Staff Educational Attainment Incentive

Effective: May 1, 2007 

The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR) firmly believes in the importance of furthering one’s education through higher education and attainment of degrees. As such, the Educational Attainment Incentive Program has been adopted Division-wide as an incentive to staff who seek opportunities for continuous learning and enhancement of their professional career.

Eligibility Requirements:

• All continuous, regular staff positions of 1.0 FTE within DASNR.
• Employee must have at least two years of continuous OSU service prior to completion of degree program.
• Employee must maintain “merit” or equivalent level performance.
• Employee’s degree program must relate to current line of work.

Approved Degrees and Certifications:

• All degrees must be received from accredited higher education institutions.
• All certifications must be for a particular field of study from a national, state, or local accrediting board.
• Individual course(s) leading to degree attainment may be paid for by the department as part of the employee’s training plan if related to the employee’s duties. The appropriate unit head must approve training plans prior to scheduled courses to ensure adequate staffing and budgetary considerations. Staff fee waivers are also available.

Pay Incentive (permanent increase to base pay):

Incentive Schedule:

• Associate degrees and certifications - $1,200/year or $100/month
• Baccalaureate degrees - $1,800/year or $150/month
• Master’s degrees - $2,400/year or $200/month
• Doctoral degrees - $3,000/year or $250/month
• Increase will be given within 30 days of degree attainment as verified through official transcript from awarding institution.
• Multiple completions of similar degrees will not result in additional payments. No payments will be given for lesser degree completion (i.e., employee has a master’s degree and later earns a bachelor’s degree).
• Payments are subject to appropriate taxes and withholdings.
• Payments will be made to eligible employees who complete degrees after May 1, 2007.

Procedures and Approval Process:

• Complete Staff Educational Attainment Incentive Pay Plan Employee Form (attached).
• Submit completed form to immediate supervisor for approval. This form must be completed and approved at the beginning of study or at least 2 semesters prior to the completion of the degree or certification.
• Form must be approved by immediate supervisor, unit head, and vice president/dean and will be kept in the employee’s personnel file.
• After obtaining the certification or degree, the employee must submit their official transcript or certification to their appropriate supervisor.
• Pay increase will be added within 30 days after receiving this documentation. 

Staff Educational Attainment Form 

Oklahoma State University and DASNR reserve the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate or change any or all provisions of the plan, in whole or part, at any time, with or without notice. The language that appears in this document is not intended to create nor is it to be construed to constitute a contract between Oklahoma State University and any or all of its employees.