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Benefits Buzz

September 2021 benefit updates, news, and events

Events

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Benefits that make a difference when sending your kids to college


Wednesday, October 6

12:00 – 12:45 p.m.


Whether your child has their sights on AU or another university, American University offers three dependent children education benefits that help you pay for tuition and make college attainable.


Explore the AU Tuition Scholarship, the Tuition Exchange, and cash grants to find the benefit that best suits your family's needs. The virtual workshop covers eligibility, deadlines, and the application process.

Register to attend the dependent education workshop
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Is your child a future eagle?

Get your teen excited about becoming a student at AU


Wednesday, October 6

7:00 – 8:00 p.m.


If your child is a junior or senior in high school, don’t forget to add AU to their list of schools to check out.


The Office of Enrollment and Human Resources are holding a webinar exclusively for dependent children of AU faculty and staff. Your child can explore AU’s programs, academics, and campus life. You learn how to maximize the education benefits available to you and your child.

Register to attend the information session for children of AU faculty & staff

Don't miss your flu shot on campus

No-cost for faculty and staff September 20 - October 13

Various locations on campus.


Visit the AhealthyU flu website to register in advance to get your no-cost flu shot at a convenient campus location. Appointments are highly encouraged as walk-in appointments are subject to availability.


Open to all AU faculty and staff, regardless of your health insurance provider. Flu shots are courtesy of AhealthyU, The Office of Human Resources, CareFirst®, and Kaiser Permanente®. You must present your AU ID at your appointment.

Do you know how to Retire Well?

AU’s popular pre-retirement program is back to help you articulate your vision of retirement and provide tools to design a strategy for a successful retirement.


Visit the Retire Well site for full workshop descriptions or register to attend by clicking on the session.


News & Updates

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Limited-time offer for virtual tutoring

Strengthen comprehension, boost confidence and build learning skills


Now through December 31, 2021, you can exchange one of your Bright Horizons® back-up care days for four one-hour virtual tutoring sessions for your child or teen, ages 5-18. AU shares the cost of tutoring with you, so your program rate is $15 total for the four sessions.


All full-time faculty and staff get 15 emergency back-up care days per year.

Learn more about Bright Horizons virtual tutoring and back-up care
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The Child Development Center Welcomes Back Students

 

AU’s educational program for pre-school children ages 2-1/2 to 6 years welcomed students back on August 30. The Center provides high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education. In addition, we’ve implemented health and safety protocols to ensure that our children and staff have a safe environment to interact and grow.


Open to all AU community members, there are still a few openings available.

Visit the Child Development Center website

FSA Deadlines Extended for 2020 and 2021


If you elected to contribute to a flexible spending account for healthcare or childcare in 2020 or 2021, you still have time to spend your money! Because of COVID-19, our daily routines were disrupted, and you may not have had the chance to spend your FSA funds. The IRS and American University have extended the deadlines to give you additional opportunities to spend down your accounts.


Don’t forget, FSA contributions are subject to the use-it-or-lose-it rule, which means, if you don’t spend it, you lose whatever funds are still in your account once the deadline passes.


2020 FSAs

  • Spend by December 31, 2021
  • Submit claims by January 31, 2022


2021 FSAs

  • Spend by December 31, 2022
  • Submit claims by January 31, 2023


To view your balance for your FSA accounts, visit Optum Financial (formerly ConnectYourCare).


ConnectYourCare is Now Optum Financial


Our flexible spending accounts (FSA) and commuter benefits administrator, ConnectYourCare, is now Optum Financial. They have been transitioning their branding over the past few months, and although their service is still the same, you will be redirected to Optum Financial’s secure website if you visit the ConnectYourCare website or use their mobile app. You’ll need to re-register with Optum Financial to access your account information.


Don’t forget that commuter benefits need to be elected by the 10th of each month for the following month.

If you have any questions about your benefits, email hrpayrollhelp@american.edu.

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