You are eligible for the Retirement & Survivor Benefit (RSB) Program if one of the three scenarios below applies to you:
You leave your employment at UBC (for any reason) after you have turned 55 and you currently have Extended Health or Dental benefits through UBC or through a comparable spousal benefits plan.
You are the surviving dependent of a UBC employee who has died at any age, and who was covered by a UBC Benefits Plan.
You are working beyond your normal retirement date and you are receiving pension benefits. If you are faculty, your normal retirement date is June 30 or December 31 on or after you turn 65; if you are staff, your normal retirement date is the last day of the month you turn 65.
Enrolling in the RSB Program and a second benefit plan
The RSB Program allows for double coverage. This means that if you are covered under your spouse’s benefit plan, you can also be enrolled in the RSB Program if your spouse’s plan allows for double coverage.
Being enrolled in two plans can allow you to coordinate your claims, to a maximum coverage of 100%. For example, if the RSB Program covers 80% of the cost of prescription drugs and your spouse’s plan covers 80%, you can claim the 80% from UBC and then claim the unpaid portion of the prescription cost from the other plan.
Dependent eligibility
Your dependents may be eligible for benefits through the RSB Program. Dependents must meet the same eligibility criteria as required by UBC Benefit Plans for employees.
If you die, your surviving dependents are eligible for coverage under the RSB Program if they decide to enrol in the program and pay the monthly premiums. Their coverage will continue until they would no longer be considered your dependent if you were still alive (definition of a dependent) or until they voluntarily leave the plan.
The Extended Health and Dental benefits offered through the UBC Retirement & Survivor Benefit (RSB) Program are different from those offered through your UBC Benefit Plans as an employee.
The table below shows some of the high-level differences between coverage under an active plan (that is, the plan for current UBC faculty and staff) and the RSB Program. Unless otherwise noted, the maximums stated are per person amounts. Please keep in mind that different employee groups receive different benefits under their active plan, making it difficult to accurately compare every benefit for every group.
Extended Health Plan
What the Plan Provides
Coverage under UBC Benefit Plan
Coverage under the RSB Program
Benefit year deductible (January 1 – December 31)
$25 per single or couple/family
(except CUPE 2950)
$1,000 per single or couple/family
Lifetime maximum
$2,000,000 per person
$200,000 per person
Travel (medical emergency coverage)
365 days per trip
90 days per trip
Vision care
Yes, but amount of coverage differs with each employee group
No
Hearing aids
Yes
No, except for dependent children
Foot orthotic inserts
Yes
No
Registered/licensed psychologists
$3,000 per benefit year
$100 per benefit year
Physiotherapists or massage therapists combined
$1,000 per benefit year
$250 per benefit year
Licensed speech therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, naturopaths, homeopaths, podiatrists or chiropodists
Combined maximum of $600 per benefit year
($500 for CUPE 2950)
$100 per benefit year for each of the following: licensed speech therapists, acupuncturists, podiatrists or chiropodists.
Combined maximum of $200 per benefit year for chiropractors or naturopaths.
No coverage for homeopaths.
Dental Plan
What the Plan Provides
Coverage under UBC Benefit Plan
Coverage under the RSB Program
Benefit year maximum reimbursement (January 1 – December 31)
None (except for CUPE 116 who have a benefit year maximum of $3,000 for all preventive, basic and major restorative procedures combined)
$1,500 per person for all services
Basic dental procedures reimbursement
100%
70%
Major dental procedures reimbursement
70%
50%
Orthodontic procedures reimbursement
65% (with a lifetime maximum of $3,000)
No
To learn more about your current active benefits, please visit our benefits plan pages.
You are responsible for paying the monthly premium rates for the Retirement & Survivors Benefits (RSB) Program.
The table below shows the monthly cost for Extended Health, Dental and the Employee and Family Assistance Program as of January 1, 2026.
If you choose to enrol in Extended Health, you must ensure that you are also covered under a provincial health plan (such as MSP) as well.
These rates are reviewed annually and may change on January 1st of each year. Changes to premiums are calculated based on past claim costs and to account for ongoing inflation.
Rates as of Jan. 1, 2026
Single
Couple
Family
Extended Health*
$104.58
$209.16
$209.16
Dental*
$66.20
$132.40
$196.68
Employee & Family Assistance Program
$4.00
$4.00
$4.00
*Members living in Ontario or Quebec are subject to provincial Retail Sales Tax (RST) on Extended Health and Dental premiums (8% ON, 9% QC).
Medical Services Plan
The Medical Services Plan (MSP) is the BC provincial government’s medical insurance plan and is administered by Health Insurance BC. All eligible BC residents and their dependents must enrol in MSP, which pays for the medically required services of physicians and surgeons, hospital services, as well as dental and oral surgery when it is medically required to be performed in a hospital.
As previously announced by the BC Ministry of Health, BC residents will no longer be charged monthly MSP premiums. For this reason, UBC will no longer administer a group MSP plan for those enrolled in the RSB Program effective January 1, 2020.
The MSP program administered by Health Insurance BC (HIBC) will continue to provide provincially insured health care benefits for eligible BC residents.
Selection committees can use this guide to assist in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting the best candidate for tenure and tenure-track faculty positions.
Getting it right on recruitment
Follow these guidelines to ensure a selection process that's bias-free, that complies with federal government regulations on hiring foreign academics, and which avoids potential complaints about human rights and privacy violations.
Before you start recruiting
Taking a look at your immediate and future needs and establishing effective criteria for candidate selection are vital to the recruitment process
Needs and equity considerations
Analyze your unit’s immediate and future needs, referring to UBC's strategic plan Shaping UBC’s Next Century and your faculty and department unit plan.
Determine the diversity of faculty presently in your unit. Are members of the groups designated in Policy HR10 – Employment Equity – visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, persons with minority sexual orientations and gender identity – represented at all levels of employment? As part of the hiring plan, the unit should review their faculty’s equity plan to ensure consistency with the Faculty’s equity programs and strategies.
Criteria considerations
Establish objective, measurable criteria, such as education and experience, which will help determine a candidate’s chances for success in a specific position.
Consider criteria such as the ability to work with diverse students and colleagues, or experience with a variety of teaching methods and curricular perspectives.
Weigh the criteria in terms of their relative importance. Review the selection committee guidelines from your Dean’s Office and from UBC's Resources for Hiring Committees to assist in planning and implementing best hiring practices.
Preparing the advertisement
UBC has specific guidelines around recruiting ads, including the need for inclusive language and transparency around hiring criteria.
Note especially that all advertisements must include the following: “UBC hires on the basis of merit and is committed to employment equity. We encourage all qualified persons to apply. Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.”
Prepare the advertisement using inclusive language in order not to exclude designated employment equity group members: it's suggested that you use language of Policy HR11 – Employment Advertising.
Objective measurable criteria
To attract and secure the best possible candidate, use the objective measurable criteria established earlier when listing qualifications in your advertisements.
For example, if your department knows it will not consider candidates for a position unless they have 10 years of experience, that requirement should be spelled out in the advertisement. As well, your department should use phrases like “demonstrable excellence” in teaching or research to establish the qualifications for the position.
Note especially that in the event you may need to hire a non-Canadian, you must explain why Canadian applicants did not meet the advertised qualifications.
Ad approval from your Dean
Send the advertisement to your Dean for review. Once the ad and position are approved the position will need to be entered in Workday and will be reviewed by Faculty Relations/Human Resources and the Provost's office for final review of the position.
Although all vacancies must be advertised, use proactive recruitment to encourage qualified applicants, such as contacting colleagues at other universities.
List serves and professional associations may also provide free advertising opportunities. Implement and document any proactive recruitment strategies used during advertising as part of your unit’s development of successful strategies for broad recruitment. Examples can be found on the Sample Hiring Checklist and Recruitment Plan (pdf).
Selection committee requirements
Selection committees should be diverse and keenly aware of their roles.
