You are here: American University Human Resources Benefits Overview

Benefits for full-time faculty & staff

What You Won't See Elsewhere

200% Retirement Match

After a year at AU or other university or non-profit, we give eligible part-time and full-time faculty and staff $2 for every $1 on the first 5%. And it's yours right away - immediate vesting. That's like giving yourself a 10% raise or a 200% return on your investment.

College Tuition for Children

4 years college tuition for your child at AU, Wesley Seminary or in Tuition Exchange scholarship network. Just work for us for 2 years. Undergrad tuition benefits are tax-free.

AU Tuition for You and Your Spouse or Domestic Partner

Unlimited undergrad and grad education - 8 credits per semester up to 20 credits per year, for as many years as you wish. And it doesn't have to be job-related. Just work for us for the university for 4 months. The tuition may be taxable but it is free. You're covered at Wesley Seminary too.

Retiree Medical, Dental and Tuition Benefits

We keep you covered even when you retire. If you're with us for a long time, you get tuition benefits for you and your family, too.

Annual, Sick, and Holiday Leave

Not many employers will give you the day off to vote in a presidential election or to attend an event on Inauguration Day in addition to 10 paid holidays. Our full-time staff get 12 - 21 days of annual leave and 12 days of sick leave and eligible part-time staff get up to 7 days of sick leave a year.

Parental Leave for Child Bonding 

Parental leave is used for bonding with a newborn infant or child placed in a household through adoption or foster care. Full-time staff and faculty with at least one year of continuous service are eligible to receive paid Parental Leave. Eligible full-time staff and library faculty receive 8 weeks of paid leave and faculty receive one semester of paid leave.

Family and Medical Leave

We're in Washington DC. That means eligible full- and part-time staff get 16 weeks for your own medical care PLUS an additional 16 weeks for family care. In some cases the leave is paid.

Alternative Therapy Coverage

Our medical benefits include acupuncture and chiropractic care. Plus you get discounts for yoga and massage therapy.

Travel Inoculation Coverage

Our medical benefits include inoculations for your global travel.

Short Term Medical Leave

Full-time staff and library faculty with six or more months of service are eligible for Short Term Medical Leave (STML). Short Term Medical Leave provides up to 26 weeks of income protection if you are unable to work due to a non-occupational illness or injury, at no cost to you.

Long Term Disability

Again, not what you want to think about, but you get 60% of your income PLUS your 15% retirement contributions AND you can stay in our health and dental plans PLUS if you're with us for at least 5 years, you still get tuition benefits.

Child Development Center

We offer a top early childhood education center on main campus that is partially-subsidized for our faculty and staff.

Emergency Back-Up Dependent Care

Center-based child care and in-home care are available through the Back-Up Care Advantage Program by Bright Horizons for your children or adult/elder relative when regular arrangements fall through.

 

American University makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information that appears on the benefits site. However, if there are discrepancies between the information presented and the legal documents governing a plan or program (the "plan documents"), the plan documents will always govern. American University reserves the right to amend or terminate any benefit plan at its sole discretion at any time, for any reason.

2024 Workday Transition

Changes to payroll deductions for bi-weekly staff

Beginning with the January 5, 2024 paycheck, bi-weekly employees will see certain deductions taken from 24 paychecks annually instead of the current 26 due to the Workday migration. Deductions won't be taken from the third paycheck in months with three pay periods. 

Changing from every paycheck to 24 pay periods per year

Benefit deductions

  • Auto & Home Insurance

  • Dental

  • Flexible Spending Accounts
    • Fees
    • Dependent Care FSA
    • Health Care FSA
  • Long Term Disability
  • Medical
  • Metro Pass
  • Optional Life & A&D
  • Pet Insurance

Non-Benefit Related Deductions

 

  • AU Foundation
  • Child Development Center
  • Emergency Loan Payment
  • Parking (AU/WCL Monthly Permit)
  • RecFit Membership
  • Season Tickets

Deductions withheld every paycheck

  • Payroll taxes
  • Retirement contributions
  • Union-related dues and fees