Educational assistance is an employee benefit in which the employer reimburses employees for the costs associated with continuing education. The employee must be seeking a degree at an educational institution that maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities. 

Sanford Health and Good Samaritan Society support lifelong learning and are pleased to offer financial support for employees who are continuing education in a field that can enhance their contributions to the organization. Read below for more information on how to apply for education assistance. 

Requirements & Eligibility:

• Employees are eligible to apply for education assistance upon day 1 of successful employment.
• Employees receiving educational assistance are expected to remain employed at Sanford Health / Good Samaritan Society as a full-time or part-time employee for at least one year upon completion of the course otherwise repayment may be required.
• Must not have been placed on a documented performance improvement or corrective action plan in One Source within the past 12 months.
• Acceptable courses are to enhance the employee's abilities to better perform their present job or, in some cases, to qualify them for other positions at Sanford Health.
• Employees who, prior to completing the approved course, voluntarily leave Sanford Health or are involuntarily terminated will no longer be eligible for educational assistance.
• Employees can submit up to 3 applications per calendar year, but each application must be submitted under a different session.
• Applications must be submitted within 30 days of session completion to be considered.
• Must meet or exceed degree progression standards for GPA requirements for their program to be eligible.

Note: Educational assistance may also be granted for passing a "pass / fail" course from an accredited institution.

How to determine what session to select:

• Spring Session - For all classes ending in or before May (January - May)
• Summer Session - For all classes ending in or before September (June- September)
• Fall Session - For all classes ending in or before December (October - December)

Payment:

Employees will pay all educational expenses in advance. If approved, Education Assistance monies are provided directly to the employee after successful completion of coursework. Payment or reimbursement will be sent via direct deposit. Make sure to have your direct deposit set up in One Source (Workday) prior to the end of the desired semester or before payment is to be sent. For step by step instructions on how to set this up refer to the Manage Payment Elections for Expense Reimbursements located on the One Source Expenses article.

Upon course completion, employees should upload proof of payment (tuition only) and official transcripts to the Sanford Health application site through which they applied. The funds an employee receives must be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution.

Annually, awarded amounts of educational assistance and sponsored scholarships may not exceed $5250 without tax implications for the applicant. 

• Full time employees are awarded $1000 per session
• Part time employees are awarded $500 per session
• PRN employees are not eligible. 

Note: Applicants may receive up to $1000 per semester, determined by their employment status (FTE) and proof of financial need/out of pocket costs. Annually, awarded amounts of educational assistance and sponsored scholarships may not exceed $5250 without tax implications for the applicant.

For questions or technical assistance, please email EducationalAssistance@sanfordhealth.org.