Tuition Assistance
Go Back to School and Advance Your Career
Apply for up to $5,250 per year
Step 1
Register as a Healthcare Training Fund member. We will respond within five business days.
How Much Tuition Assistance Can You Get?
Your member benefits are calculated based on your Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) – your total weekly hours compared to a full-time schedule.
FTE Status
.75 and above
Eligible to Receive
$5,250
per year
(100% of maximum benefit)
FTE Status
.5 to .74
Eligible to Receive
$3,937.50
per year
(75% of maximum benefit)
FTE Status
.49 and below
Eligible to Receive
$2,625
per year
(50% of maximum benefit)
In exchange for tuition assistance, you agree to work for a participating employer after graduation.
Your commitment is typically between one and three years, depending on the amount of funding you receive. Learn more here.
If you are a Registered Nurse bargaining unit member:
Additional funding may be available up to $3,000. Ask your navigator for details.
Use Your Tuition Assistance at Approved Colleges and Academic Programs
Tuition assistance covers programs that are healthcare-related and have been approved by the Healthcare Training Fund Board of Trustees based on workforce demand. When considering an educational pathway, please check the lists below:
If a program you want to pursue is not on the approved list, discuss your situation with your navigator.
Not sure if you are ready to go back to school? We offer career counseling to help you explore opportunities and plan your future. Connect with your navigator for more.
Apply for Tuition Assistance
Once you receive funding, stay connected with us through your navigator (who will be assigned to you). They can help you access our many support benefits like free tutoring and show you how to continue getting tuition assistance next year.
Application approved?
Now Request Your Funding
Once you have applied and received your tuition assistance, you will submit a funding request. There are two ways you can request your funding.
Vouchers
Get your tuition paid directly to your school or program. Register for your classes and then immediately submit a voucher request, and we will pay your tuition for you.
Reimbursements
Register and pay your tuition yourself, and then submit a reimbursement request to the Healthcare Training Fund. We will send you a reimbursement check.
Your navigator will walk you through all the steps for requesting and using your funding in detail.
Already receiving tuition assistance and just need a form?
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for Tuition Assistance?
Eligible members may access general tuition assistance one year from your date of hire. You can start working on your education plan before you are eligible for the tuition assistance benefit. To get started planning, talk with your navigator.
How do I get started?
Complete the member application if you have not done so already. Once you are registered, a member of our team will contact you to discuss your benefits and other resources available to you.
Does reducing my work hours below Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) mean my tuition assistance will be reduced?
If you are thinking about reducing your hours below your current FTE, consult with your navigator to understand how this will affect your benefit. It may be possible to appeal a reduction in assistance if your decision to drop your FTE is a direct result of your college program’s recommendation.
What expenses are covered by tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance covers costs for all required courses in approved programs and their prerequisite classes. This includes tuition and most required fees, and required or recommended books, software, and supplies. The Healthcare Training Fund also covers the cost of transcript evaluation fees, including international transcript evaluation, as well as standard tests and assessments required or recommended by the educational institution.
Check your plan of benefits, and contact your navigator if you have questions.
What expenses are not covered by Tuition Assistance?
Immunizations, criminal background checks, uniforms, computer equipment, parking fees, student ID fees, and late registration fees are not covered by tuition assistance. Check your plan of benefits for more information, and contact your navigator if you have questions.
Do I need to reapply every quarter to continue receiving tuition assistance?
You do not need to reapply as long as you maintain your eligibility:
- Stay enrolled in approved programs and make satisfactory progress.
- Stay in touch with your navigator to share progress and get support.
If you take a break in your education and stop receiving tuition assistance, you will need to reapply.
Can I get tuition assistance if I am a union member and work per diem?
No. Per diem employees are not eligible for tuition assistance nor any other Healthcare Training Fund benefit. Employers make contributions based on each eligible employee’s FTE status. Per diem employees don’t have FTE, and their employers don’t make contributions on their behalf, therefore they are ineligible for benefits.
Can I get tuition assistance for more than one degree program?
Yes, members may pursue more than one program depending on their career advancement goals, and provided they are working with their navigator and following their education plan. Programs must be on our approved list.
For example, a member may want to complete a surgical technician certificate, and then decide to continue their studies and earn an associate degree in nursing. Or they may complete a medical assistant associate degree and then opt to go into respiratory care. Members may enroll in as many programs as they need to meet their career goals.
Does tuition assistance cover Adult Basic Education (ABE) and college prep courses?
Yes, members who have identified these courses as part of their educational plan with their navigator may request tuition assistance for ABE, English as a Second Language (ESL), college readiness and college prep courses (such as basic math, reading, writing, English and college success courses). The Healthcare Training Fund also offers workshops to help students get ready for college-level courses.
How do I decide where to take my prerequisite classes?
The state’s community and technical colleges and public universities offer well-priced, high-quality classes with credits that are generally transferable between schools. Always check with your intended program’s academic advisor about class transferability and discuss your plan with your navigator.
Do I have to take all my prerequisite classes at one college?
No, prerequisite courses are generally transferable between schools and can usually be taken through multiple organizations. However, always check with your desired degree program’s academic adviser to make sure. Your navigator may be able to advise you as well.
How do I pick the college or school that is best for me?
Finding the best school for your particular program will take some research. Your navigator can help you with this. Questions to consider when deciding on schools include:
- Is the program accredited?
- Is your program approved by authorized state agencies (i.e. Washington State Nursing Commission)?
- What is the program’s average completion time and rate for students?
- Are the class credits earned transferable to other schools?
