Employer cancelled tuition assistance

[plato001]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY
I've been receiving tuition assistance from my employer for the past two years for graduate classes (getting an MBA). The terms of the contract I signed state that I will have to repay the tuition assistance if I voluntarily leave the company within 3 years of receiving tuition reimbursement.

However, my employer chose to cancel the tuition assistance program this year, leaving me with a half-finished degree. Yet they didn't rescind that 3 year repayment provision for previously reimbursed classes.

Do you think my employer would be able to collect on this debt if I were to leave (either to return to school full-time, or find another employer with a tuition assistance program)? There was nothing in the contract that said they were under any obligation to help me finish my degree, only that they would pay for classes on a case-by-case basis. It's pretty slimy of them, but I think they have an airtight case against me.

Any advice would very much be appreciated.

[Antigone*of*Greece]

Originally Posted by plato001

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY
I've been receiving tuition assistance from my employer for the past two years for graduate classes (getting an MBA). The terms of the contract I signed state that I will have to repay the tuition assistance if I voluntarily leave the company within 3 years of receiving tuition reimbursement.

However, my employer chose to cancel the tuition assistance program this year, leaving me with a half-finished degree. Yet they didn't rescind that 3 year repayment provision for previously reimbursed classes.

Do you think my employer would be able to collect on this debt if I were to leave (either to return to school full-time, or find another employer with a tuition assistance program)? There was nothing in the contract that said they were under any obligation to help me finish my degree, only that they would pay for classes on a case-by-case basis. It's pretty slimy of them, but I think they have an airtight case against me.

Any advice would very much be appreciated.

Yes, you are correct, they have an air-tight case; they would be well-within their rights to collect from you if you leave early.