Tuition Exchange FAQ for Duquesne Employees

Who is eligible to apply for a Tuition Exchange Scholarship?

Full-time faculty and staff and their eligible dependents are able to apply for TE/CIC participation.

What are my chances of being certified eligible by Duquesne for TE/CIC consideration?

There is no guarantee. The TE/CIC program is not a Duquesne Benefit, so you are not automatically eligible to receive it. However, Duquesne University certified all on-time applications received for the 2009-2010 academic year. For the 2010-2011 academic year, we expect that all on-time applications will be certified. Should the quota system of the program prohibit approval of an application, selection will be made based on employee’s length of employment.

How does my dependent child become eligible for a TE/CIC Scholarship?

There are three steps in the process. First, the employee must submit a TE application to the Duquesne University Human Resource Department who will determine if the employee or their dependent is eligible for the exchange (this process is called certification). Second, the employee or their eligible dependent applies for admission to the participating university or college of interest. Third, when the applicant is admitted, the importing institution determines whether or not a TE/CIC Scholarship is awarded.

What are my chances that the TE/CIC institution will award a scholarship once eligible?

It depends on the participating TE/CIC institution’s policies and procedures and the number of scholarships it has available. Last year, TE colleges that were new to TE, or were very large institutions, were more likely to offer a TE Scholarship. Also, if the number of TE applicants to a particular TE college is small, chances will be better to get an award.

When should you apply?

You should apply no later than the earliest college admission deadline at the institution you are considering. For the 2010-2011 Duquesne University’s deadline is December 1, 2009.

What is the value of a TE scholarship?

For 2010-2011, the institutions are required to cover at least $30,000 of their charged tuition (this is called minimum “set rate” value). If the tuition is higher, the participating TE college may offer a TE scholarship covering all or some of the remaining tuition cost. Each year the Tuition Exchange Board of Directors establishes the “set rate” value based on a weighted average of all participating TE college tuition. This means that the “set rate” value could change each year.

What happens if a large number of Duquesne University employees apply for TE for the same year?

When Duquesne University has a limited number of exporting TE/CIC slots available, selection will be made on a seniority basis according to the employee’s length of employment.

What happens if too many students apply for TE at a particular TE institution?

Each participating TE institution determines whom they will accept (step2) and how many students will be offered a TE scholarship (step 3). The criteria used could include but is not limited to SAT/ACT scores, class rank, teacher recommendations, activities, financial need or first come first serve basis.

Who administers Duquesne University’s TE program?

A. The Director of Financial Aid acts as the Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer responsible for administration of the program on a daily basis. Human Resources is responsible for maintaining Duquesne’s TE policies.

Is there anything else I should know about TE/CIC?

It is a good idea to apply for financial aid at the same time the admission application is filed just in case the participating TE/CIC institution does not offer a TE/CIC scholarship. If the student waits to find out if a TE/CIC scholarship is offered before applying for aid, it may be too late to apply for aid. Also, even if a TE/CIC scholarship is offered, the student may still need financial assistance beyond the TE/CIC scholarship.

Where can I get more information about TE/CIC?

Connect to the internet at www.tuitionexchange.org or www.cic.org to review a current listing of participating institutions. If you have questions about TE/CIC at another college, contact the Admissions Office at that college. If you have more questions about TE/CIC in general, contact us at the Financial Aid Office, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, 412-396-6607.