Selection committee checklist
Take steps to ensure the following:
Selection committee chair and members understand their roles in the selection process and their roles as representatives of the University.
Committee members understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and aren't in any conflict of interest, such as personal relationships. See Policy SC3 – COI.
Members of employment-equity groups are included on selection committees. If your unit doesn't have designated-group members, consider inviting a member from a related department to assist in the selection process.
All panel members are available to interview all candidates in order to ensure that each candidate is given an equal opportunity to demonstrate their suitability for the position.
All members of the interview team are familiar with competency-based interviewing. In competency-based interviewing, candidates are encouraged to use actual examples from their work-related situations that demonstrate the required skills and core competencies.
All members of the interview team are aware of ways human rights legislation affects the questions they may ask.
Ensure broad input from diverse viewpoints to the selection committee, particularly when the committee is small. Broad input is recommended at the stages of short listing, interviewing and selection of successful candidate(s). UBC’s Faculty Collective Agreement (Part 4: Conditions of Appointment for Faculty) indicates consultation through standing committees.
Keep a factual record of the recruitment and selection process. Include copies of advertisements as well as descriptions of special measures to recruit members of the designated groups. Should human rights groups or government agencies inquire about your recruitment and selection procedures, you may be required to produce evidence that your hiring process was fair. Records must be kept for a period of one year from the time of the interview and should be filed in a secure place. In addition, if the successful candidate is a foreign academic, records must be kept for six years from date of hire.
Be aware that employers may legally discriminate against candidates on the basis of “bona fide occupational requirements” (BFORs), but these occupational requirements must be applied in good faith and relate objectively to candidates’ ability to perform essential aspects of a specific position. BFORs must be applied consistently to all candidates.
To track the success of your proactive recruitment in attracting equity groups to your applicant pool(s), your unit (or faculty) should implement an applicant employment equity survey. Tracking applicant pools before deadlines will inform the search committee of its success of proactive recruitment strategies and any needs to alter its strategies.
Canadian/resident candidates vs. foreign academics
In the event you may need to hire a foreign academic, you must explain why Canadian and permanent resident applicants didn't meet the advertised qualifications.
If your department knows it will not consider candidates for a position unless they have 10 years of experience, for example, that requirement should be spelled out in the advertisement. As well, your department should use phrases like “demonstrable excellence” in teaching or research to establish the qualifications for the position.
Evaluate each application against established criteria, and prior to interviewing shortlisted candidates, develop a set of questions based on job-related criteria.
Screening applications
Review and evaluate each application against the previously established criteria that are job-relevant, objective, and measurable.
Establish your short list of candidates based on those who meet the minimum advertised qualifications. From this pool, derive your interview shortlist. Departments must be able to document and justify the way in which they developed the short list.
Ensure that you don't unreasonably exclude applicants who have qualifications or experience acquired in non-traditional ways; rather, look for diversity in background, experience, and research.
Ensure that you do not unreasonably exclude part-time and sessional faculty from the search process, given that women and visible minority faculty may be more represented in these ranks.
If members of employment equity groups don't make it to the shortlist, review the applications to ensure the list doesn't reflect bias. For example, stereotypical assumptions about the importance of an uninterrupted work record may disadvantage women, persons with disabilities, or recent immigrants. Ask yourself: is an uninterrupted work record a valid test of a candidate’s ability to meet the requirements of a position?
UBC is required to supply the number of Canadian/Permanent Resident applicants and the number of foreign applicants to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. As such you will need to pose the following question to applicants who have not identified their legal entitlement to work in Canada: “As priority is given to Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents, could you advise of whether you are a Canadian citizen or a Canadian permanent resident?”
Before approval of the shortlist, the Faculty (Dean’s office) will review and discuss the shortlist with your unit regarding your documented recruitment efforts in context of applicant pool and availability data.
Keep applicants informed as to the progress of the search, either by email, letter, or website.
Interviewing candidates
Prior to the interview, develop a set of questions based on job-related criteria and ask all candidates, including internal ones, the same questions. For example, if the job requires travel, don't ask candidates to describe their family responsibilities. Ask all candidates – men and women alike – if they're available to travel. In this way you can make valid comparative judgments.
Ask questions that relate directly to the BFORs of the position and avoid questions relating to protected human rights grounds, such as sex, ancestry, disability or sexual orientation. For guidelines on questions employers may ask to gather information that relates to ability to do the job, review What May I Ask? (pdf) and A Guide to Screening and Selection in Employment. (pdf)
Ensure that questions assess criteria that can be evaluated objectively.
Be aware that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) allows selection committees to consider “fit” when evaluating applicants. “Fit” refers to a candidate’s ability to make a positive contribution to the departmental environment. Committees must ensure that “fit” is not used inappropriately to indulge personal biases or to discriminate against candidates from groups protected by human rights legislation.
Schedule the candidates’ presentations so that all voting committee members can attend. Should committee members miss meetings or presentations, ensure that there are notes or tapes that enable them to stay informed. Interview arrangements are coordinated by the Department.
Remember that candidates are also making decisions about UBC. Be prepared to arrange meetings between candidates and campus resources, such as, at the Vancouver campus, First Nations House of Learning, and UBC Access and Diversity, and at the Okanagan Campus, resources identified by the Equity Advisor. Candidates may also wish to be put in touch with UBC's housing and relocation team to better understand the university’s provisions for new faculty.
Be aware that UBC has an Equipment Accommodation Fund to provide adaptive equipment for employees with disabilities.
Ensure conversations and written communications with applicants do not depart from UBC’s policies and the UBC-UBC Faculty Association collective agreements.
Provide all candidates with information on opportunities available to new faculty, such as research and housing grants, and mentoring programs.
Human rights legislation prohibits both intentional and unintentional discrimination. Keep in mind that the legality of the selection process does not rest upon your intentions, but rather upon the consistency with which you treat the candidates and the types of questions you ask them.
Review the equity/diversity orientation materials and develop consistent methods with broad input on the candidates based on the selection criteria. Ensure that this input is available to the selection and departmental standing committees.
Identifying the successful candidate
The voting process
Request a meeting of eligible members of the department to identify the successful candidate and vote per the Faculty Collective Agreement (Part 4: Conditions of Appointment for Faculty).
Any new tenure stream appointment without tenure requires only one round of voting, for which all tenure stream faculty are eligible to participate.
Any new tenure stream appointment with tenure requires two rounds of voting: one for the appointment at the advertised rank (all tenure stream faculty are eligible to vote) and another for tenure.
Applicants, reference checks and offers
If the selection committee includes members that aren't voting, ensure that the selection committee’s process and recommendations are clearly communicated to the departmental standing committee.
Offer positions to citizens and permanent residents of Canada before offering them to foreign candidates if qualified and meet the selection criteria.
Whether interviewed or not, all unsuccessful applicants must be told in writing that they were unsuccessful prior to the public announcement of the hire. Be prepared to give detailed reasons for the rejection of all Canadian and permanent resident applicants.
Perform a thorough reference check of the successful candidate by telephone. Note that you should only contact references provided by the candidate unless you have sought the candidate’s permission to contact others or unless the candidate is currently employed with UBC or was previously employed by the university.
Before making a formal offer to a successful candidate the Head/Director must seek approval of the offer from the Dean.
Be willing to restart a search process if you don't find an excellent candidate.
Make a conditional offer in writing to the successful candidate. Avoid suggestions that UBC’s policies are a mere formality, lack significance, or will not present a barrier to the appointment. We encourage you to use the offer letter templates.
