An increase to The University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma's employee and dependent tuition waiver program policy was approved at Thursday's Board of Regents meeting.
The policy was increased from 50% to 100% during Thursday’s meeting, meaning any USAO employee or their dependent can attend USAO at zero tuition cost, according to a press release.
Students will still be financially responsibility for fees, books, room and board and other associated costs.
“Providing cost-free tuition to our employees and their families does more than boost recruiting,” USAO President Kayla Hale said. “It gives us an opportunity to enrich the lives of our faculty and staff.”
Those eligible for the program include full-time USAO employees who have worked at the university at least six months at the start of a trimester, their legal spouses and children, all who must be an Oklahoma resident.
“The numbers determined that this program has come at little cost to the university,” said Nick Hathaway, vice president of business & finance. “To be able to enhance this program while simultaneously increasing opportunities for our employees and their families — without moving mountains to make it happen —just makes sense.”
The program will go into effect starting in the 2025 fall trimester.