# 2021-154 Pay and Benefits, Education Reimbursement Policies

Case summary

F&R Date: 2022-05-12

The grievor asserted that the two courses for which he was seeking reimbursement were outlined as being part of the study program when he initially registered his Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The grievor argued that the Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instructions 17/04 does not stipulate that a pre-approval must be resubmitted prior to receiving reimbursement. Further, the grievor maintained that the ILP policy framework does not convey the direction to students that there is a requirement for them to submit each course separately prior to their completion in order to receive financial assistance. The grievor also asserted that upon completing all required courses for his study program, a “capstone project” was to be completed prior to graduation. The grievor explained that he was academically approved to pursue this project and that he had to complete this project in order to complete the program. The grievor explained that he registered for a workshop that provided specific information for the project that he needed to do and maintains that the workshop should meet the financial reimbursement requirements, as extra support/tutoring was required for his academic success.

The Initial Authority (IA) found that with regard to the reimbursement for the cost of the two courses, the grievor could not be reimbursed in arrears or after completing the courses as he needed to receive a pre-authorization for the funding through the ILP process. With respect to the reimbursement for the cost of the workshop, the IA found that ILP-approved funding is limited to those courses required by an institution to obtain a particular degree and, as such, the grievor's ILP did not cover the workshop.

The Committee found that rejecting the grievor's request for an amendment, simply because it was made in arrears, is unreasonable. Since the grievor's request clearly falls within the aim of the education reimbursement program, the Canadian Defence Academy should have considered his request in light of the financial resources available at the time and rendered a decision based on that fact alone. With regard to the workshop, the Committee found that the grievor had the choice to select a topic that would not place an additional financial burden on the Canadian Armed Forces. The Committee noted that the workshop did not meet the criteria for reimbursement set out in Compensation Benefits Instructions for the Canadian Forces 210.80 and, as such, the grievor was not entitled to reimbursement for the workshop.