The Department provides the appointment package to the Dean. Upon the Dean’s recommendation, the appointment is then entered in Workday and moves through the online review and approvals.
b) The Senior Appointments Committee Recommendation (if applicable)
Recommendations at the rank of Associate Professor, Professor, Associate Professor of Teaching and Professor of Teaching must be forwarded to the Senior Appointments Committee (SAC) (See The Guide to Promotion and Tenure Procedures at UBC for details) via Faculty Relations at the Vancouver campus and the Deputy Vice Chancellor at the Okanagan campus. Faculty Relations at the Vancouver campus will coordinate with SAC on all recommendations. SAC recommends appointments to the President who then decides for or against appointments.
c) Foreign Academic Package
For the appointment of all foreign academics, specific immigration-related documents must be forwarded to Faculty Relations (Vancouver campus) or Human Resources (Okanagan campus). Please ensure you review the information on the Foreign Academics Recruitment Page and ensure you are adhering to the recordkeeping requirements and that all necessary documentation is forwarded to Faculty Relations/Human Resources as early as possible.
As per Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations, recruitment records for foreign nationals must be kept on file for 6 years from date of hire.
Please note that Section 9 provides a snapshot of the appointment process and does not contain all of the administrative details. If you require more information about the appointment process, please contact:
This section describes how to submit a claim and be reimbursed for expenses associated with your Retirement & Survivor Benefits Program.
To submit an Extended Health or Dental claim online
Filing your claims online via mysunlife.ca or the my Sun Life mobile app is the most efficient way to process your claim, and in most cases, you will receive payment sooner. Please keep your original receipts after submitting your claim, in case you are audited.
The Sun Life mobile app includes a photo submission feature for uploading receipts and doctor’s referrals if required and the reason why more claims can be submitted over the app versus mysunlife.ca.
The following claims can be submitted online:
Expense
mysunlife.ca
Sun Life mobile app
Prescription drugs
Y
Y
Paramedical services:
Acupuncturist
Chiropodist
Chiropractor
Massage therapist*
Naturopath
Physiotherapist
Podiatrist
Psychologist*
Speech therapist
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Medical equipment/supplies and services:
Nurse
Ambulance
Diabetic Supplies
Medical Equipment and Supplies
Hearing Aid and Supplies
Hospitalization
Laboratory/Diagnostic Services
Custom-made Orthopaedic Shoes
Prosthesis
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
Dental**
Y
Y
*Your first claim for massage and/or psychological services cannot be submitted online because a doctor’s note must accompany the claim. Submit the first claim by using Sun Life’s mobile app (you can submit the note with their photo submission feature) or by paper. A doctor’s referral is required every 12 months.
** With the exception of claims for bridges, crowns, dentures, dental accidents and all preauthorizations.
To submit an Extended Health or Dental claim online:
Login to mysunlife.ca or my Sun Life mobile app using your Access ID. If you don’t have an Access ID, click on “Register now” at mysunlife.ca or contact Sun Life at 1-800-361-6212 to sign up.
Select “my claims”.
Select the particular e-claim you wish to submit (for example, prescribed drug e-claim, paramedical e-claim, dental e-claim, etc.).
Complete the information requested and submit it online.
To submit an Extended Health or Dental claim by mail
To make a claim for an expense under your Extended Health or Dental plans:
Download and print the relevant form from the Sun Life Members Website or from the Forms page.
Complete the form.
Make a copy of the completed form and your original medical receipts for your medical expenses.
Mail the completed form and attached original receipts directly to the nearest Sun Life claims office listed on page 2 of the claim form.
Have your dentist or healthcare provider to submit the claim on your behalf
In some cases, your healthcare provider can submit the claim on your behalf. This includes claims for dental services, as well as for vision care and paramedical services if your provider is registered with Express Scripts Canada.
*While your dentist or healthcare provider may submit the claim on your behalf to Sun Life, reimbursement will occur as follows depending on your dentist/provider:
You pay your dentist/provider the full amount of the service and Sun Life will reimburse you for the amount covered by the Extended Health and/or Dental plan.
You pay your dentist/provider the amount not covered by the Extended Health and/or Dental plan and Sun Life will reimburse the dentist/provider for the balance.
Use your pay-direct card for prescription drugs
When you purchase prescription drugs from a pharmacy, use your Sun Life pay-direct drug card and the pharmacy will charge you only for the amounts not covered by the plan. When you pay this way, you do not need to submit a claim to Sun Life for reimbursement.
If you don’t have your pay-direct card with you or have not yet received your card from Sun Life after you submit your enrolment forms, pay the full price for your prescription. You can then submit your claim to Sun Life.
Submitting a claim for out-of-province/country emergency medical care
Please see the Claims page for detailed information on how to submit a claim for your out-of-province or out-of-country medical care expenses
This section describes the eligibility criteria for each of the following employee groups: BCGEU Okanagan, CUPE 116, CUPE 2278 – English Language Instructors (CUPE 2278 Teaching Assistants are not eligible for this benefit), CUPE 2950, Executive Administrative, Farm Workers and IUOE 115.
You must meet the eligibility criteria for your employee group to qualify for the Tuition Waiver.
If you are enrolling in a credit course, you must also meet UBC’s student admission requirements. Contact Enrolment Services at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus to confirm that you meet these requirements.
You can take UBC Extended Learning courses as well as Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies approved non-credit courses. These courses may be taken by employees who do not have academic prerequisites. This benefit will only cover the tuition fees.
BCGEU Okanagan
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 17.5 hours per week.
If you are a Sessional BCGEU Okanagan employee, you are eligible if the start day of the course is not during your layoff period.
You must continue to meet the eligibility criteria to be entitled to this benefit. For example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
If you are a Temporary or Auxiliary employee, you are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver.
However, if you transfer to a regular staff position, you will become immediately eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you have been employed for at least three months in your previous position.
CUPE 116
If you are a regular employee paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 20 hours per week.
If you are a regular employee paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed three months of accumulated service and
have worked at least 20 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date. This is equivalent to 240 hours over the three-month (or 13-week) period.
If you are an auxiliary employee
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed 12 months of accumulated service and
are normally scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for the 12-month period leading to the course start date.
If your hours fall below 20 hours per week, you are eligible if you:
have satisfied the waiting period,
have worked 960 hours in the most recent semi-annual benefits eligibility review, and
have not been laid off or resigned from your job.
Auxiliary employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria yearly on an annual basis or you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
The semi-annual benefits eligibility review covers either the 12-month period of January to December or July to June. If you meet the requirements, you are then eligible for benefits, including tuition waiver, for 12 months, at which point your eligibility will be reviewed again.
If you are a permanent Aquatic Centre employee
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed your probationary period
CUPE 2278 – English language instructors
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you are English Language Instructor and you have worked for a qualifying period of six months in the CUPE 2278 bargaining unit.
CUPE 2950
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 17.5 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed three months of accumulated service and
have worked at least 17.5 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date. This is equivalent to 227.5 hours over the three-month (or 13-week) period.
Both monthly and hourly employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
If you are a Sessional or Temporary employee
CUPE 2950 Sessional and Temporary employees are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver. If you are a Hiring Solutions hourly employee and have worked 1800 hours, please contact Hiring Solutions to see if you are eligible for Tuition Waiver. All other Hiring Solutions hourly employees are not eligible.
However, if you transfer to a regular staff position, you will become immediately eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you have been employed for at least three months in your previous position.
Executive administrative
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 17.5 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed three months of accumulated service and
have worked at least 17.5 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date. This is equivalent to 227.5 hours over the three-month (or 13-week) period.
If you are a Hiring Solutions hourly employee
You are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver. However, if you transfer to a regular staff position, you are immediately eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you have been employed for at least three months in your previous position.
Both monthly and hourly employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
Farm workers
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 20 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed three months of accumulated service and
have worked at least 20 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date. This is equivalent to 260 hours over the three-month (or 13-week) period.
Both monthly and hourly employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
IUOE 115
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 18 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
have completed 12 months of accumulated service and
are normally scheduled to work at least 18 hours per week for the 12-month period before the course start date.
