Tuition Exchange Program (TEP)

About TEP • Participating Institutions • For Institutions • For Students • Application Forms •

View the TEP brochure

The CIC Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC-TEP institutions. Each participating institution in the network agrees to import a limited number of students on the same admission basis as they accept all other students, without regard to the number of students it exports. The CIC-TEP was planned and developed more than two decades ago with a goal of creating a true-access program, without any costly fees or cumbersome credit-debit limitations. The true-access component is only one of the many special features that the program offers.

View the CIC-TEP Participating Institutions

The program addresses several needs. First, the program encourages students from employee families of private colleges and universities to attend similar institutions. Second, it assists these same families in meeting the partial cost of college attendance. Finally, CIC-TEP establishes an educational resource that enhances each institution's benefits package.

With a current membership of more than 350 participating institutions in the CIC-TEP, participation is at its highest level yet. We encourage you to take part. Institutions may register for CIC-TEP online by clicking on For Institutions. Students can find more information on CIC-TEP by clicking on For Students.

Special Features of CIC-TEP

Several unique elements distinguish CIC's Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) and translate into valuable advantages for participants:

TRUE ACCESS PROGRAM -- The CIC-TEP has no limitations on the number of exports nor are there any credit-debit limitations; CIC guarantees export privileges.
ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES ARE ELIGIBLE -- The CIC-TEP does not limit exchange benefits to certain groups of employees. As long as an employee is designated as full-time by a participating institution, she/he is eligible to receive exchange benefits.
OPTIONAL WAITING PERIOD FOR RECEIPT OF THE BENEFIT -- Institutions have the option of making qualified employees immediately eligible or setting a waiting period consistent with their own campus tuition remission programs.
NO HIDDEN FEES -- Once an institution has become a CIC member and has paid its annual membership dues, it registers (annually) for the CIC-TEP and pays the annual institutional registration fee of $350. The CIC-TEP does not charge placement fees per student exported.
FULL TUITION BENEFIT -- Institutions may not grant a partial tuition write-off. All CIC-TEP participants receive a full tuition remission benefit for each eligible student.
INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO IMPORT MORE THAN THREE NEW STUDENTS A YEAR -- This provision is designed to protect the host institution from being inundated with exchange students.
HOST INSTITUTIONS MAY KEEP THE STUDENT'S PELL AND STATE SCHOLARSHIPS -- In order to offset expenses for the host institution and provide an additional benefit, the CIC-TEP allows institutions this privilege.
LISTS OF PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS -- CIC maintains an easily accessible and current listing of CIC-TEP participating institutions on it's website. Early registration provides maximum opportunity for student choice.
EMPLOYEES, SPOUSES, AND DEPENDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE -- The CIC-TEP does not limit benefits to the employee's dependents. Employees, spouses, and dependents are all eligible for full tuition benefits.
NOT RESTRICTED TO FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATES -- Some host institutions permit students to enroll in part-time, graduate, or study-abroad programs. (Eligibility for graduate program benefits is limited to the employee and spouse.)
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES -- Benefits are not limited to national exchanges. The CIC-TEP provides for international exchanges when they are available.
OPTION OF DUAL MEMBERSHIPS -- CIC-TEP participants are permitted to join other tuition exchange programs. In fact, it may be beneficial for institutions participating in the CIC-TEP also to enroll in additional exchange programs.

Testimonials from CIC-TEP participants

"As both an incentive and a benefit, the Tuition Exchange Program often makes the difference in recruiting and retaining good employees with dependents."

Mary E. Hines
President
Carlow University

"The CIC Tuition Exchange is one of the most important benefits provided by the organization to member colleges. Dependent children of faculty and staff are able to access tuition benefits at the more than 350 CIC-TEP member institutions with a minimum of bureaucracy. It's a great employee recruiting tool!"

Jeanne H. Neff
President
The Sage Colleges

"CIC-TEP is a tremendous benefit that allows Tri-State to be competitive in hiring outstanding faculty and staff. Our employees greatly appreciate the opportunity it provides for their dependents."

Earl D. Brooks II
President
Trine University

"The CIC Tuition Exchange Program is A++++ in my book. My daughter has been attending the University of New England for the past two years and this would have never been possible without this benefit. This program is definitely one of the best employee benefits I think Marymount has to offer."

Amy Pappas
Purchasing Coordinator
Marymount University

"I've been involved with Tuition Exchange at three institutions starting in the late 1980s. The Program has been and remains a vital part of all these institutions' recruitment and benefit packages. What better way to say 'we believe in higher education' than to offer Tuition Exchange to your employees' dependents!"

Wendy Libby
President
Stephens College