Verizon Tuition Assistance Plan for
Associate Employees
Frequently Asked Questions
General Policy Issues

Am I eligible for tuition assistance?
Verizon employees are eligible for tuition assistance from their date of hire. Please see the VZ TAP
Plan for Associate Employees for further details. (Appendix C for fGTE employees, Appendix D for
fBAS employees, and Appendix E for fBAN employees.)

What educational programs and fees are covered?
Details of approvable programs and courses are listed in the VZ TAP Policies. The covered
expenses/fees and excluded expenses/fees are listed in Appendix B. The VZTAP Plan for Associate
Employees can be found on the VZTAP website, on the eWeb and is available through the automated
phone system. Call VZ TAP at 866-994-3470.

What is Prior Learning Assessment and why is it covered by the Policy?
Many adults are eligible to receive credit for prior learning derived from work, military and life
experiences. This accelerates the process of obtaining a degree and it saves both time and money
for the student. This process may involve completing assessments and tests or creating a portfolio.

Has the VZTAP Policy for Associate Employees changed from the previous plan?
No. Other than renaming the policy to be used by Associates only, there have been no changes
made for 2005 to the guidelines in this policy from the previous plan. Exceptions based on preexisting Tuition Assistance Plan for Associates are still in effect and are listed in Appendix C of the
Associate Plan for fGTE associates, Appendix D for fBAS associates and Appendix E for fBAN
associates.
Application Processing

How will I know if the school/educational provider I select may be approved under the Policy?
The school/educational institution you wish to attend must be accredited by one of the agencies listed
in Appendix A in the VZ TAP Associate Plan. If the school is not accredited by one of the agencies on
the applicable list, your application will be denied. If the school you wish to attend is not accredited by
one of these agencies, the school must independently pursue accreditation.

How can I find out if my school is accredited?
Appendix A of the VZ TAP Plan lists the approved accrediting agencies. Call your school and ask for
the name of their accrediting agency. If the agency is listed on Appendix A of the plan, your school is
acceptable under the plan.

Can I apply for VZTAP with an application not submitted via the VZTAP website?
Associates should use the VZTAP website at www.tamsonline.org/vztap for application submission,
but may fax, mail or email their prepayment tuition assistance applications to VZTAP if they do not
have access to the web. All EMBA and Book Reimbursements for eligible employees will continue be
paper applications and will have to be mailed to CAEL VZTAP for processing with the required
accompanying documents.

What happens if my application is incomplete?
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You will receive a letter or email requesting missing information if your web application is incomplete.
Paper applications with missing information will be returned to you.

How do I find out if my application has been approved?
You may check the status of your application via the VZ TAP website at: www.tamsonline.org/vztap
To log on to the site, enter your social security number as your user name and your password. The
first time you log on, your password will be the last six digits of your social security number. You can
re-set this password once you have logged into the site for the first time. Once logged in, click on
“Application”. If you do not have access to the Internet, call 866-994-3470 and follow the instructions
to receive the automated answers for the status of your application.
Receiving a Letter of Credit

How long does it take to receive a Letter of Credit?
It usually takes two to three weeks from the date we receive your application for you to receive your
Letter of Credit. Applications submitted via the website are processed slightly faster than emailed,
faxed or mailed paper applications.

Where will my Letter of Credit be sent?
If you select “Use Work Address” as your preferred mailing address on your employee profile, you will
receive an email notification with your Letter of Credit attached as a PDF file at your work email
address when your application is approved. If there is no email address in the work email field, a
Letter of Credit will be mailed to your work address via US mail.
If you select “Use Home Address” as your preferred mailing address, you will receive an email
notification with your Letter of Credit attached as a PDF file at your home email address when your
application is approved. If there is no email address in the home email field, a Letter of Credit will be
mailed to your home address via US mail.

Can I receive my Letter of Credit at home?
Yes. When you complete an online application, select “Use Home Address”. You must insert your
home email address in the email address field if you wish to receive your Letter of Credit
electronically. If you select “Use Home Address” and do not enter a home email address, your Letter
of Credit will be mailed to your home via US mail.