If your hours fall below 18 hours per week, you can remain eligible for this benefit if you:
have met the 12-month accumulated service requirement,
worked 960 hours in the 12 months before the course start date, and
have not been laid off or resigned from your job.
Both monthly and hourly employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
When am I not eligible for the tuition waiver?
You are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver if the start date of your course is:
after your termination date,
before your qualifying period is complete,
during a period in which you have been laid off,
during an unpaid leave, or
during a medical leave without pay. However, if you are receiving benefit payments through the Disability Benefit Plan, you are eligible for the Tuition Waiver while you are receiving DBP benefits.
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver during a paid leave, such as a maternity/parental leave.
What courses are covered?
Eligible courses include:
UBC undergraduate-level courses numbered 100-199, 200-299, 300-399 and 400-499
UBC undergraduate-level courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law and Dentistry)
UBC Extended Learning and Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies approved non-credit courses, including non-credit courses required for completion of certificate program (non-cohort certificate program)
Tuition waiver anniversary date
The start of your 12-month tuition year begins on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. This is the date of the first course or program that you apply your Tuition Waiver towards.
If your first course is an undergraduate course: Your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is the first day of the term in which the course/program falls. For example, if your first course covered by the Tuition Waiver begins on September 5, with the term beginning on September 1, your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is September 1 of each year. This means that you have from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year to register in and begin your courses, up to the annual maximum.
If your first course/program is a non-credit course/program: Your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is the first day of the course/program. For example, if the first course you take starts on November 22, your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is November 22 of each year. This means that you have from November 22 of one year to November 21 of the following year to register in and begin your courses, up to the annual maximum.
How much am I eligible for?
Your annual maximum will renew each year on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. Your annual maximum renews each year on the anniversary of your Tuition Waiver. Unused amounts do not carry over to the following year.
If you start your anniversary year taking:
Your annual maximum
Comments
undergraduate credit course
$2,431.68
12 undergraduate credits at $202.64 per credit
The amount will be higher for undergraduate credit courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Law, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
non-credit course
$2,431.68
dollar equivalent of 12 undergraduate credits
The amounts in the table above apply to domestic students (effective May 1, 2025). International students are charged international tuition fees and as of May 1, 2017 these fees are covered under by the Tuition Waiver. Refer to the current UBC Academic Calendar for international tuition fees.
What costs are not covered by the tuition waiver?
The Tuition Waiver does not cover the following:
Any non-refundable deposit for undergraduate courses that are paid before registration.
Application and student fees.
Tuition fees covered by funding that is not repayable, such as scholarships and prizes, sponsorship by a third party, bursaries and grants.
International undergraduate tuition fees incurred prior to May 1, 2017. However, you can apply for tuition waivers up to the domestic undergraduate or graduate tuition amount for these courses/programs.
Graduate credit courses and programs.
UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies cohort certificate programs (a cohort certificate program is taken as a single program, as opposed to a non-cohort certificate program that is taken course by course).
Administration fees for certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Courses and programs that are not UBC undergraduate or graduate credit courses.
Non-credit courses and programs that are not UBC Extended Learning.
Sauder School of Business courses and programs, including but not limited to Executive Education, Summer Programs, Real Estate, Business Families, Ch’nook, Aboriginal Business, Diploma in Accounting and Diploma in Marketing and Sales. (Exceptions include Sauder School Continuing Business Studies approved courses and programs that were previously offered by UBC Extended Learning).
UBC MOOC courses offered by edX.
Courses offered by other institutions (including the Open University).
Botanical Gardens or UBC Recreation courses, listed in the UBC Extended Learning calendar.
UBC-sponsored courses through Human Resources.
Paying student fees and opting out of the Student Health Plan
Student fees are not covered by the Tuition Waiver. You must pay these student fees.
As a registered student taking UBC credit courses, you are automatically enrolled in and charged for the UBC AMS/GSS Health Plan (UBC Vancouver) or the UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan). You can opt out of the respective Student Health Plan if you are covered by another benefit plan, such as the UBC Extended Health and Dental Plan.
Some or all of your 12 undergraduate course credits can be transferred to your spouse or children, as long as they qualify as eligible dependents. The Tuition Waiver cannot be transferred to your eligible dependents for non-credit courses.
You can transfer the Tuition Waiver to your legal spouse, common-law spouse or partner of the same sex. At any one time, only one person may be claimed as your spouse or partner.
You can also transfer the Tuition Waiver to your dependent child if they are:
unmarried,
under the age of 25, and
in full-time attendance at UBC, and
substantially dependent on you for financial support at the start of the session to which the Tuition Waiver applies.
Auxiliary employees who are eligible for the Tuition Waiver benefit may be eligible to transfer the Waiver to an eligible spouse or child provided they have worked 960 hours in the most recent semi-annual benefits review and have not been laid off nor terminated their employment.
How and when do I apply?
You will need a valid UBC student number to enrol for courses.
You should submit the Tuition Waiver application before tuition payments are normally due. If you submit your Tuition Waiver application after the tuition payment deadline, you will be charged late fees and/or interest that will not be covered by the Tuition Waiver.
Please remember that the non-refundable deposit you must pay before registration is not covered by the Tuition Waiver.
The application process depends on whether you are enrolling in:
an undergraduate or graduate credit course or graduate program, or
a UBC Extended Learning or an approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or certificate program.
To register in an undergraduate or graduate credit course:
Register for the course(s) that you (or your spouse or dependent child) wish to apply your Tuition Waiver against. Once registered, do not pay for the course. Please note, you must either be a UBC alumni having earned a UBC degree or apply to an applicable program by the required deadlines and be admitted before you are eligible to register.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid by the deadline specified in the UBC Academic Calendar.
To register in a UBC Extended Learning or approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or program:
To register for a non-credit course, complete a Tuition Waiver through your Workday account ideally at least three days prior to the course start date. For step-by-step instructions for applying for the Tuition Waiver search the Knowledge Base or contact the Integrated Service Centre. You do not need to register separately with Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business or pay in advance. You will need to complete one waiver for each course in each term.
Your application will be approved instantly (in most cases) and sent to Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business the following day.
Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will enrol you in the course (space permitting) and will contact you to confirm your enrollment.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid upon confirmation of enrollment. You are not registered in the course until UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business receives payment in full.
If you are wanting to complete a Tuition Waiver for a course on or after the course start date, contact Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to confirm if you can attend first. Then, create a ticket through the Service Now Self Service Portal to have the waiver created on your behalf. Provide the following information in your ticket:
Complete course code
Course name and start date
Employee number.
If you have already paid for a non-credit course, first contact Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to confirm if a refund can be issued before submiting a tuition waiver for that same course.
To make changes to your submitted application:
Waivers for UBC Extended Learning and Sauder Continuing Business Studies courses cannot be modified through Workday. Once you submit a waiver for a course, UBC Extended Learning registers you in that course. If you wish to cancel a course, please contact UBC Extended Learning and Sauder Continuing Business Studies.
How do I withdraw from a course?
Undergraduate or graduate credit course or graduate program:
If you (or your dependent) withdraw from a course before the deadline to do so without a “W” (withdrawal) standing, you can cancel your waiver online and have your tuition credits reinstated. For step-by-step instructions on cancelling the Tuition Waiver search the Knowledge Base or contact the Integrated Service Centre.
If you withdraw after the deadline, you will not be able to cancel the Tuition Waiver. The Tuition Waiver will be used to pay for the cost of the course and your Tuition Waiver credits will be reduced as if you took the course.
UBC Extended Learning or approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or program:
If you withdraw from a course or certificate program, please contact UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to cancel your Tuition Waiver application at least three business days before the start of the course. Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will then notify Financial Operations – Payroll to cancel the waiver, less any cancellation fees. Please see either the Extended Learning course calendar or Sauder School of Business website for full information on specific refund policies. Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will also ask that you return the receipt for the course.
Is this a taxable benefit?
