Employee Educational Assistance

All full-time employees are eligible for education assistance. Part-time employees who are regularly employed with Lone Star College and who have completed a full twelve months of consecutive employment with the System are eligible. Employment is considered "continuous" if the employee receives a paycheck in each of twenty-four (24) consecutive pay periods.

Eligible Lone Star College tuition and charges for credit courses, up to the applicable maximum, are waived under this policy. Tuition and fees for continuing education classes that have been approved by the employee's supervisor may also be waived. Lone Star College will waive up to a yearly maximum of $5,250 of the tuition and related fees for eligible courses taken at Lone Star College.

To download the Employee Educational Assistance forms and more information regarding this program, click the link below.

Employee Educational Assistance Information

Educational Attainment (Instructional)

LSC Faculty are encouraged to further their education. Instructional Educational Attainments are awarded as an increase to the Faculty member’s base pay and are obtained by moving from one Faculty pay grade to a higher Faculty pay grade. The degree must be completed while employed with Lone Star College. The degree must be from an accredited college or university.

For current employees, the criteria and the Service Now Tile - Full-Time Instructional Educational Attainment Request can be found on the LSC Service Center under HR Services, in the Compensation tile.  

Educational Attainment (Non-Instructional)

Full-time, non-instructional employees are also encouraged to further their education. Non-Instructional Educational Attainments are granted for the achievement of higher-level degrees or for obtaining a certification listed in the 'Preferred Qualifications' section of the employee’s current job description. The degree or preferred certification must be completed while employed with Lone Star College. The degree must be from an accredited college or university.

For current employees, the criteria and the educational attainment request form for non-instructional can be found on the LSC Employee Intranet in OHR Forms in the Compensation Forms library. Service Now Tile - Full-time Non-Instructional Educational Attainment Request

There are three types of Non-Instructional Educational Attainment awards, as described below:

1. One-Time Stipend (Degrees)
   If your new degree is more than one level higher than what is required for your position as of September 1, you may receive a one-time stipend as listed below:
    

   Associate’s Degree:     $500	Bachelor’s Degree:    $1,000
   Master’s Degree:       $1,000	Doctoral Degree:       $1,000

2. Base Pay Adjustment (Degrees)
   If your new degree is one level higher than what you currently hold and is no more than one level higher than what is required for your position as of September 1, 2% of your August 31 salary may be added to your base pay, effective September 1 of the upcoming academic year.
    
3. Base Pay Adjustment (Certifications)
   If your new certification is listed as preferred on the job description for your current position as of September 1, 1% of your August 31 salary may be added to your base pay, effective September 1 of the upcoming academic year.

Tutor Certification and Educational Increase

Tutor Certification/Educational Attainments are awarded as an increase to the Tutor’s hourly pay rate and are given for earning a higher-than-current level of education and/or tutor certification. 

For current employees, the criteria and the Service Now Tile - Tutor Certification/Educational Attainment Request can be found on the LSC Service Center under HR Services, in the Compensation tile.

Employee Assistance Program

Full-time and part-time Lone Star College employees and their dependents are eligible to receive counseling and information about personal and family problems at no cost to the employee. Professional advice is available on a confidential basis from family therapists, psychologists, and other professionals from an established counseling service contracted by LSC, UTHealthHouston

The EAP is a confidential counseling and information service for employees and family members which offers short-term assistance, up to five visits in handling personal problems.

UTEAP is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 713.500.3327 or toll-free at 800.346.3549.

Looking to access services? Click below for more information

UTEAP Contact Form
UTEAP Website

Holidays

Lone Star College provides generous paid time off; 14 paid holidays during the academic year, Fridays off in the Summer, paid sick time, and paid personal days. Compensation is paid for leave as described in the Board Policy.

2023-2024 Important Dates (holiday schedule)
Academic Calendars

The Chancellor shall designate the paid holidays to be provided to eligible employees during the twelve-month period beginning September 1.

MetLife Pre-Paid Legal Benefit

MetLife provides covered employees with telephone and office consultations with an attorney for an unlimited number of matters for a benefit premium of $16.50/month. During a consultation, an attorney will review, discuss your rights and responsibilities, explore your options, and recommend a course of action for you to take. They can assist you with completing a will, reviewing paperwork for selling and purchasing a home, assisting with traffic tickets, and more.

Click here for additional information.

Short-Term Disability

Lone Star College provides short-term disability to all full-time employees at no charge. LSC short-term disability covers 60% of an employee's pay for up to 90 calendar days. All sick leave, compensatory time, vacation time, and sick leave pool, if applicable, must be exhausted prior to applying for short-term disability. Medical documentation is required. The employee is allowed to apply for short-term disability one time per academic year. LSC short-term disability is an individual plan and does not run concurrently with the short-term disability plan through ERS.

Wellness Program

All full-time employees are eligible to participate in the Wellness Program. Full-time employees who engage in a minimum of three hours of exercise each week may receive up to one and one-half hours release time from their duties to participate in such activities.

The Wellness Program at LSC is designed to encourage employees to practice simple, positive lifestyle habits that increase quality of life, productivity, and longevity. Wellness incorporates such aspects as adequate fitness, proper nutrition, stress management, disease prevention, the value of spirituality, personal safety, smoking cessation, regular physical exams and screenings, health education and awareness, and environmental support.

Contact your local Human Resources office for more information.

Worker's Compensation

Full-time and part-time employees of LSC are covered by the State-required Workers' Compensation Insurance Program. The plan provides for the employee to receive benefits for qualifying injuries received while on the job.