Mercy Health and Youngstown State University are excited to announce an expanded partnership to eliminate financial obstacles for Mercy Health employees enrolled in health care pathways at YSU through a prepaid tuition program, also known as deferred tuition.
This initiative aims to enhance accessibility to higher education by ensuring Mercy Health employees have tuition benefit dollars in-hand prior to YSU’s tuition payment due dates. This will remove initial out-of-pocket costs previously paid by Mercy Health employees enrolled at YSU.
“Cultivating the next generation of health care professionals is essential to ensuring our patients receive high-quality, compassionate health care, now and in the decades to come. As part of our efforts to bolster workforce development in the Mahoning Valley, Mercy Health is committed to removing barriers that stand in the way of our employees advancing their careers,” said Dr. John Luellen, president, Mercy Health – Lorain and Youngstown. "For many, finances are a deciding factor when it comes to pursuing higher education. Now our employees pursuing a degree at YSU will no longer have to wait for tuition reimbursement. It is our hope that this partnership with YSU will encourage pursuit of health care careers and fill the talent pipeline."
This program is available to Mercy Health employees, whether full-time, part-time, or PRN (pro re nata), as part of the organization’s education benefits program – a benefit that can be accessed on the very first day of employment. The education benefits program focuses on supporting associates who wish to transition into a variety of clinical health care roles, regardless of their current position. The goal is to align educational benefits with an employee’s long-term career aspirations, fostering growth and development within the organization.
Prepaid tuition through the deferred tuition benefit eases the financial strain on students by offering a flexible payment option. Traditionally, students would pay tuition out-of-pocket according to the institution’s payment schedule and then submit for reimbursement. Now, employees will have employer funds up front to pay tuition before its due.
Lessening financial concerns empowers students to focus on their academics, fosters a more conducive learning environment, and encourages academic success. This program will also increase the number of trained health care workers in the community, while potentially growing enrollment and retention rates as students can pursue their studies without financial constraints hindering their progress.
“We are committed to providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for meaningful careers in health care. This expanded partnership with Mercy Health removes financial barriers and enables more students to pursue their academic and professional goals without the burden of upfront tuition costs,” stated Sara Michaliszyn, dean, Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, YSU. “This partnership strengthens the pipeline of skilled health care professionals who will serve our region for years to come.”
Mercy Health and YSU have long been valuable partners. Together, they’ve developed clinical opportunities for students in various health care programs, while also maintaining other education benefit programs. The partnership between Mercy Health and YSU underscores both institutions’ commitment to empowering clinical students and fostering a flourishing academic community.