Prepare for a successful conversation with your coach
This checklist will help you prepare for your policy coaching call and make the most of your time with an EdAssist® by Bright Horizons® policy coach. During these sessions, a coach will help you understand what’s included in your employer’s education assistance policy so you can get the most out of them.
Determining which coaching session is right for you
Depending on your employer’s plan and policy, you may have access to four different types of coaching through EdAssist. It’s important to book a session with the right type of coach based on your questions.
- Policy coaching: Answers specific and complex questions about your employers’ tuition assistance benefits.
- Academic coaching: Provides recommendations for programs, answers questions about degree requirements, and can offer guidance on returning to school based on your career goals.
- Financial coaching: Helps adult learners assess strategies to pay for continued schooling while meeting their other financial goals.
- Student loan coaching: Offers guidance around paying off student loans.
When to choose policy coaching
If your questions are primarily about what your employer will or won't cover, how the reimbursement process works, or whether a specific program qualifies under your benefits, policy coaching is the right choice.
If you have questions about how to pay for specific programs outside of your education assistance benefit, choose finance coaching. Or, if you’re wondering which programs to choose for specific career goals, opt for career coaching.
Remember: You aren’t limited to a single coaching session. You can book multiple sessions with different types of coaches, as long as your employer benefit includes the different coaching options.
Before you schedule your policy coaching call
- Locate your employer's education assistance policy, which can be found your benefits portal under the Benefits and Support tab.
- Note any sections of the policy that are confusing or unclear
- Write down the specific programs or schools you're considering
- Gather any correspondence you've received about your education benefits
- Check if you've already used any of your benefits this year
When scheduling your appointment
- Use the appointment notes section to share what you're thinking about
- Include links to any specific programs you're considering
- Note if you've already spoken with an academic coach and have program recommendations
- Flag any time-sensitive decisions like upcoming application deadlines or enrollment windows
Key questions to think about
You don't need to have definitive answers to all of these—just thinking about them will help guide your conversation.
About eligibility:
- Am I eligible based on my employment status and tenure?
- Is this type of program covered under my employer's policy?
- Are there any restrictions based on my job role or department?
About your situation:
- Am I currently enrolled in a program, or am I still exploring options?
- Have I used my education benefits before, or is this my first time?
- Has anything about my employment status changed recently, such as starting a new role or moving from part-time to full-time?
About the program you're considering:
- Is the program offered by an accredited institution?
- Is it a degree program, certificate, certification, or individual courses?
- Is it online, in-person, or hybrid?
- Is the program offered directly by the school, or through a third-party partner?
- How much does the program cost per semester or term?
About the reimbursement process:
- Do I need pre-approval before enrolling?
- What documentation will I need to submit and when?
- When and how do I submit for reimbursement, or does my employer offer direct-pay?
- What grades or outcomes are required to receive reimbursement?
Questions you might want to ask your coach
- Is [specific program/school] covered under my employer's policy?
- What's my annual benefit limit, and how much have I used so far?
- Does my employer require manager approval, and if so, how do I get it?
- What happens if I don't pass a course or need to withdraw?
- Are books, fees, and supplies covered, or just tuition?
- Can I take courses that aren't directly related to my current job?
- What's the deadline for submitting my reimbursement request?
- If I change jobs within the company, will my benefits transfer?
- Is there a service commitment required after I complete my program?
Information that may be helpful to have on hand
- Your employee ID and current job title
- Your hire date (some policies have tenure requirements)
- Desired school name
- Program name and type
- Cost per credit, or per term
- Desired program start date
- Any previous education benefit usage this calendar year
- Your manager's name (if approval is required)
- Screenshots or links to program information pages
Remember
- Policy coaches know your employer's specific benefits inside and out—they can answer questions that general resources can't.
- There's no such thing as a question that's too specific or too basic. Policy coaches have heard it all.
- Getting clarity before you enroll can save you from surprises later. It's much better to ask now than to find out a program isn't covered after you've already started.
- If your situation is complex and you’re considering multiple programs or have unusual circumstances, don't hesitate to schedule a follow-up call.
- Policy coaching can work hand-in-hand with other types of coaching. Many people talk to an academic coach first to identify programs, then follow up with a policy coach to confirm coverage.
