation.

a. Fulton County will seek to recoup monies paid in accordance with the Recoupment of Monies Policy (add policy number) on a prorated basis. This means that you will return money for the remaining months of the service agreement that was not worked.

a. Yes, Education Achievement Bonuses will be offered for licensures, professional certifications, and certification programs on your current department’s approved list. Employees must apply via www.fultoncountyga.gov/educationassistance.

a. At this time, degrees are considered under the Tuition Reimbursement program.

This is currently being reviewed by the County’s leadership team. When a final determination is made, an announcement will be shared. Only programs completed after May 2022 are being considered at this time.

a. The department could add to the $10,000 so it can permit more employees to be considered, the initial answer would be yes once it is confirmed in advance that the availability of funding with the departmental budget analyst

a. No. ORCA employees are not eligible to participate in the Education Assistance and Career Incentive Plan. The Education Assistance and Career Incentive Policy indicates that only permanent, full-time County Employees are eligible to participate in the Education Assistance and Career Incentive Plan.

Generally, an employee who did not submit an application during the pre-approval open enrollment period will not be permitted to participate in the Education Assistance Program. An exception will be granted, however, to those employees who were unable to apply for participation during the pre-approval open enrollment period due to ordered military duty.