Fees for credit courses
If you are taking the course, the Tuition Waiver is a non-taxable benefit. If you have transferred your Tuition Waiver to a dependent, this is considered a taxable benefit for your dependent and UBC Enrolment Services will issue a T4A slip for your dependent at year-end.
If your dependent meets certain criteria, they may be able to exclude the amount from income on their income tax and benefit return.
Fees for non-credit courses
The fees for most non-credit courses that are unrelated to work are a taxable benefit and the amount of tuition will be included in Box 40 of your T4 slip at year-end.
For a non-credit course to be considered non-taxable, your Supervisor must authorize that the course is related to your work. The online system automatically recognizes some non-credit courses to be work-related and non-taxable.
If there is a question as to the taxability of the non-credit course:
you will be prompted to enter your Supervisor’s email during the online Tuition Waiver application process and
your Supervisor will then receive an email from UBC Financial Services asking for their authorization that the non-credit course is related to your work (i.e., non-taxable). Your non-credit course will be considered taxable until your Supervisor provides authorization to UBC Financial Services.
If your non-credit course is unrelated to work, you do not need to provide your Supervisor’s email and the tuition will be considered a taxable benefit.
All credit courses are non-taxable, so your Supervisor does not need to provide authorization.
Questions?
If you have general questions about tuition waivers or your eligibility, please contact UBC Benefits. If you have submitted a tuition waiver application, and have questions about the processing, please contact the Integrated Service Centre.
The Tuition Waiver covers the cost of tuition for up to 12 credits of undergraduate courses, 12 credits of graduate courses or graduate program fees (up to the normal program fee) over a 12-month period, provided that a fee-paying student is not displaced. This benefit covers tuition fees only and does not cover any other fees that may be associated with the course. You can also use the dollar-equivalent of 12 undergraduate credits to waive the tuition of UBC Extended Learning courses, Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies approved non-credit courses and certificate programs.
Tuition Waivers can be used at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
BC residents who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada aged 65 and older can register directly with Student Services for courses with full waivers for application, tuition and student fees. In this situation, you do not need to submit a Tuition Waiver.
Am I eligible for the tuition waiver?
This section describes the eligibility criteria for each of the following employee groups: Administrative Executive, Management & Professional and Non-Union Technicians and Research Assistants. You must meet the eligibility criteria for your employee group to qualify for the Tuition Waiver.
If you are enrolling in a credit course, you must also meet UBC’s student admission requirements. Contact Enrolment Services at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus to confirm that you meet these requirements. For admission to graduate-level courses or a graduate program, contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus.
You can take UBC Extended Learning courses as well as Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies approved non-credit courses and programs. These courses may be taken by employees who do not have academic prerequisites; however, for certificate programs, please check with UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies about any necessary prerequisites. This benefit will only cover the tuition fees. Administration fees for certificate programs are not covered.
Administrative executive
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you have worked for a qualifying period of three months and are working at least 17.5 hours per week. You must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
Management & professional
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
Have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
Have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 17.5 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
Have completed three months of accumulated service and
Have a full-time position or a part-time position of at least 17.5 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date.
Both monthly and hourly employees must continue to meet the eligibility criteria: for example, if you switch to a part-time position below the minimum number of hours, you will no longer qualify for the benefit.
Non-union technicians and research assistants
If you are paid monthly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
Have worked for a qualifying period of three months and
Have a full-time position or part-time position of at least 20 hours per week.
If you are paid hourly
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if you:
Have completed three months of accumulated service and
Have a full-time position or a part-time position of at least 20 hours per week for the three-month period before the course start date. This is equivalent to 260 hours for the three-month (or 13-week) period before the course start date.
When am I not eligible for the tuition waiver?
You are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver if the start date of your course is:
After your termination date,
Before your qualifying period is complete,
During a period in which you have been laid off,
During an unpaid leave, or
During a medical leave without pay. However, if you are receiving benefit payments through the Disability Benefit Plan (DBP), you are eligible for the Tuition Waiver while you are receiving DBP benefits.
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver during a paid leave, such as a maternity/parental leave.
What courses are covered?
You can use the Tuition Waiver for the following:
UBC undergraduate-level courses numbered 100-199, 200-299, 300-399 and 400-499
UBC undergraduate-level courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law and Dentistry)
UBC Extended Learning and Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies approved non-credit courses and certificate programs
UBC graduate-level courses numbered 500-699
UBC graduate program fees (up to the normal program fee)
Tuition waiver anniversary date
The start of your 12-month tuition year begins on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. This is the date of the first course or program that you apply your Tuition Waiver towards.
If your first course is an undergraduate/graduate course: Your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is the first day of the term in which the course/program falls. For example, if your first course covered by the Tuition Waiver begins on September 5, with the term beginning on September 1, your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is September 1 of each year. This means that you have from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year to register in and begin your courses, up to the annual maximum.
If your first course/program is a non-credit course/program: Your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is the first day of the course/program. For example, if the first course you take starts on November 22, your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is November 22 of each year. This means that you have from November 22 of one year to November 21 of the following year to register in and begin your courses, up to the annual maximum.
How much am I eligible for?
Your annual maximum will renew each year on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. Your annual maximum renews each year on the anniversary of your Tuition Waiver. Unused amounts do not carry over to the following year.
If you start your anniversary year taking:
Your annual maximum
Comments
Undergraduate credit course
$2,431.68
12 undergraduate credits at $202.64 per credit
The amount will be higher for undergraduate credit courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Law, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
Non-credit course or certificate program
$2,431.68
Dollar equivalent of 12 undergraduate credits
Graduate credit course
$5,728.92
12 graduate credits at $477.41 per credit
Full-time doctoral graduate program
Years 1, 2 and 3
$5,626.02/year, 3 installments/year at $1,875.34 per installment
Years 4, 5 and 6
$2,570.28/year
Continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 6
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
Full-time masters graduate program
Years 1 and 2
$5,626.02/year, 3 installments/year at $1,875.34 per installment
Years 3, 4 and 5
$2,570.28/year
Continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 5
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
Part-time masters graduate program
Years 1, 2 and 3
$3,215.34/year, 3 installments/year at $1,071.78 per installment
Years 4 and 5
$2,570.28/year
Continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 5
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
If you use the Tuition Waiver more than once in the same anniversary year and take a different course/program than what you started the year with, your annual maximum will change to reflect the amount associated with the current course/program.
For example, if you begin your year by taking an undergraduate course and then decide to enter a full-time graduate program within the same anniversary year, your annual maximum will change from $2,431.68 to $5,626.02 (the full-time graduate program amount). Similarly, if you begin your year in a full-time graduate program and then decide to take an undergraduate course, your annual maximum would change to $2,431.68, which is the undergraduate credit course amount.
If you begin your year in a graduate program with full-time or part-time fee installments, and then within the same tuition anniversary year enter the program year where continuing fees are assessed, your annual maximum will reduce to the continuing fee. For example, if you started your tuition anniversary year on May 1 in year two of a full-time master’s program and on September 1 you entered year three of the program, your annual maximum would change from $5,626.02 to $2,570.28 (the continuing fee).
Your balance at any point in time is your annual maximum, less any amount you have used during your anniversary year.
The amounts in the table above apply to domestic students (effective May 1, 2025). International students are charged international tuition fees and as of May 1, 2017 these fees are covered under by the Tuition Waiver. Refer to the current UBC Academic Calendar for international tuition fees.
What costs are not covered by the tuition waiver?
The Tuition Waiver does not cover the following:
Any non-refundable deposit for undergraduate and graduate credit courses/programs that is paid before registration.
Tuition fees covered by funding that is not repayable, such as scholarships and prizes, sponsorship by a third party, bursaries and grants and the Graduate Support Initiative (applies to students registered in a master’s or PhD program).
Application and student fees.
Undergraduate and graduate international tuition fees incurred prior to May 1, 2017. However, you can apply for tuition waivers up to the domestic undergraduate or graduate tuition amount for these courses/programs.