Please note that there are a growing number of online and for-profit schools of questionable quality, and from which our employer partners will not hire. For that reason, the Healthcare Training Fund can only provide tuition assistance to study at approved schools.
How do I pay for my tuition and books?
At most schools, tuition is due 5 to 7 business days from the date you register for classes. However, if you register on or after the first day of the quarter, tuition is usually due immediately. You may choose to have the Healthcare Training Fund pay your tuition “up front” with a voucher once you have registered for classes, or you may pay your tuition yourself and we will reimburse you. Both options are explained below.
- To have us pay your tuition for you, you will need a voucher. As soon as you are registered for classes, you should submit a funding request to the Healthcare Training Fund. Allow enough time for processing before the payment due date. Your navigator will walk you through this process. Funding request instructions are also available on our forms page.
- To be reimbursed, you will need to submit a request. If you have already paid for classes – and provided you have already been approved for tuition assistance, and are working with a navigator – you may submit your reimbursement request. Your navigator can help with questions, and directions for completing the reimbursement form are available on our forms page.
Please be aware that you are responsible for your own tuition payments. This includes submitting your prepared vouchers to your school on time. Always check with your school on due dates.
What if my books are not posted on the college bookstore website when I register?
If you registered early and the list of required books is not available, submit your funding request for tuition only. Then when the list is posted, submit a second voucher request for your books. Remember you must submit documentation showing that your books are required, recommended or optional.
What if I am on a waitlist for my classes?
You may submit a voucher request for waitlisted class tuition and fee costs, but not for books. Once you are admitted to the class, you can submit another voucher or reimbursement request for books along with your updated school schedule. If you have questions, contact your navigator.
Would applying for financial aid or other grants through my school affect my tuition assistance benefits?
It depends on the type of aid. Tuition assistance can only be used to pay for tuition, fees and books. If those costs have already been paid by another source, then you cannot also access your tuition assistance benefit. However, financial aid and other grants often cover costs outside of tuition, fees and books. If you have an award that covers additional items like living expenses, we will work with your educational institution to have your tuition assistance benefit cover tuition, books and fees, so your other award(s) can be used for expenses not covered by the Healthcare Training Fund.
What if I paid for my classes and books already? Can I get reimbursed?
If your tuition assistance has been approved, you can submit a reimbursement request for eligible expenses and we will mail you a check within 30 days of submission of all required paperwork.
The Healthcare Training Fund is able to provide up-front funding at many schools in the form of a voucher to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and books. Vouchers are ready five days after the date of submission of all required paperwork.
Is there a deadline for submitting reimbursement requests?
We recommend submitting your requests on a quarterly basis, although the annual deadline for reimbursement of costs incurred during the year is December 31. Only members who get tuition assistance can submit reimbursement requests.
For example, if you receive tuition assistance and pay for your summer quarter course on July 2, 2026, you have until December 31, 2026, to submit your reimbursement.
What should I do if I’m having trouble in my classes?
Your success is important to us. If you are experiencing difficulties in any of your classes, contact your navigator. Most commonly, members experience academic challenges that are related to balancing school, work and family. Your navigator can help you explore solutions.
What kind of tutoring is available?
Healthcare-specific tutoring is generally available at colleges. Free, one-on-one tutoring for common healthcare prerequisite classes is also available through the Healthcare Training Fund. Talk to your navigator about requesting a tutor. In addition, we offer free online tutoring with Tutor.com, which can be accessed 24/7 from any internet-enabled computer or mobile device.
Is there a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) that I have to maintain while working on my prerequisites?
The minimum GPA for all prerequisite classes is 1.9 unless your program specifies otherwise. Please remember that most healthcare programs are competitive, and applicants are selected based on their grades. These programs include nursing, radiology, and respiratory therapy. To increase chances of getting into the program of your choice, we recommend striving for the highest GPA possible.
Is there a minimum GPA once I’ve been accepted into my academic program?
The minimum GPA is established by your college program. Check with your college program advisor. Contact your navigator if you are experiencing difficulties.
Do I owe money if I fail my classes?
Yes. If you fail a class, you must reimburse the Healthcare Training Fund for the cost of the class. If you are unable to make the reimbursement, you will not be able to access Healthcare Training Fund benefits for a period of two years. If you have received a hardship withdrawal from your college, inform your navigator as you may be eligible to receive a repayment waiver.
What if I need to drop a class?
If you are experiencing difficulties in any of your classes, please contact your navigator. They will connect you with tutoring or other resources if you are experiencing challenges while in school.
Timing is everything when it comes to adding and dropping courses. The date you drop a class will affect the size of your refund from the college and even your grades — so please stay aware of deadlines.
Do I owe money if I drop my classes?
Depending on when you drop a class and the college’s refund policy, you may or may not be obligated to reimburse the Healthcare Training Fund. Withdrawal deadlines are generally found in the academic calendar on your college’s website. If you drop a class after the full refund period, you will owe the Healthcare Training Fund any amount we are obligated to pay the college for your partial enrollment. This includes any costs for tuition, books and fees.
If you are unable to make the reimbursement, then you will not be able to access Healthcare Training Fund benefits for a period of two years. If you have received a hardship withdrawal from your college, inform your navigator as you may be able to receive a repayment waiver.
Why can’t I take a class that’s not part of my program, even if I think I need it?
Classes other than those listed as prerequisites, or courses required by your program, are not covered by tuition assistance. If you would like to discuss your individual situation, contact your navigator.
Can I retake a class?
The Healthcare Training Fund will not pay for the same class twice. If you retake a class, you must pay for it yourself.