How to ask your employer for tuition reimbursement
Approach the boss on a good day, don't assume anything—and more tips for getting the most tuition help you can from work
By Emilie Le Beau, 8/17/09
For some workers, asking the boss for a measly day off is a nauseating experience. But asking for thousands of dollars in tuition reimbursement? The intimidation is enough to keep some would-be students out of the classroom.
Crying, threatening to quit or demanding a specific sum won’t work, says Tim Ursiny, Ph.D., author of The Coward’s Guide to Conflict. But preparing a smart proposal and listening to a boss’s response can mean money. “Bosses are human, too. They don’t like negotiation any more than you do,” he says.
Prepare your pitch
Set your goal and know exactly how much money you want before you set up a meeting. Be optimistic but reasonable.
“Envision it going well,” says Ursiny. “People react more to our energy than our words.”
Be creative
If cash reimbursement isn’t an option for your employer, be creative in your request. Would your employer be willing to increase your health benefits while you’re both working and attending school? Or perhaps offer a discount for your children through the company day care?
Take your time
You don’t have to talk dollar figures in your first conversation. “The person that throws out the amount first loses,” he says. Let your boss make the first offer.
Always ask
Even when companies have set reimbursement policies, asking is still a must.
Make sure the classes you intend to take will be covered under the policy. For example, Spanish classes at a community college might count, but piano lessons or going for a real estate license might not.
Plan on completing an application for reimbursement, and earning a minimum grade before getting the check.
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