Administration fees for certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Courses and programs that are not UBC undergraduate or graduate credit courses.
Non-credit courses and certificate programs that are not UBC Extended Learning.
Sauder School of Business courses and programs, including but not limited to Executive Education, Summer Programs, Real Estate, Business Families, Ch’nook, Aboriginal Business, Diploma in Accounting and Diploma in Marketing and Sales. (Exceptions include Sauder School Continuing Business Studies approved courses and programs that were previously offered by UBC Extended Learning).
UBC MOOC courses offered by edX.
Courses offered by other institutions (including the Open University).
Botanical Gardens or UBC Recreation courses, listed in the UBC Extended Learning calendar.
UBC-sponsored courses through Human Resources.
Full-time and part-time graduate programs (master’s and doctoral) that have special program fees. However, you can apply for a tuition waiver for up to the normal (full- or part-time) program fee.
Paying student fees and opting out of the Student Health Plan
Student fees are not covered by the Tuition Waiver. You must pay these student fees.
As a registered student taking UBC credit courses, you are automatically enrolled in and charged for the UBC AMS/GSS Health Plan (UBC Vancouver) or the UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan). You can opt out of the respective Student Health Plan if you are covered by another benefit plan, such as the UBC Extended Health and Dental Plan.
Some or all of your 12 undergraduate course credits can be transferred to your spouse or children, as long as they qualify as eligible dependents. The Tuition Waiver cannot be transferred to eligible dependents for graduate credit courses, graduate programs, non-credit courses nor certificate programs.
You can transfer the Tuition Waiver to your legal spouse, common-law spouse or partner of the same sex. At any one time, only one person may be claimed as your spouse or partner.
You can also transfer the Tuition Waiver to your dependent child if they are:
Unmarried,
Under the age of 25,
In full-time attendance at UBC, and
Substantially dependent on you for financial support at the start of the session to which the Tuition Waiver applies.
How and when do I apply?
You will need a valid UBC student number to enrol for courses.
You should submit the Tuition Waiver application before tuition payments are normally due. If you submit your Tuition Waiver application after the tuition payment deadline, you will be charged late fees and/or interest that will not be covered by the Tuition Waiver.
Please remember that the non-refundable deposit you must pay before registration is not covered by the Tuition Waiver.
The application process depends on whether you are enrolling in:
An undergraduate or graduate credit course or graduate program, or
A UBC Extended Learning or an approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or certificate program.
To register in an undergraduate or graduate credit course:
Register for the course(s) that you (or your spouse or dependent child) wish to apply your Tuition Waiver against. Once registered, do not pay for the course. Please note, you must either be a UBC alumni having earned a UBC degree or apply to an applicable program by the required deadlines and be admitted before you are eligible to register.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid by the deadline specified in the UBC Academic Calendar.
To register in a UBC Extended Learning or approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or program:
To register for a non-credit course, complete a Tuition Waiver through your Workday account ideally at least three days prior to the course start date. For step-by-step instructions for applying for the Tuition Waiver search the Knowledge Base or contact the Integrated Service Centre. You do not need to register separately with Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business or pay in advance. You will need to complete one waiver for each course in each term.
Your application will be approved instantly (in most cases) and sent to Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business the following day.
Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will enrol you in the course (space permitting) and will contact you to confirm your enrollment.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid upon confirmation of enrollment. You are not registered in the course until UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business receives payment in full.
If you are wanting to complete a Tuition Waiver for a course on or after the course start date, contact Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to confirm if you can attend first. Then, create a ticket through the Service Now Self Service Portal to have the waiver created on your behalf. Provide the following information in your ticket:
Complete course code
Course name and start date
Employee number.
If you have already paid for a non-credit course, first contact Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to confirm if a refund can be issued before submitting a tuition waiver for that same course.
To make changes to your submitted application:
Waivers for UBC Extended Learning and Sauder Continuing Business Studies courses cannot be modified through Workday. Once you submit a waiver for a course, UBC Extended Learning registers you in that course. If you wish to cancel a course, please contact UBC Extended Learning and Sauder Continuing Business Studies.
How do I withdraw from a course?
Undergraduate or graduate credit course or graduate program:
If you (or your dependent) withdraw from a course before the deadline to do so without a “W” (withdrawal) standing, you can cancel your waiver online and have your tuition credits reinstated. For step-by-step instructions on cancelling the Tuition Waiver search the Knowledge Base or contact the Integrated Service Centre.
If you withdraw after the deadline, you will not be able to cancel the Tuition Waiver. The Tuition Waiver will be used to pay for the cost of the course and your Tuition Waiver credits will be reduced as if you took the course.
UBC Extended Learning or approved Sauder School of Business Continuing Business Studies non-credit course or program:
If you withdraw from a course or certificate program, please contact UBC Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business to cancel your Tuition Waiver application at least three business days before the start of the course. Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will then notify Financial Operations – Payroll to cancel the waiver, less any cancellation fees. Please see either the Extended Learning course calendar or Sauder School of Business website for full information on specific refund policies. Extended Learning or Sauder School of Business will also ask that you return the receipt for the course.
Is this a taxable benefit?
Fees for credit courses
If you are taking the course, the Tuition Waiver is a non-taxable benefit. If you have transferred your Tuition Waiver to a dependent, this is considered a taxable benefit for your dependent and UBC Enrolment Services will issue a T4A slip for your dependent at year-end.
If your dependent meets certain criteria, they may be able to exclude the amount from income on their income tax and benefit return.
Fees for non-credit courses
The fees for most non-credit courses that are unrelated to work are a taxable benefit and the amount of tuition will be included in Box 40 of your T4 slip at year-end.
For a non-credit course to be considered non-taxable, your Supervisor must authorize that the course is related to your work. The online system automatically recognizes some non-credit courses to be work-related and non-taxable.
If there is a question as to the taxability of the non-credit course:
You will be prompted to enter your Supervisor’s email during the online Tuition Waiver application process and
Your Supervisor will then receive an email from UBC Financial Services asking for their authorization that the non-credit course is related to your work (i.e., non-taxable). Your non-credit course will be considered taxable until your Supervisor provides authorization to UBC Financial Services.
If your non-credit course is unrelated to work, you do not need to provide your Supervisor’s email and the tuition will be considered a taxable benefit.
All credit courses are non-taxable, so your Supervisor does not need to provide authorization.
Questions?
If you have general questions about tuition waivers or your eligibility, please contact UBC Benefits. If you have submitted a tuition waiver application, and have questions about the processing, please contact the Integrated Service Centre.
As a member of the Academic Executive or a faculty member in the Faculty Association bargaining unit, librarian or program director in UBC Extended Learning, you are eligible for:
a Tuition Waiver at UBC of up to 12 credits of undergraduate courses, 12 credits of graduate courses or graduate program fees in each 12-month period (transferable to your eligible dependent spouse effective September 1, 2023), and
The Tuition Waiver covers the cost of tuition for up to 12 credits of undergraduate courses, 12 credits of graduate courses or graduate program fees over a 12-month period, provided that a fee-paying student is not displaced. This benefit covers tuition fees only and does not cover any other fees that may be associated with the course.
Tuition Waivers can be used at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
BC residents who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada aged 65 and older can register directly with Student Services for courses with full waivers for application, tuition and student fees. In this situation, you do not need to submit a Tuition Waiver.
Am I eligible for the tuition waiver?
Your position, type of appointment and length of service determine your eligibility. You must also meet UBC’s student admission requirements. Contact Enrolment Services at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus to confirm that you meet these requirements. If you plan to take a graduate-level course or enrol in a graduate program, contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus.
