The School Board of Polk County
Greenhouse Project
What is the Greenhouse Project?
The Greenhouse Project is a tuition-reimbursement program that was designed for
full-time non-instructional active employees interested in pursuing an education
degree.
How can I take advantage of this opportunity?
1.
2.
3.
Read the Greenhouse Project Terms and Conditions.
Complete a Greenhouse Project Application and return it to the Human Resource
Services (HRS)/Office of Recruiting ROUTE E.
Apply to an accredited college of your choice.
Important Note: There are a number of institutions and/or university programs that although
accredited, are not approved for reimbursement through the Greenhouse Project. These include,
but are not limited to; The University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University’s Educational Studies
Program, Florida Southern College’s Educational Studies Program, and Warner Southern College’s
Educational Studies Program.
These programs do not currently yield a five-year Florida Professional Certificate and therefore do
not qualify for reimbursement.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Apply for a Pell Grant (FAFSA) by visiting http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
a.
The financial aid advisors at the college can assist you with this application.
b.
If you apply on-line, you will learn immediately whether you qualify for a Pell Grant.
 If you qualify for a full Pell Grant, use the grant to pay your tuition.
 If you do not qualify for a grant, send a copy of the non-funding letter to the
Office of Recruiting for your file. This will verify that you qualify for tuition
reimbursement.
c.
You must complete a new financial aid application every school year.
See an academic advisor to determine your course of study. Take an official high school
transcript and an official college transcript (if applicable) with you to your appointment.
Register for your class/es and purchase your textbooks.
a.
You will need to prepay in the event you are denied funds.
b.
Ask for separate receipts for each class, so that if you withdraw from a class, the
exact reimbursable amount will be clear.
c.
Current reimbursement rates are: 100% of the tuition and lab fee costs at the state
university rate, and 50% of the textbook costs!
Take the class/es passing with a minimum of “C” grade.
At the end of the semester(and after grades have posted), submit ALL of the following
within 30 calendar days of the posting of grades to the Office of Recruiting:
a. appropriate tuition reimbursement form
b. copy of your paid tuition receipts
c. itemized textbook receipt and
d. official grades.
Polk County School Board
Greenhouse Project Application
Background Information:
Today’s Date:
SAP#:
Last Name:
First:
Home Address:
City:
Phone #:
Position:
Duty Hours: from ____ to ____
Initial date of hire with Polk County School Board:
Work Location:
Zip:
Number of years (counting this one) employed with Polk County School Board: _______
How did you hear about the Greenhouse Project (i.e., website, friend, etc.)?
Educational Status:
GED: yes
no
If yes, year obtained:
High School Attended:
Yr. of graduation:
AS degree: (specify area)
Yr. obtained:
AA degree: (specify area)
Yr. obtained:
Please list the last school/college you attended as a student:
What area of teaching are you interested in pursuing? (Check all that apply.)
Elementary Education
Physical Education (PE)
Primary Education (Pre K – Kindergarten)
Guidance Media
Middle School (list subject)
High School (list subject)
Exceptional Student Education (list area)
Other
Please send this completed form by courier to:
HRS/Office of Recruiting
ROUTE E
Office of Recruiting
2/6/2016
Greenhouse Project Application
Verification of Enrollment- Page 2
Today's Date:
SAP#:
Last Name:
Work Location:
First:
Position:
Home Address:
City:
Phone:
Alternate email address:
Zip:
Once this form is complete and the additional documents obtained, send all by courier to
HRS/Recruiting, Route E.
Enrollment documentation: (This section must be completed by a college official.)
I verify that this applicant has applied and been accepted to the college/university, and may begin
taking classes on a part/full time basis in a degree-seeking program for a degree from the College of
Education that will yield a State of Florida 5 yr. Professional Teaching Certificate upon graduation.
________________________________
Signature of College Official/ Date
________________
Title
___________________________
Name of College
A copy of the paid enrollment must be forwarded by the employee to the Office of Recruiting Documents
must be received by Office of Recruiting in order for reimbursement to occur.
Financial Aid Application documentation: (This section must be read and completed by the
employee.)
Important Note: Each school year, the employee must provide an up-to-date letter stating his/her
eligibility/ineligibility for a Pell Grant. Applying on-line ensures that the employee will receive an
immediate response, which he/she should print and submit a copy to the Office of Recruiting.

Once the qualification status has been determined, the employee must include a copy of the
statement of funding status indicating whether funding was obtained and, if so, the amount.

If the employee chooses to apply for any other grant funding, a copy of that statement is also
requested.
Please √ all applicable items.
□ I have attached the required documentation reflecting my funding status and the specified
amount.
□ I have attached a copy of additional grant funding for which I have applied.
