Sec. 14.27.02.25. Training

A. Financial Assistance. The Service may offer financial assistance to an employee for the cost of completing:

(1) An advanced education program at a preauthorized, accredited undergraduate or graduate institution;

(2) Employee job training or development courses; or

(3) A high school equivalency program.

B. Procedure.

(1) An employee requesting financial assistance for expenses authorized in §A of this regulation shall:

(a) Make a formal request to the Human Resources Division in advance of registration;

(b) Provide justification that the courses are relevant to Service needs; and

(c) Obtain the approval of the employee's group executive director and the Chief of the Human Resources Division.

(2) The Service may grant an employee financial assistance up to 100 percent of tuition costs, registration fees, lab fees, and required books, not exceeding the annual dollar limit allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.

(3) The employee shall secure a passing grade of "C" or better for undergraduate college credit courses and a "B" or better for graduate college credit courses. If a letter grade is not awarded, proof of successful completion of the course or certification shall be provided.

C. An employee who terminates employment with the Service, for any reason, within 1 year of completion of a course for which the Service has provided financial assistance, may be required to reimburse the Service for the entire cost of the assistance provided for a course in which the employee was enrolled during the year.