Academic executives
Academic Executives are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if:
the course instructor agrees to your presence, and
there is no conflict of interest and conflict of commitment for you becoming a graduate student, as governed by Policy SC3 – COI (formerly Policy #97)
Faculty
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver if the course instructor agrees to your presence, and:
you are an active member of the Faculty Association bargaining unit with an appointment of at least one year in length at 50% time; or
you are a Sessional Lecturer with an active appointment of at least four months in length at 50% time OR hold an active appointment less than four months in length or less than 50% time and are eligible to maintain member rights for up to 24 months (as per article 4.02 of Part 7 the Collective Agreement); or
you have emeritus status and were previously a member of the Faculty Association; and
there is no conflict of interest and conflict of commitment for you becoming a graduate student, as governed by Policy SC3 – COI (formerly Policy #97); and
the course instructor agrees to your presence.
When am I not eligible for the tuition waiver?
You are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver if the start date of your course is:
after your termination date,
during an unpaid leave, or
during a medical leave without pay. However, if you are receiving benefit payments through the Income Replacement Plan (IRP), you are eligible for the Tuition Waiver while you are receiving IRP benefits.
You are eligible for the Tuition Waiver during a paid leave, such as a sabbatical or maternity/parental leave.
What courses are covered?
You can use the Tuition Waiver for the following:
UBC undergraduate-level courses numbered 100-199, 200-299, 300-399 and 400-499
UBC undergraduate-level courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law and Dentistry)
UBC graduate-level courses numbered 500-699
UBC graduate program fees up to the normal program fee
If you are uncertain whether a course is eligible for the Tuition Waiver, please contact UBC Benefits.
Tuition waiver anniversary date
The start of your 12-month tuition year begins on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. This is the date of the first course or program that you apply your Tuition Waiver towards.
Your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is the first day of the term in which the course/program falls. For example, if your first course covered by the Tuition Waiver begins on September 5, with the term beginning on September 1, your Tuition Waiver anniversary date is September 1 of each year. This means that you have from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year to register in and begin your courses, up to the annual maximum.
How much am I eligible for?
Your annual maximum will renew each year on your Tuition Waiver anniversary date. Your annual maximum renews each year on the anniversary of your Tuition Waiver. Unused amounts do not carry over to the following year.
If you start your anniversary year taking:
Your annual maximum
Comments
undergraduate credit course
$2,431.68
12 undergraduate credits at $202.64 per credit
The amount will be higher for undergraduate credit courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Law, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences)
graduate credit course
$5,728.92
12 graduate credits at $477.41 per credit
full-time doctoral graduate program
Years 1, 2 and 3
$5,626.02/year
3 installments/year at $1,875.34 per installment
Years 4, 5 and 6
$2,570.28/year
continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 6
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
full-time masters graduate program
Years 1 and 2
$5,626.02/year
3 installments/year at $1,875.34 per installment
Years 3, 4 and 5
$2,570.28/year
continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 5
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
part-time masters graduate program
Years 1, 2 and 3
$3,215.34/year
3 installments/year at $1,071.78 per installment
Years 4 and 5
$2,570.28/year
continuing fee, 3 installments/year at $856.76 per installment
After Year 5
$0
Tuition Waiver is not available
If you use the Tuition Waiver more than once in the same anniversary year and take a different course/program than what you started the year with, your annual maximum will change to reflect the amount associated with the current course/program.
For example, if you begin your year by taking an undergraduate course and then decide to enter a full-time graduate program within the same anniversary year, your annual maximum will change from $2,431.68 to $5,626.02 (the full-time graduate program amount). Similarly, if you begin your year in a full-time graduate program and then decide to take an undergraduate course, your annual maximum would change to $2,431.68, which is the undergraduate credit course amount.
If you begin your year in a graduate program with full-time or part-time fee installments, and then within the same tuition anniversary year enter the program year where continuing fees are assessed, your annual maximum will reduce to the continuing fee. For example, if you started your tuition anniversary year on May 1 in year two of a full-time master’s program and on September 1 you entered year three of the program, your annual maximum would change from $5,626.02 to $2,570.28 (the continuing fee).
Your balance at any point in time is your annual maximum, less any amount you have used during your anniversary year.
The amounts in the table above apply to domestic students (effective May 1, 2025). International students are charged international tuition fees and as of May 1, 2017 these fees are covered under by the Tuition Waiver. Refer to the current UBC Academic Calendar for international tuition fees.
What costs are not covered by the tuition waiver?
The Tuition Waiver does not cover the following:
Any non-refundable deposit for undergraduate and graduate credit courses/programs that are paid prior to registration.
Tuition fees covered by funding that is not repayable, such as scholarships and prizes, sponsorship by a third party, bursaries and grants and the Graduate Support Initiative (applies to students registered in a master’s or PhD program).
Application and student fees.
Undergraduate and graduate international tuition fees incurred prior to May 1, 2017. However, you can apply for tuition waivers up to the domestic undergraduate or graduate tuition amount for these courses/programs.
Non-credit courses and certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Administration fees for certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Courses and programs that are not UBC undergraduate or graduate credit courses.
Sauder School of Business courses and programs, such as Continuing Business Studies, Executive Education, Summer Programs, Real Estate, Business Families, Ch’nook, Aboriginal Business, Diploma in Accounting and Diploma in Marketing and Sales.
UBC MOOC courses offered by edX.
Courses offered by other institutions (including the Open University).
Botanical Gardens or UBC Recreation courses, listed in the UBC Extended Learning calendar.
UBC-sponsored courses through Human Resources.
Full-time and part-time graduate programs (master’s and doctoral) that have special program fees. However, you can apply for a tuition waiver for up to the normal (full- or part-time) program fee.
Paying student fees and opting out of the Student Health Plan
Student fees are not covered by the Tuition Waiver. You must pay these student fees.
As a registered student taking UBC credit courses, you are automatically enrolled in and charged for the UBC AMS/GSS Health Plan (UBC Vancouver) or the UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan). You can opt out of the respective Student Health Plan if you are covered by another benefit plan, such as the UBC Extended Health and Dental Plan.
Some or all of your 12 undergraduate or graduate course/program credits can be transferred to your spouse, as long as they qualify as an eligible dependent.
You can transfer the Tuition Waiver to your legal spouse, common-law spouse or partner of the same sex. At any one time, only one person may be claimed as your spouse or partner.
You will need a valid UBC student number to enrol for courses.
You should submit the Tuition Waiver application before tuition payments are normally due. If you submit your Tuition Waiver application after the tuition payment deadline, you will be charged late fees and/or interest that will not be covered by the Tuition Waiver.
Register for the course(s) that you wish to apply your Tuition Waiver against. Once registered, do not pay for the course. Please note, you must either be a UBC alumni having earned a UBC degree or apply to an applicable program by the required deadlines and be admitted before you are eligible to register.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid by the deadline specified in the UBC Academic Calendar.
After you have applied
In most cases, the Tuition Waiver will be approved instantly.
The waiver will be sent to Enrolment Services for you the following day.
Enrolment Services will process the waiver as payment (you can verify this by logging in to the UBC Student Services Centre). Processing times will vary depending on the time of year.
The procedure and cost for auditing a course is the same as taking a course for credit.
How do I withdraw from a course?
If you withdraw from a course before the deadline to do so without a “W” (withdrawal) standing, you can cancel your waiver online and have your tuition credits reinstated. Review the step-by-step instructions on cancelling a Tuition Waiver by searching for the job aid through the Knowledge Base.
If you withdraw after the deadline, you will not be able to cancel the Tuition Waiver. The Tuition Waiver will be used to pay for the cost of the course and your Tuition Waiver credits will be reduced as if you took the course.
Is this a taxable benefit?
Fees for credit courses
If you are taking the course, the Tuition Waiver is a non-taxable benefit. If you have transferred your Tuition Waiver to a dependent, this is considered a taxable benefit for your dependent and UBC Enrolment Services will issue a T4A slip for your dependent at year-end.
If your dependent meets certain criteria, they may be able to exclude the amount from income on their income tax and benefit return.
