Kate McLaughlin, Staff Writer
December 8, 2023
For over 25 years, Nobles has upheld its enduring commitment to faculty support through a tuition remission initiative. The benefit provides financial assistance to all employees with children, covering 93% of their child’s tuition to attend Nobles or up to 75% for alternative independent schools through grades 7-12, standing as a testament to institutional values.
Central to this initiative is the unwavering support for employees from all departments of the school. As faculty dedicate their lives to promoting education and well-being at Nobles, the school aims to reciprocate this generosity by supporting their personal lives through financial assistance. Chief Financial and Operating Officer Steve Ginsberg said, “At a place relying on its teachers and employees as the backbone of the institution, supporting them in their personal lives is a source of real pride.”
In addition to financial relief for employees, the initiative significantly impacts their children’s educational choices. Nobles’ generous approach allows faculty families to explore various education paths for their children while mitigating the factor of cost. Having experienced the benefit of tuition remission through his two children, English Faculty Alden Mauck said, “It allows kids and their parents to figure out if [Nobles] is the right place.” Children feel financially supported, regardless of the school they attend.
Another essential advantage of tuition remission lies in attracting and retaining employees. For many faculty, joining Nobles is linked to receiving this initiative; some even come for its sole purpose. Mauck said, “Teachers will refer to [tuition remission] as the golden handcuffs because it’s such a good deal. How can you say no?” Beyond financial support, the exhibition of generosity and reciprocal appreciation also attracts employees. The school’s interest in supporting the employees’ lives outside the classroom resonates with its core values, creating an impactful experience for employees and their families.
The profound impact of tuition remission is no better exemplified than through Mauck. Previously teaching at St. Sebastian’s, an all-boys school where the faculty remission policy isn’t extended to children who attend other independent schools, Mauck’s young daughter lacked financial support. He prioritized the benefit when searching for an alternative job, leading him to Nobles, where his noteworthy career has positively impacted the school community. He said, “I was not going to accept a job that didn’t offer tuition remission…I feel lucky to have wound up here, but I was going to get it one way or another.” Mauck’s unwillingness to compromise tuition remission reflects the initiative’s importance to attracting and retaining faculty.
This scenario is among numerous cases demonstrating the magnetic quality of tuition remission. Nobles attracts a broader and more competitive pool of employees by offering the benefit, improving the quality of school employees and the overall quality of education. General Counsel and History and Social Science Faculty Beth Reilly (N ‘87) said, “Without this benefit, we may risk losing excellent educators to other schools who offer that kind of support.” In this way, Nobles secures better teachers, faculty, and staff for the community. Tuition remission also elevates education by promoting engagement from teachers. When educators feel supported in their personal lives and through their children, they are more inclined to better the Nobles experience for other children. Mauck said, “I feel an added responsibility to teach well at a place where my kids went to school.”
It’s important to note that Nobles allocates a designated budget for the remission benefit. The budget is derived from the school fund, which also contributes towards need-based financial aid. A delicate equilibrium exists between these two causes, and the admissions office does its best to prevent cost from being a deterrent to any prospective families, faculty or not. Balancing these interests—supporting employees while catering to all students—remains a topic of consideration, but is likely to stay. Any change to tuition remission would spark conflict and controversy, so it is unlikely that the school will withdraw or modify the initiative anytime soon. Ginsberg said, “We’ve talked about getting rid of it or changing the dollar amount, but the Board has been consistently in support of [the benefit] because of what it does for employees. Although the elevated experience resulting from tuition remission remains unrecognized by most, it continues to better the Nobles community for employees and students alike.
(Graphic Credit: Hyewon Suh)
