Employer Reimbursement Deferments
IMPORTANT: Our process for participating in the Employer Deferment Program has changed. Please review the information below carefully to ensure you understand these updates.
If your graduate tuition at Lehigh University is reimbursed by your employer, you may request a deferment of your tuition payment for a fee.
Payment may be deferred until the date specified by the Bursar’s Office each semester (see Payment Due Dates below) or until the date you receive reimbursement from your employer—whichever comes first.
To participate, the student must enroll in the deferment payment plan and pay the nonrefundable deferment fee EACH semester they wish to defer their tuition. The deferment fee and enrollment in the eBill Suite must be completed by the application due date for the semester (see Application Due Dates below).
Proof of benefit: To request a deferment, please select and complete the appropriate DocuSign form below, including all required student information. Proof of benefit is only required once; thereafter, the Deferment Payment Plan will automatically be available in the eBill Suite when registration is complete and charges have been posted to the student account. Students are required to set up a deferment payment plan through the eBill suite.
You may be randomly selected to verify your eligibility for tuition reimbursement with your employer.
Process: Please follow the steps below to complete your employer deferment.
1. Please select the appropriate DocuSign form for your situation. When completing the Power Form Signer Information, be sure to use your Lehigh email address.
| TYPE OF FORM | DOCUSIGN LINK |
|---|---|
a) DocuSign with PDF attachment. You will attach a letter from your company indicating that the company has a Tuition Reimbursement Policy and specifically stating that you (letter includes your name) are eligible for the tuition reimbursement benefit for the requested semester. | 26/27 Graduate Employer Deferment Form - with Attached letter (Available in May) |
| b) DocuSign to be routed to your company for approval. Once you complete the student portion of the form, the person you designate will need to complete the Company Information section of the form. Before starting the form, be sure you know the name and email address for the person within your company who can confirm your eligibility for tuition reimbursement. | 26/27 Graduate Employer Deferment Form - with Company approval (Available in May) |
2. Await approval and enrollment instructions. Once the Bursar’s office receives and approves your submitted documentation you will receive an email that the deferment payment plan will be available for enrollment on the eBill Suite when bills are generated or when registration occurs and charges are posted to the student account.
Important Information:
- Balance Adjustments: All tuition charges and credits on your account will be automatically accounted for in your plan. Adjustments to your tuition will recalculate your deferment payment plan.
- What the Payment Plan covers: The deferment payment plan covers tuition only and the student will be responsible for paying any additional fees by the payment due date or at the time of registration, whichever is sooner.
- Automatic Payments on the due date: When enrolling in the deferment payment plan, the student is scheduling their payment during enrollment in the plan. This means when setting up the payment plan, the account/method of payment that is used for enrollment, will be the account/payment method from which your scheduled payment will be withdrawn automatically on the due date. Payment is due to Lehigh University upon reimbursement by your employer or the due date, whichever is sooner. Failure to comply with the terms of the deferment will result in a late fee of $200 and the pursuit of necessary collection procedures.
- Employer Payment Received: If payment is received from your employer before the due date, you may settle your deferred tuition early. To do so, select “Pay Next Installment” in the eBill Suite and submit the full amount. This will satisfy your current installment and cancel any future scheduled payments.
- Open Learning Classes: Application due dates for open learning classes will align with the session in which the class begins. If your open learning class begins within the dates of a given session, you must follow that session’s application deadline.
Balance Due dates by semester:
SEMESTER | APPLICATION DUE DATE | APPLICATION FEE | DEFERRED TUITION PAYMENT DUE |
Summer 1, 2 & Full Session | 5 days before the session starts | $50 | October 1st |
Summer Open Learning | See the above information under Important information | $50 | October 1st |
Fall Semester | First Business Day of August | $50 | February 1st |
Spring Semester | First Business Day of January | $50 | July 1st |
Helpful Hints
- Accounts must be in good standing to use the deferment payment plan.
- If registering for classes after the Due Date listed above, the proof of benefit DocuSign form and enrollment in the deferment payment plan is due upon registration.
- Please carefully note the Deferment Payment Plan Due Date. If the auto payment is returned for any reason, students will be assessed a late fee of $200 and a returned check fee of $35 will be applied to the account, as well as a hold will be placed on the account.
- Transcripts - request your transcript right after grades post so you have no delay in your reimbursement request with your employer.