Join the Nation’s Largest Tuition Exchange Program-At No Cost
CIC’s Tuition Exchange Program (CIC–TEP) is a network of CIC member institutions who accept full-time employees, their spouses, and their dependents as students, tuition-free. CIC–TEP began almost 40 years ago when a small group of member presidents suggested CIC create a program with minimal rules to offer as a benefit to employees. Each participating institution agrees to offer admittance to at least three students on the same admission basis as they accept all other students, with no regard to the number of students it exports.
Thanks to CIC-TEP, tens of thousands of employees, their spouses, and dependents have attended college, tuition-free. Contact tep@cic.edu to enroll your institution in CIC-TEP.
CIC-TEP and TE
CIC and The Tuition Exchange, two major tuition exchange networks who provide tuition benefits to full-time employees and their families at member institutions, have partnered to simplify the tuition exchange process at participating institutions. Under the new partnership, students will submit a single application for award consideration in both exchange networks. CIC institutions are encouraged to award exchanges through the CIC-TEP program first, and then through other tuition exchanges as there are no program fees. Administrators on member campuses will track candidates and recipients through one system.
Special Features
- CIC–TEP consists of nearly 420 colleges and universities (roughly two-thirds of all CIC Members) from 48 states and five countries.
- CIC-TEP gives families a wide range of choice, including part-time, online, and/or study-abroad programs with baccalaureate, masters, doctoral research, arts, business, faith-related, health professions, and technology-related specialties.
- Last year, almost 2,000 students applied for the CIC–TEP benefit.
- On average, 50% of applicants receive at least one offer of admission.
- On average, five students per participating institution apply to participate in the program annually.
- No additional hidden fees with a CIC membership.
- The CIC–TEP benefit covers the full cost of tuition for students at all participating institutions.
- No import and export student balance requirements. There are no limitations on the number of students who can use the benefit.
- All full-time employees, spouses, and dependents of full-time employees at participating institutions are eligible to receive CIC-TEP benefits.
- Administering CIC–TEP is done through an online portal, with no added annual reporting requirements.
Search for Participating Institutions
Applying for CIC-TEP: For Students and Families
- Application Procedure
- Applicant Responsibilities
- 2026-2027 Application Form–Institutions are not required to review applications after April 1.
- 2027-2028 Application Launches July 1. Renewing students must create a new TE-EZ account to re-apply for CIC-TEP using the TE-EZ application.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Administering CIC-TEP: For Tuition Exchange Liaisons
- Beginning with the 2027–28 application cycle, launching July 1, 2026, administration of CIC-TEP will transition to the TELO system, hosted by Tuition Exchange. Please view the original announcement and FAQs for more information. All users must view a training session to access the TELO system. Email tep@cic.edu for more information.
- Application Procedure
- Liaison (TELO) Responsibilities
- 2026-2027 Application–Institutions are not required to review applications after April 1.
- 2027-2028 Application Launches July 1.
- CIC–TEP Online Portal to manage 2026-2027 applications sent and received by your institution.
- TE Portal to prepare for the 2027-2028 academic year.
New 2025-2026 Members
(for exchanges beginning in the 2026–2027 year)
- Indiana Wesleyan University (IN)
- McDaniel College (MD)
- Otterbein University (OH)
- San Francisco Bay University (CA)
- Schreiner University (TX)
Contact Information
Contact tep@cic.edu with questions.