Questions about the tuition waiver?
If you have general questions about tuition waivers or your eligibility, please contact UBC Benefits. If you have submitted a tuition waiver application, and have questions about the processing, please contact the Integrated Service Centre.
Students are automatically enrolled in their post-secondary institution’s health plan, for example, UBC AMS/GSS Student Health Plan (UBC Vancouver) or UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan).
This information is for UBC faculty and staff who need information about opting out of these plans.
How to Opt Out
For faculty and staff who need to opt out of the Student Health Plan (either for yourself or on behalf of your dependent — see details below), you will need to log into Workday and save your Benefits Statement to prove there is coverage already in place. You can access, print and save a record of your benefits coverage electronically at any time by following these steps
In Workday, Go to “View Profile”
Select “Benefits” on the left navigation pane
Next, select "View as Grid" at the top of the page to display the correct information for the opt out process
Select the "Export to Excel" or "Download PDF" button in the top right corner of your Benefits summary. This will download a file that reflects your dependents and the plans they are enrolled in.
Opting out
You, your dependent child or your spouse can then request to opt out of the plan by visiting www.ihaveaplan.ca and uploading the Benefits Statement saved from Workday (when prompted for proof of coverage).
Eligible dependent children (up to the age of 25 and who are in full-time attendance in their program) or spouse who are covered under their parent’s (or spouse’s) UBC Extended Health and Dental Care plans and provide confirmation of this coverage may opt out of the UBC AMS/GSS Student Health plan (UBC Vancouver), UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan) or other post-secondary institution’s health plan.
UBC Faculty or Staff
Faculty and staff who are taking undergraduate or graduate courses and covered under the UBC Extended Health and Dental Care plans and provide confirmation of this coverage may opt out of the UBC AMS/GSS Student Health plan (UBC Vancouver) or the UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan).
If you are a member of the Faculty Association, have emeritus status or an Academic Executive, your dependent children may be eligible to have their tuition fee waived for a maximum of 120 credits of UBC undergraduate courses at UBC.
This maximum is equivalent in credits to the requirements for a standard undergraduate degree and is a lifetime maximum per dependent child. This benefit covers tuition fees only and does not cover any other fees that may be associated with each course. Tuition Waivers can be used at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
Is my child eligible for the tuition waiver?
Faculty Association members: your dependent children are eligible if you are a member of the Faculty Association and you meet the following eligibility rules:
you hold an appointment of at least one year in length at 50% time, or
you hold a Sessional Lecturer active appointment of at least four months in length at 50% time OR hold an active appointment less than four months or less than 50% and are eligible to maintain pension and benefits, or
you are a General Librarian with an appointment of more than 12 months or more than 50% time.
You must continue to be in an eligible position to remain entitled to the benefit. For example, if you were working full-time or part-time, and switch to less than 50% part-time, your dependent children are no longer eligible for the Tuition Waiver for courses after you switch.
Emeritus Faculty: if you have emeritus status (and were previously a member of the Faculty Association) your dependent children are also eligible for the Tuition Waiver.
Academic Executive: if you are a member of the Academic Executive, your dependent children are eligible for the Tuition Waiver.
Eligibility dependent children: to be eligible for the Tuition Waiver, your dependent children must also be:
unmarried,
under age 25, and
substantially dependent on you for financial support at the start of the session to which the Tuition Waiver applies (either Winter or Summer Session).
Your dependent child must meet UBC’s student admission requirements. Please contact Enrolment Services at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus to confirm that you meet these requirements.
Exclusions of eligibility
Your dependent children are not eligible for the Tuition Waiver if the start date of the course is:
after the termination date of your appointment,
during your unpaid leave, or
during your medical leave without pay. However, if you are receiving benefit payments through the Income Replacement Plan, your children are eligible for the Tuition Waiver while you are receiving IRP benefits.
Your dependent children are eligible for the Tuition Waiver during your paid leave, such as a sabbatical leave or maternity/parental leave.
What courses are covered?
Your dependent can use the Tuition Waiver for the following:
UBC undergraduate-level courses numbered 100-199, 200-299, 300-399 and 400-499
UBC undergraduate-level courses and programs with specialized fees (Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Law and Dentistry)
How much is my child eligible for?
Your child is eligible for a maximum of 120 credits of UBC undergraduate credit courses per lifetime. This maximum is equivalent in credits to the requirements for a standard undergraduate degree.
The current tuition cost is $202.64 per credit for domestic students (effective May 1, 2025). International students are charged international tuition fees and as of May 1, 2017 these fees are covered under the Tuition Waiver. Refer to the current UBC Academic Calendar for international tuition fees.
What costs are not covered by the tuition waiver?
The Tuition Waiver does not cover the following costs:
Any non-refundable deposit for undergraduate credit courses/programs that are paid prior to registration.
Graduate credit courses and programs.
Tuition fees covered by funding that is not repayable, such as scholarships and prizes, sponsorship by a third party, bursaries and grants.
Application and student fees.
International undergraduate tuition fees incurred prior to May 1, 2017. However, you can apply for tuition waivers up to the domestic undergraduate or graduate tuition amount for these courses/programs.
Non-credit courses and certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Administration fees for certificate programs offered by UBC Extended Learning.
Courses and programs that are not UBC undergraduate credit courses.
Sauder School of Business courses and programs, such as Continuing Business Studies, Executive Education, Summer Programs, Real Estate, Business Families, Ch’nook, Aboriginal Business, Diploma in Accounting and Diploma in Marketing and Sales.
UBC MOOC courses offered by edX.
Courses offered by other institutions (including the Open University).
Botanical Gardens or UBC Recreation courses, listed in the UBC Extended Learning calendar.
UBC-sponsored courses through Human Resources.
Paying student fees and opting out of the Student Health Plan
Student fees are not covered under the Tuition Waiver. You or your dependent child must pay these fees.
Registered students taking UBC credit courses are automatically enrolled in and charged for the UBC AMS/GSS Health Plan (UBC Vancouver) of the UBCSUO Student Health Plan (UBC Okanagan). Your dependent child may be eligible to opt-out of the Student Health Plan if they are covered by another benefit plan, such as the UBC Extended Health and Dental Plan (Group No. 025205).
Your child will need a valid UBC student number to enrol for courses.
You should submit the Tuition Waiver application before tuition payments are normally due. If you submit your Tuition Waiver application after the tuition payment deadline, you will be charged late fees and/or interest that will not be covered by the Tuition Waiver.
Register for the course(s) that you wish to apply your Tuition Waiver against. Once registered, do not pay for the course.
Any fees not covered by the Tuition Waiver must be paid by the deadline specified in the UBC Academic Calendar.
After you have applied
In most cases, the Tuition Waiver will be approved instantly.
The waiver will be sent to Enrolment Services for you the following day.
Enrolment Services will process the waiver as payment (you can verify this by logging in to the UBC Student Services Centre). Processing times will vary depending on the time of year.
The procedure and cost for auditing a course is the same as taking a course for credit.
How do I withdraw from a course?
If your child withdraws from a course before the deadline to do so without a “W” (withdrawal) standing, you can cancel your waiver online and have your tuition credits reinstated. Review the step-by-step instructions on cancelling a Tuition Waiver by searching for the job aid through the Knowledge Base.
If your child withdraws after the deadline, you will not be able to cancel the Tuition Waiver. The Tuition Waiver will be used to pay for the cost of the course and your Tuition Waiver credits will be reduced as if you took the course.
Is this a taxable benefit?
This is considered a taxable benefit for your dependent child, and UBC Enrolment Services will issue a T4A slip for your dependent child at year-end. If your dependent child meets certain criteria, they may be able to exclude the amount from income on his or her income tax return.
Questions?
If you have general questions about tuition waivers or your eligibility, please contact UBC Benefits. If you have submitted a tuition waiver application, and have questions about the processing, please contact the Integrated Service Centre.