SCECHS and Tuition Refunds for Classroom Teachers

About the program

Central Michigan University recognizes the value of professional educators who work closely with our pre-student teaching students and student teachers. Cooperating teachers and pre-student teaching host teachers give many hours of their valuable time to the preparation of our pre-service students. The University has developed a program of tuition refunds for classroom teachers, host teachers, and principals who meet the guidelines listed below to aid them as they continue to enhance their own professional expertise.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Tuition Refund Guidelines

Host Teachers of Pre-Student Teachers

  • Must be the pre-student teaching host teacher who supervised a Central Michigan University regular or special education student and completed the evaluation.
  • Must request reimbursement based on the following ratio:
    • One CMU pre-student teacher in the CMU elementary education program completing EDU 380 = one credit of tuition refund for host teacher. (Credits available for a 12-year period from the beginning of the semester of supervision.)
    • One CMU pre-student teacher in the CMU secondary education program completing major or minor clinical methods’ courses = ½ credit of tuition refund for host teacher. (Credits available for a 12-year period from the beginning of the semester of supervision.)
    • One CMU pre-student teacher in the CMU special education program completing SPE 324 = one credit of tuition refund for host teacher. (Credits available for a 12-year period from the beginning of the semester of supervision.)
  • Credits are for any on- or off-campus course offered through Central Michigan University (including Connecting Link courses).
  • Will reimburse a maximum of six credit hours (CMU credits) in any three-year period. The second three-year period begins three years after the cooperating teacher received the first tuition refund.
  • Tuition refund credits are non-transferrable.
  • Must earn a grade of "B" or higher in the course.
  • Refunds are for tuition only and do not include any fees or other charges.

Host/Cooperating Teachers Supervising a CMU Student Teacher

  • Must be a classroom teacher who supervised a Central Michigan University regular or special education student teacher and completed the final evaluation.
  • Must request reimbursement based on the following ratio:
    1 student-teacher = 3 CMU credit hours
  • This credit is available for a period of 5 years beginning the semester of supervision and for up to a 3-credit course (on or off campus) offered through CMU.  This includes Connecting Link courses. 
  • Are eligible for a refund of up to three more credit hours after a second student teacher has been supervised.
  • Will be reimbursed for a maximum of six hours of CMU credit in any three-year period.  The second 3-year period begins 3 years after the cooperating teacher received the first tuition refund.
  • Credits are for any on- or off-campus course offered through Central Michigan University (including Connecting Link courses).
  • Tuition refund credits are non-transferrable.
  • Must earn a grade of "B" or higher in the course.
  • Refunds are for tuition only and do not include any fees or other charges.

Guidelines-School Principals

  • Must have CMU regular or special education pre-student teaching or student teachers placed and supervised in his/her building during one academic year. 
  • Must request reimbursement based on the following ratio:
    • Each student teacher = one 3-credit course (on or off campus) offered through CMU, including Connecting Link courses (or)
    • One credit for each 6 pre-student teaching students
      (18 pre-student teaching students = 1 CMU 3-credit course).
  • Credits for having CMU student teachers are available for a period of 5 years from the beginning of the semester of placement/supervision; credits are available for a period of 12 years for pre-student teaching students.
  • Are eligible for a second 3-credit course refund after a second student teacher or up to 18 pre-student teaching students have been placed/supervised in the building during a 3-year period.
  • Will be reimbursed for a maximum of six hours of CMU credit in any 3-year period.
  • Tuition refund credits are non-transferrable.
  • Must earn a grade of "B" or higher in the course.
  • Refunds are for tuition only and do not include any fees or other charges.

    Application Procedures

    • The cooperating teacher, pre-student teaching host teacher, or principal must complete:  

    Tuition Refund Request Form and W-9 Form (non-US citizens submit a W-8BEN Form). 

    • Both forms are to be submitted within 30 days of the close of the semester during which the course was taken. (You will need to use your CMU ID number when completing the Tuition Refund Form and your social security number when completing the W-9 Form.)
    • The completed forms are to be submitted to: 

    Central Michigan University
    421 EHS Building / Tuition Refunds
    195 Ojibway Court
    Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859.

    • Your request will be verified for eligibility and the amount to be reimbursed.
    • Eligible refund requests will then be submitted to the Accounting Office. Please note that this process will take a minimum of 6 weeks from the date grades are posted.

    Changes in Federal Law

    As of January 2013 federal law requires all tuition refund recipients to complete a W-9 Form (non-US citizens submit a W-8BEN Form).  Recipients who have received $600 or more in tuition refunds will be sent a 1099-NEC form at the end of the calendar year for income tax purposes. 

    Changes in CMU refund procedure

    CMU is no longer mailing paper checks for tuition refunds.  Instead, the money will be put on the recipient's CMU account with access to the remaining balance via a money card or through direct deposit.  For questions on this process, please contact Student Account Services and Billing at (989)774-3618.

    If you have any questions regarding tuition refunds please contact Lori Moon, TEPD Executive Secretary at 989-774-4410.

    About SCECHS (State Continuing Education Clock Hours)

    Per the Michigan Department of Education, a school district can verify hours and upload State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECHs) for cooperating teachers in non-traditional programs (educators who host student teachers) into the Michigan Online Educator Certification System or the EPP can provide this service.  At the end of a qualifying clinical experience, CMU cooperating teachers will receive a letter of appreciation of service to use as verification with their district or they can complete CMU’s SCECH form for submission on their behalf. In appreciation of service to the profession, there is currently no charge for CMU cooperating teachers to file SCECHs through the Office of Educator Preparation Programs.

    Please note: Cooperating Teachers may only claim SCECHs once per experience. Violations will be reported to MDE.

    For questions regarding SCECHs please contact Educator Clinical Experiences at CMUedClinical@cmich.edu or 989-774-7662.