The University of Colorado’s Tuition Assistance Benefit (TAB) application will soon open for the fall 2026 semester. This valuable benefit provides an opportunity for CU faculty, staff and their eligible dependents to pursue their educational goals at any CU campus.

Benefits-eligible faculty and staff can access up to 12 credit hours per academic year (fall through summer) on any CU campus. Dependent assistance options vary based on the employee’s home campus and which campus the dependent attends.

Any employees or their dependents who would like to use TAB need to take some steps to prepare.

Enroll in classes before applying to TAB

Before getting started, review the eligibility information pages for employees and for dependents to understand which courses and programs are eligible for TAB.  

Step 1: Apply to the campus you or your dependent wish to attend. If you or your dependent want to take classes but are not pursuing a degree or certificate, follow that campus’s instructions for non-degree-seeking students. Those deadlines may be earlier than the degree-seeking TAB deadlines.

Note: Be aware that the Boulder campus has separate non-degree application processes for CU employees and their dependents.

Step 2: Register for classes.

Step 3: Complete the TAB Application in your employee portal. Employees must complete the application for dependents. List backup class options in case your preferred class is full.

Step 4: Watch for confirmation from your campus bursar’s office that your tuition assistance has been applied.

If you or your dependent change the class(es) covered by TAB or your application was rejected, you will need to resubmit your TAB application. Review the full rules and guidelines on the Tuition Assistance Benefit website.

Be sure to verify your campus-specific course registration dates, TAB application deadlines and other instructions by going to the How to apply section and selecting your campus of attendance to see campus-specific deadlines.

How the benefit works

The benefit can be used for undergraduate and graduate courses, helping employees or their dependents advance their education or explore new interests.

The Tuition Assistance Benefit helps make education more affordable for the CU community:

• Employees and their dependents can use their tuition benefits during the same semester, providing flexibility for families pursuing education simultaneously.
• Benefits-eligible employees can use up to 12 credit hours per academic year on any CU campus.
• Dependent benefits include either credit hour coverage or tuition discounts depending on campus of employment and campus of attendance.
  • Benefits-eligible employees can receive up to $270 per credit hour for dependents attending a different CU campus than the employee's home campus.
  • CU Anschutz, CU Denver and UCCS employees receive up to 12 credit hours for dependents at their home campus.
  • CU Boulder and CU System employees receive a 40% tuition discount for dependents attending CU Boulder.

How to apply

1. Log in to your employee portal.
2. Open the CU Resources drop-down menu and select Forms.
3. Click the Benefits tile, then click the Tuition Assistance Application tile.
4. Complete and submit your application by your campus deadline.

Deadlines

Applications open Aug. 1, but submission deadlines are specific to the campus you’ll attend.

• CU Anschutz: Sept. 2
• CU Boulder: Sept. 15
• UCCS: Sept. 10
• CU Denver: Sept. 2

The fall semester is an excellent opportunity to continue your educational journey or help a dependent advance theirs. Whether pursuing a degree or expanding knowledge in a specific area, the Tuition Assistance Benefit can help make it more affordable. Visit the Tuition Assistance website to learn more and prepare your application.