What should I do if an incorrect address is listed in my Participant Profile?
Your employer provides this information. If the email address is incorrect, you may temporarily
change it in your Profile on the web site. However, if you wish to have it permanently changed,
contact your HR department. If no email address if listed, the document is sent via US mail to your
work address. If your work address if incorrect, you may temporarily change it on your Participant
Profile. For a permanent correction, contact your HR department.

Can I get another copy of a Letter of Credit that has been lost?
Yes. You may access your account on the VZ TAP website (www.tamsonline.org/vztap) at any time
to print a copy of the Letter of Credit, or call a VZ TAP Customer Service Representative for
assistance. Once the application status is closed, the Letter of Credit cannot be printed. A closed
application is fully paid and a satisfactory grade is recorded in the system.

How will I get a copy of my Letter of Credit if my email address is incorrect or invalid?
Simply go to the VZ TAP web site to access your account. Click on “Application History”, “Print LOC”.
If you do not have access to the Internet, contact VZ TAP Customer Service for assistance. The
Letter of Credit can be mailed via US mail to your work or home address.

How will I get my Letter of Credit if I do not have a work email address?
You will receive a Letter of Credit by mail at your preferred mailing address on your employee profile.
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
Can I get a Letter of Credit faxed to me?
No. Your Letter of Credit is available by accessing your account on the website, or it is sent through
US mail.

How do I correct an application I have already submitted?
Access your account on the web site and select the appropriate application from the list. You can
only make a change to an application in one of the following statuses: In Progress, Application
Incomplete, or Application Received–Unverified. Once in your application, make your desired
changes and then scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on “SAVE CHANGES”. To submit the
revised application, click on “SUBMIT APPLICATION”. For applications in any other status, or if you
do not have access to the web, see the procedures in the following answer.

How do I change or cancel a course or request a correction to my Letter of Credit?
Once the Letter of Credit has been issued, you can send an email message to vztap@cael.org with
the changes you wish to have made to your Letter of Credit. In your email, please be sure to include
your name, Social Security Number, course names and start and end dates and indicate changes or
corrections. You may also make the change or correction on the Letter of Credit. Write in large letters
at the top of the document “Corrections”. Fax or mail a copy of this to VZ TAP. Only if the requested
changes are approvable, will you be issued a new Letter of Credit.
Invoice Processing

How do I find out if my school invoice has been paid?
You may check the status of all of your applications by accessing your account on the web site. The
“History at a Glance” screen will indicate application status and will include check number, amount
and issue date for all paid applications. You may also call 866-994-3470 and follow the instructions to
receive the automated answers for the status of your applications.

Can I get reimbursed if I paid the tuition myself because I did not obtain a Letter of Credit?
The VZ TAP Policy does not reimburse any employees who pay for their own tuition expenses. We
will only issue tuition payments to accredited institutions. We advise you to submit all of your tuition
assistance applications a minimum of two to three weeks prior to your course registration date. We
also recommend that you never attend a course unless your Letter of Credit has already been issued
for that course. Students, who attend courses without Letters of Credit, are not guaranteed tuition
payment by VZTAP.

How soon will my school be paid once I provide the Letter of Credit to them?
The school must follow the instructions on the Letter of Credit and submit an itemized invoice to the
VZ TAP Plan Administrator within 45 days of receipt of the LOC along with a copy of the signed Letter
of Credit. Payment is processed within approximately 30 days from receipt of the invoice.
Book Reimbursement

Do I qualify for book reimbursement?
All associates following the fGTE tuition assistance plan and all VIS employees will continue to be
eligible for book reimbursement. Please see the VZ TAP Plan for Associate Employees for further
details and exceptions. (Appendix C for fGTE employees, Appendix D for fBAS employees, and
Appendix E for fBAN employees.

