Tuition Exchange Program

What is Tuition Exchange? 
Tuition Exchange is a reciprocal scholarship program that allows eligible DU employees and their dependent children to apply for tuition-only scholarships at participating nonprofit colleges and universities. 

Who is eligible for Tuition Exchange through DU? 
Dependent children, as defined by IRS rules, under age 25, of regular full-time DU employees are eligible at the undergraduate level. DU employees themselves may participate at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at other Tuition Exchange institutions. Eligibility is available for immediate use upon hire into an eligible position. Dependents of non-custodial parents are eligible. 

Is Tuition Exchange guaranteed? 
No. Tuition Exchange is competitive. Admission to a host institution does not guarantee receipt of a Tuition Exchange scholarship, and awards are limited by the host institution’s policies and capacity. 

What is the difference between an export and an import at DU? 
Exports are DU employees or their dependents who attend another Tuition Exchange member institution and receive a Tuition Exchange award from that institution. Imports are students from other Tuition Exchange institutions who attend DU and receive a Tuition Exchange award from DU. DU does not offer Tuition Exchange awards for graduate-level imports. 

What levels of study are supported at DU? 
Exports may be used for undergraduate and graduate study, depending on the host institution’s rules. Imports at DU are limited to undergraduate study only. 

How does a student apply? 
Students must apply for admission to each institution and submit a Tuition Exchange application through the Tuition Exchange online portal. All institutional and Tuition Exchange deadlines must be met. Students seeking to import to DU must complete the process by the Tuition Exchange priority deadline of January 15. 

Are transfer students eligible at DU? 
Transfer students are generally not eligible for Tuition Exchange at DU but may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Are there restrictions on majors or other aid at DU? 
Yes. At DU, students majoring in Music or receiving athletic scholarships are not eligible for Tuition Exchange. Student-athletes without athletic scholarships may be considered. Students must be enrolled full-time to receive the award. 

What does a Tuition Exchange scholarship cover at DU? 
The scholarship covers tuition only, up to the standard Tuition Exchange set rate published annually. Tuition Exchange does not cover fees, housing, books, or other educational expenses. 

What happens to DU merit scholarships if a student receives Tuition Exchange? 
If a student is selected for a Tuition Exchange award at DU, any DU merit scholarship and residence hall grant, if applicable, will be canceled and replaced by the Tuition Exchange scholarship. 

Can students receive other financial aid in addition to Tuition Exchange? 
Yes. Students may receive federal and state aid such as Pell Grant, SEOG, Colorado Student Grant, Work-Study, and federal student loans with completion of the FAFSA. Students may also be eligible for certain institutional or departmental scholarships and the DU Educational Grant, subject to tuition limits. Total tuition-only awards may not exceed the cost of tuition. 

What are the academic and enrollment requirements? 
Students must remain enrolled full-time, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, and remain continuously enrolled during eligible terms. 

How long is the Tuition Exchange award renewable? 
At DU, Tuition Exchange awards are renewable for up to 12 academic quarters or until completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first. 

What happens if the DU employee leaves employment? 
If the employee retires, resigns, or otherwise separates from DU, Tuition Exchange eligibility ends at the conclusion of the academic term in which employment ends. DU may consider substitute funding equivalent to the Tuition Exchange award on a case-by-case basis. Appeals must be submitted to the DU Office of Financial Aid. 

Is a Tuition Exchange scholarship taxable? 
Generally, undergraduate scholarships that cover tuition and do not exceed the cost of tuition are not considered taxable income under IRS rules. Individual tax circumstances may vary, and DU does not provide tax advice. 

Are Tuition Exchange scholarships taxable for graduate study? 
Tuition Exchange scholarships used for graduate-level study may be taxable, depending on how the scholarship is applied and the recipient’s individual tax situation. Employees should consult a personal tax advisor or IRS guidance, including IRS Publication 970. 

Does DU report Tuition Exchange benefits as taxable income? 
DU does not report undergraduate Tuition Exchange tuition benefits as taxable income when applied directly to tuition. Graduate-level Tuition Exchange benefits may have different tax implications depending on circumstances, and participants are responsible for determining their own tax obligations. 

Who manages eligibility and compliance at DU? 
For exports, DU Human Resources verifies the employee’s eligibility and ongoing employment status. The DU Office of Financial Aid reports eligibility status and any changes through the Tuition Exchange portal to the host (importing) institution. DU pays all required Tuition Exchange export and participation fees. 

For imports, the DU Office of Financial Aid determines student eligibility, administers Tuition Exchange awards at DU, and manages reporting through the Tuition Exchange portal in coordination with Admissions. Human Resources is not responsible for employment verification for import students. 

Who should I contact with questions? 
Contact DU Human Resources at benefits@du.edu with questions regarding eligibility, applications, program administration, or appeals.