<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".25" citation="COMAR 14.27.02.25" title_num="14" subtitle_num="27" chapter_num="02" heading="Training.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Financial Assistance. The Service may offer financial assistance to an employee for the cost of completing:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An advanced education program at a preauthorized, accredited undergraduate or graduate institution;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Employee job training or development courses; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A high school equivalency program.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Procedure.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An employee requesting financial assistance for expenses authorized in §A of this regulation shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Make a formal request to the Human Resources Division in advance of registration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide justification that the courses are relevant to Service needs; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Obtain the approval of the employee's group managing director and the Chief of the Human Resources Division.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Service may grant an employee financial assistance up to 100 percent of tuition costs, registration fees, lab fees, and required books, not exceeding the annual dollar limit allowed by the Internal Revenue Service.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The employee shall secure a passing grade of “C” or better for undergraduate college credit courses and a “B” or better for graduate college credit courses. If a letter grade is not awarded, proof of successful completion of the course or certification shall be provided.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An employee who terminates employment with the Service, for any reason, within 1 year of completion of a course for which the Service has provided financial assistance, may be required to reimburse the Service for the entire cost of the assistance provided for a course in which the employee was enrolled during the year.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>