Tuition Remission, Exchange and Graduate Tuition Assistance

As an institution of higher education, we believe in the value of education. Through our tuition assistance programs, we provide opportunities for our employees and their dependents to learn and grow personally and professionally. 

Pacific University offers three tuition opportunities for our employees and dependents: Undergraduate Tuition Remission, Undergraduate Tuition Exchange, Graduate Tuition Assistance. 

Undergraduate Tuition Remission

Undergraduate Tuition Remission Benefits

Through undergraduate tuition remission, 100% of tuition is waived for classes at Pacific University.

  • This does not include fees, room and board, books, insurance, private lessons, etc.

Undergraduate Tuition Remission Programs

Undergraduate Tuition Remission is available for the following programs:

Forest Grove Undergraduate Programs

College of Health Professions Programs

Eligibility

Tier I and Tier II benefit-eligible employees are eligible after one year of continuous employment at Pacific University. For employees who gain eligibility after the first day of classes for the current semester, eligibility will begin for the next semester. Eligible individuals include:

  • Employee
  • Employee's spouse/domestic partner
  • Employee's dependent children
    • Under age of 24
    • Claimed as dependent on most recent IRS Income Tax Return or in divorce decree
    • Only for first bachelor's degree 

Apply for Undergraduate Tuition Remission

Undergraduate Tuition Exchange

Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Benefits

With tuition exchange, a percentage of tuition is waived at a participating school in the form of a scholarship.

  • Tuition exchange scholarships are competitive, and eligible applicants are not guaranteed a scholarship at participating schools.
  • Tuition exchange does not include fees, study abroad, travel, room and board, books, insurance, private lessons, etc.

Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Eligibility

Tier I and Tier II benefit-eligible employees are eligible after one year of continuous employment. Applicant must be employee's dependent children:

  • Under the age of 24
  • Claimed as a dependent on most recent IRS Income Tax Return or in divorce decree
  • Seeking first bachelor's degree only

Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Application Process

  • The undergraduate tuition exchange application period is open October 1 through November 30 for the upcoming academic year. Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will be accepted beginning Tuesday, October 1, 2024 through Saturday, November 30, 2024.
  • If your dependent child is a new applicant or is currently on a tuition exchange scholarship, a new Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Application must be submitted annually to Human Resources at hraccount@pacificu.edu by November 30.
  • Applying to the Tuition Exchange program involves two applications: 1) the application to Pacific University Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Program due by Nov. 30; and, 2) If/when approved for the Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Program by Pacific University, the applicant must also apply for the Tuition Exchange Scholarship at the Tuition Exchange website.
  • A member of the HR team will send you an email confirmation that your application has been approved or denied no later than December 31. 
  • Tuition Exchange application approval by Pacific does not guarantee the applicant a tuition exchange placement at another participating school.

Undergraduate Tuition Exchange Resources

Understanding the Award Process
Admissions Terms
School Search

Apply for Undergraduate Tuition Exchange

Graduate Tuition Assistance

Graduate Tuition Assistance Benefits

Graduate Tuition Assistance is available to employees seeking a Pacific degree. Tuition assistance may not exceed the value set annually by the IRS per calendar year as tax exempt (see: Employer-provided educational assistance). Read the full Pacific University policy.

  • Graduate Tuition Assistance does not include fees, books, insurance, private lessons, etc.

Graduate Tuition Assistance Programs

Graduate Tuition Assistance is available for the following Pacific University academic programs:

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Business

College of Education

College of Health Professions

College of Optometry

Graduate Tuition Assistance Eligibility

Tier I and Tier II benefit-eligible employees are eligible after one year of continuous employment. For employees who gain eligibility after the first day of classes for the current semester, eligibility will begin for the next semester. Individuals must:

  • Be an employee of Pacific University
  • Be admitted and matriculated into a degree or certificate program before receiving this benefit
  • Maintain the program standard for academic good standing

Apply for Graduate Tuition Assistance

 

Waiting Period Waiver

The one-year eligibility waiting period for Tuition Benefits may be waived if the following conditions are met:

(1)  employed for a minimum of one year at an institution of education as defined under the Internal Revenue Code: “a regular faculty and curriculum and normally have a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance where the educational activities are regularly carried on.” Examples of educational organizations include but are not limited to: Higher-Educational Institutions, Public School Districts, and trade/technical schools.

(2)  worked at least 1000 hours (per year) in a position that was not temporary, adjunct or student status

(3)  during the entire twelve month period before the first day with Pacific University

New employees must provide proof of employment that includes these details to Human Resources within the first 30 days following their official Hire Date at Pacific University. Employees are responsible for ensuring the required documentation is provided in a timely manner.