Office of Recruiting
2/6/2016
Greenhouse Project Terms and Conditions- Page 3
Alternate email address:
Last Name:
Work Location:
Home Address:
SAP#:
First:
Position:
City:
Zip:
A non-instructional employee must meet the following terms and conditions in order to access the
Greenhouse Program.
1.
2.
3.
Non-instructional employees must be currently employed by Polk County School Board.
Non-instructional employees must apply for the Greenhouse Project by completing the Greenhouse Project
Application and submitting it to the Human Resource Services/ Office of Recruiting, Rte E.
Non-instructional employees must enroll in an institution of higher education.
a. A copy of the enrollment documents must be sent to Office of Recruiting for reimbursement of the
enrollment fee.
b. The completed Verification of Enrollment Form must be sent to the Office of Recruiting.
c. Reimbursement of tuition does not imply District responsibility for program availability or completion.
Important Note: This program will not cover classes taken (in the past) or those in process.
4.
Non-instructional employees must apply every school year for a Pell Grant and/or other funding
opportunities by completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Important Note: If funding is obtained, that funding will pay for the college costs rather than the School
Board’s tuition reimbursement program.
5.
6.
Whether or not funding is secured through a Pell or other grant, the non-instructional employee must send a
copy of the statement of Pell Grant eligibility (updated every school year) to the HRS/Office of
Recruiting.
Non-instructional employees must register for a class (es), purchase the textbook(s), and pass with a
minimum of “C” or “pass” (if a pass/ fail system is used).
a. Once the class is completed, the employee must send a copy of the tuition receipt, reimbursable at
state university rate, lab fee receipt, textbook receipt, and grade report to the Office of Recruiting for
reimbursement of 100% of the tuition at the state university rate (as appropriate) and 50% of the
textbook cost.
b. This process is to be repeated each term for the duration of the degree program. Documentation is due
to the Office of Recruiting within 30 calendar days of the posting of grades each term.
Important Note: This tuition and book reimbursement program does not apply to remedial courses.
7.
8.
9.
Non-instructional employees agree to a commitment of one-half year of employment as described in the
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Please refer to page 6 of this packet for an details regarding credithour equivalents and information regarding time reimbursement credit.
If the non-instructional employee is not offered an appropriate position, he/she has no further obligation to
the district.
Non-instructional employees shall sign a Promissory Note (herein) agreeing to the above stated time
reimbursement. Time reimbursement shall not exceed a maximum of three years.
I understand that Polk County School Board offers a tuition reimbursement program for current non-instructional
employees, effective as of October 24, 2000. If approved I understand that I will be reimbursed at the state university
rate (as appropriate) for registration fees, tuition, and lab fees as well as one-half textbook costs. Additionally, I am
aware that this program will not cover classes that I am currently completing or those already taken.
I have read and understand the terms and conditions above and agree to fulfill all requirements of this
program designed to assist me in becoming a teacher in Polk County Public Schools.
Employee’s Signature_________________________________________ Date: _________________________
Office of Recruiting
2/6/2016
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION- Page 4
9.3. EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE FOR PARAEDUCATORS:
9.3-3 The degree seeking paraeducator will be required to provide one half year of
employment with the Polk County School Board as follows:
Credit Hours
1-24
25-48
49-72
73-96
97-120
121-144
Employment with PCSB
one half year of work for the Polk County
School Board
additional one half year
additional one half year
additional one half year
additional one half year
additional one half year
 An employee shall not receive time reimbursement credit during any semester
the employee is receiving the tuition/book subsidy established in 9.3-1 or 9.3-2.
 The paraeducator shall sign a promissory note agreeing to the above stated time
reimbursement. Time reimbursement shall not exceed a maximum of three
years.
 Employees that must take an Educational Leave to complete their requirements
for graduation/certification, (i.e. internship, student teaching) must complete the
educational leave form and indicate their participation in the Greenhouse Project,
internship, or student teaching for their health benefits to be maintained during
this period. If the employee is not offered an appropriate position, the employee
owes no further obligation to the District.
 Reimbursement of tuition does not imply District responsibility for program
availability or completion.
Office of Recruiting
2/6/2016
Greenhouse Project
Tuition Reimbursement Application
Today's Date
SAP #
First Name
Work Location
Home Address
City
Zip
SS#
Last Name
Position
Email Address
Alternate#
Phone
Class/Course
Beginning Date
Ending Date
Tuition Cost
Total$
# of Textbooks Purchased: ___________
Book Title
Cost
Total$
Total Tuition Costs Paid (include verification receipt)
Total Textbook Costs (include verification receipt) x ½
_________
_________
Reminder: 100% of tuition at state community college or university rate (as appropriate) will be reimbursed;
50% of textbook costs will be reimbursed.
*Please make multiple copies of this form for future use (each semester) *
Send this completed form and ALL supporting documentation
including appropriate receipts to:
Human Resource Services/Attn: Office of Recruiting
Route E
Office of Recruiting
2/6/2016