Choice Program: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility requirements for the Choice program?

Applicants must meet these four requirements:

1. Must be previously accepted for the Choice program by the Nurse Scholars Academy and be continuing the same degree program. Choice participants who previously completed a degree program will not be eligible to apply for a new degree program.
2. Must be a Northern California KFH/HP non-represented, benefited (20+ hours) registered nurse employee
3. Must have completed at least 90 days as a regular KP employee
4. Must already be accepted into an accredited BSN or graduate degree program

What degree programs qualify for support under the Choice program?

At present, the Choice program supports these degree programs:

• Bachelor’s degrees: RN to BSN programs
• Master’s degrees: MSN, MS, MBA, CNS, etc.
• Doctoral degrees: DNP, PhD, etc.

As part of the application review process, the Nurse Scholars Academy will determine if the applicant’s desired degree qualifies for the Choice program and is beneficial to KP nursing.

Does the Choice program cover Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) degree programs?

At present, the Choice program only provides tuition assistance for Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) programs.

Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) programs are not covered at this time.

I am a current nurse scholar in a Kaiser Permanente Nurse Scholars Academy (NSA) degree program (RN-BSN, MSN, or ELDNP). Am I eligible to apply for the Choice program?

No, KP KFH/HP non-represented employees are only eligible for one Nurse Scholars Academy degree program at a time.

Note: Submitting information through the website Contact form is not an application. You must apply using the online application form for this program (when available).

I would like to submit an application to the Choice program. How do I apply?

Previously accepted Choice program participants who meet the eligibility requirements will be invited to apply by email in September.

The application will be available online from October 1, 2022 and will remain open until October 31, 2022 at 11:45 pm.

What do I need to provide for the re-application process?

• Résumé or CV.
• A brief statement of purpose describing how the academic program will influence the applicant’s professional practice and leadership development at KP.
• Proof of enrollment into the academic degree program (e.g. registration, proof of enrollment, unofficial transcript).
• Applicant’s direct supervisor’s name, NUID, and KP email.
• Applicants must provide financial statements (from their academic institution) that shows tuition costs for the prior calendar year and the entire current calendar year, including tuition cost not yet realized in the current year.

The applicant should notify their direct supervisor that the Nurse Scholars Academy will send a reference form for the supervisor to complete and show his or her support for the applicant. The supervisor should know that the applicant is planning to apply for the Choice program.

Compliance with Choice program obligations and expectations will be taken into consideration for those who reapply to the Choice program.

How is tuition defined for the Choice program?

Tuition assistance includes:

• Course/class tuition fees
• Required reading materials
• Laboratory fees
• Loans and financial aid that need to be repaid

Tuition assistance DOES NOT include:

• Any scholarships, grants or stipends that do not need to be repaid
• Hotels and travel costs

All financial items are subject to review and at the discretion of the Nurse Scholars Academy.

What tuition assistance is available?

• Eligible employees may apply for tuition assistance up to a maximum of $5,000 per year for bachelor’s degree programs, up to a maximum of $6,000 for master’s degree programs, and up to a maximum of $9,000 per year for doctoral degree programs.
• Actual tuition assistance awarded is based on the applicant’s tuition need for the current calendar year:
  

  Example Tuition Assistance Calculation
  	Maria is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing
  	$7,000 Tuition Cost for 2022
  -	$3,000 National Tuition Reimbursement
  =	$4,000 Remaining Tuition Need
  2022 Choice Master’s Degree Maximum: $6,000/year
  Maria’s Choice Tuition Assistance: $4,000

Note: The maximum Kaiser Permanente tuition reimbursement amount (currently $3,000 for Northern California non-represented employees) will always be taken into consideration when evaluating the applicant’s annual tuition need (see example above).

Are there tax implications for this tuition assistance?

• Annual funds from Qualified Educational Assistance Programs (e.g. National Tuition Reimbursement, Choice program) received from Kaiser Permanente amounting to more than $5,250 are taxable income.
• Annual funds received from the National Tuition Reimbursement benefit continue to remain non-taxable income.
• Annual funds received from the Choice program up to $2,250 will be non-taxable income. Funds received from the Choice program above $2,250 will be taxed.

Note: The employee’s paycheck will indicate which funds received are taxable income. As appropriate, taxes will be deducted on taxable income by National Payroll Services.

What other financial assistance programs are available?

• The applicant’s college or university may have additional information about other financial aid and scholarships.
• KP employees may also be eligible for tuition reimbursement benefits through MyHR. Kaiser Permanente employee tuition reimbursement policy: https://epf.kp.org/wps/myportal/hr/kpme/career/educationalassistance/
• KP employees may also be eligible for employee discounts (e.g. computers) through MyHR. Go to https://epf.kp.org/wps/myportal/hr/kpme and click on “Employee Discount” under the “Benefits, Pay & Employment” section.

Can I apply for tuition assistance for tuition that I paid in a previous year?

• No, tuition costs must be incurred during the same calendar year the applicant is applying for tuition assistance. Note: Applicants can apply for tuition assistance through the Choice program for tuition they paid earlier in the current calendar year.
• Tuition costs incurred in previous calendar years are not covered under the Choice program.

When will I be notified of the Nurse Scholars Academy’s decision on my Choice application?

We will send an email informing the applicant of the selection committee’s decision.

How will I receive the tuition assistance from the Choice program?

• If approved, applicants will receive a letter from the Nurse Scholars Academy with details on when they will receive the disbursement.
• Choice program awards will be distributed through Payroll directly into the employee’s paycheck.

Note: tuition assistance disbursement will be a one-time payout per year.

What are other recommendations for me to continue to grow my professional practice at Kaiser Permanente?

• Respond to calls for abstracts or posters from relevant conferences
• Obtain national certification in the employee’s area of specialty

Who do I contact for more information about the Nurse Scholars Academy?

To connect with resources in the KP Nurse Scholars Academy, please send your inquiries to KPNurseScholars@kp.org.