Courtesy Scholarship

The Courtesy Scholarship, available to Emory University employees and their family members, is a grant that covers tuition exclusively (not textbooks, fees or other miscellaneous charges) to those who apply and are admitted for enrollment in academic programs at Emory University. The percentage of tuition covered depends on your years of service.

Emory Healthcare employees are not eligible for the Courtesy Scholarship.

Eligibility

Refer to the Courtesy Scholarship Policy for eligibility requirements.

View Courtesy Scholarship Policy

How to Enroll

STEP 1: Complete the Admissions Process

Apply to the appropriate school by meeting all deadlines and admission requirements. Once the Office of Admissions receives and enters your application for your requested school into OPUS, you can apply for the Courtesy Scholarship. 

Once enrolled in a course(s,) the Courtesy Scholarship will be applied via the OPUS student account in conjunction with the Financial Aid disbursement schedule.

STEP 2: Complete the Courtesy Scholarship Application in OPUS

After the admissions application has been entered in OPUS by the Office of Admissions, the student receives an ID* and password providing login access to OPUS. Note – if you already have OPUS access as an employee, you must wait until you’re given “Student” access to complete this step.

The student (employee/dependent/spouse) completes the Courtesy Scholarship application in OPUS under the Student Account tile > Other Account Services > Courtesy Scholarship Request. The application is a one-time requirement – it does not have to be completed each term that you wish to use it.

Allow time for processing. Contact the school’s admission office directly if there are any difficulties in obtaining log in information.

*To find your employee ID #, log into HR Self-Service/PeopleSoft > Personal Information > Personal Details > Additional Information.

STEP 3: Provide Proof of Relationship to Student Financial Services

Dependents and spouses are required to present proof of relationship to the Emory University employee, per the Courtesy Scholarship Policy. Proof* can be scanned and emailed to the Courtesy Scholarship inbox. The scholarship is not awarded until this step is complete.

*Birth certificate or adoption paperwork is required for dependents; marriage certificate is required for spouses.

Log in to OPUS

Impact on Taxes

The taxability of the educational assistance is determined by federal regulations and is subject to change. Currently, up to $5,250 of educational assistance provided to an employee is not included in taxable income. Amounts above $5,250 are included in taxable income, and FICA is withheld. An example is provided below:

Impact on Taxes
Spring SemesterSummer SemesterFall SemesterTotal Courtesy AwardEducational Assistance not included in taxable incomeEducational Assistance included in taxable incomeFICA Taxes to be deducted (7.65%)
$10,517$8,305$0$18,822$5,250$13,572$1,038.25

FAQs

The Courtesy Scholarship is a grant that covers tuition exclusively (not textbooks, fees or other miscellaneous charges). It is made available to Emory University employees and their family members who apply and are admitted for enrollment in academic programs at Emory University. The percentage of tuition covered depends on your years of service.

Regular full-time Emory University employees who have completed 1 year of consecutive service are eligible to enroll in undergraduate, graduate or professional level courses up to 5 credit hours per academic session (for the purposes of the Courtesy Scholarship policy, 36 hours or more is considered regular full-time). Regular part-time University employees working at least 20 hours per week and completing 2 years of consecutive service are eligible to enroll in undergraduate, graduate or professional level courses up to 4 credit hours per academic session. For specific details, see the policy.

Emory Healthcare employees are not eligible for the Courtesy Scholarship.

To determine when the Courtesy Scholarship is available to you, log on to Self-Service, click Benefits > Education Benefits > Courtesy Scholarship. Under Instructions for First Time Applicants, click Employee or Spouse; then click Continue (bottom right). These steps will take you to the page to view your current Courtesy Scholarship eligibility status and the dates you and your dependents are eligible.

The Courtesy Scholarship covers only academic credit hours for which an employee, spouse or child (natural or legally adopted) actually enrolls in an academic session, up to the maximum credit hours allowed. Eligible dependents and spouses of regular full-time and part-time eligible employees may enroll as degree-seeking students in undergraduate courses only. Continuing education and some certificate programs are not covered by the Courtesy Scholarship.

The student (employee/dependent/spouse) completes the Courtesy Scholarship application in OPUS under the Student Account tile > Other Account Services > Courtesy Scholarship Request. The application is a one-time requirement – it does not have to be completed each term that you wish to use it. If you are the employee, applying as “Self,” your employee ID number is not required in the application process. Dependents and spouses will need the respective employee’s ID number when completing their Courtesy Scholarship applications.

Yes, the Courtesy Scholarship covers tuition, up to the maximum credit hours allowed, for summer courses and study abroad programs.

No – as long as you are enrolling with the same ID number, you do not have to complete another application. The application is a one-time requirement, permanently tied to your Emory ID number.

Contact Information

Courtesy Scholarship Administrator
Contact for:

Questions about enrolling

Name:

Sandra Gray, Courtesy Scholarship Administrator, Student Accounts and Billing Office

Address:
B. Jones Center, Room 101 Atlanta, Georgia 30322
Benefits and Work Life Department
Contact for:

Questions about the policy