How do I apply for book reimbursement?
Applications for book reimbursement can be found on the VZTAP website. Only book
reimbursements sent by regular US Mail will be accepted. You must submit your completed book
reimbursement application along with your passing grades and original receipts (proof of payment)
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within 60 days of course completion. Only the original itemized receipts from the bookstore will be
accepted as proof of payment. Photocopies of the receipt are not acceptable.
Course Completion/Repayment Obligation

How do I submit my grades?
Under the VZ TAP program, grades must be mailed via US mail or faxed to CAEL VZTAP at (866)
994-3470.

How does the VZ TAP Policy define “successful” course completion?
You must receive a grade which enables them to earn the credit for all credit courses attempted. In a
non-credit course, which grants certificates, you must earn a Certificate of Completion. In a “pass/fail”
course, you must receive a “pass”.

What if I am not able to complete my course?
CAEL must have written documentation of your withdrawal from the course. You may send an email
message to vztap@cael.org. Include your name, SSN, application number, and indicate which
course(s) is being dropped. You may also indicate the withdrawal on a copy of the Letter of Credit.
Write in large letters at the top of the document “Corrections” and indicate the changes desired. Fax
or mail a copy of this to VZ TAP. If payment has been processed to the provider for your dropped
course, you are responsible for refunding that money to CAEL or getting the provider to refund the
payment.

What happens if I leave the company voluntarily before I complete a course?
If you resign from the Company while the approved course is in progress you must contact the VZ
TAP Plan administrator immediately to arrange repayment.

What happens if I am laid off while my approved course is in progress?
Under this circumstance, the Company will pay for the course and will repayment will not be required
as long as a passing grade is received.

What happens if I am terminated by the company (non-layoff) while my approved course is in
progress?
If you are terminated by the Company while the approved course is in progress, you must contact the
VZ TAP Plan administrator immediately to arrange repayment.

Under what circumstances must I repay Verizon VZ TAP for payments to school made on my
behalf?
o You must repay if you fail to earn credit in a credit course, fail to earn a Certificate of
Completion or fail to earn a “Pass” in a “Pass/Fail” Course.
o If you do not submit an official grade report within 60 days of completing a course.
o If you withdraw from the course on your own initiative.
o If you fail to provide a final grade or fail to replace a grade of “I” or “Incomplete” with a
satisfactory grade, within 60 days of the end date of the of the course
o If you voluntarily terminate employment with the Company while the course is in progress.
o If you do not successfully complete a correspondence course within the time limit of 18
months from date of approval.

What is the Repayment Process?
Repayment must be made in no more than three installments and paid in full within 90 days of the
date of notification. Personal checks and/or money orders for outstanding TAP repayment obligations
should be made payable to “VZ TAP” and be sent to:
CAEL - VZ TAP
P.O. Box 2824
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Chicago, IL 60690-2824
Other

How does my financial aid impact my benefit?
Employees receiving tuition support or financial assistance from any alternate source must report the
source and amount of the funding on the application form. Student loans are not considered financial
aid and will not impact your benefit.

What are the tax implications for VZ TAP funds?
Some tuition and/or fees covered by the Plan may be taxable as income and subject to tax
withholding. Employees may be required to pay taxes on other courses that are not related to the
employee’s current job in excess of $5,250 annually. Taxability is based upon whether the
employee's individual courses are job-related or, in some cases, whether programs are job-required.
Verizon adheres to the Internal Revenue Service guidelines on taxability of company paid tuition
assistance. IRS guidelines may change in the future. Some of the expenses the Plan does not cover
may qualify for personal tax deductions. It is recommended that employees consult a qualified tax
advisor or the IRS for additional information regarding their personal situation.

Where can I get help understanding more about the taxability laws?
Visit the IRS web site at www.irs.ustreas.gov . Search: Publication 15

What is the reconsideration process/appeal process if my application for tuition assistance
has been denied?
If you feel you have been inappropriately denied tuition assistance, submit a written request for
reconsideration within 60 days of the denial to the VZ TAP Plan Administrator (CAEL). Please include
any relevant documentation necessary to substantiate the claim.
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