Benefits

Benefits Overview

To us, a healthy employee means a healthy workplace. Below you will find a selection of benefit offerings available to full-time and part-time SVA Staff and Faculty.

Questions? Contact the SVA Benefits Service Center: mybenefits@sva.edu  ·  1-844-375-7500 (M–F, 9am–5pm ET)  ·  Live chat

Open Enrollment happens each November. Elections take effect January 1. If you make no changes, your current elections roll over automatically. Watch the Open Enrollment Videos ›
Health

Full-time administrative employees qualify after completing 1 month of employment; part-time employees qualify after 90 days; faculty qualify after 90 days. Upon eligibility, you have 31 days to enroll. After the initial eligibility period, you may enroll during open enrollment in November (for January participation), or within 31 days of a qualifying event (birth, adoption, loss of coverage, marriage, or divorce).

SVA provides medical coverage through Cigna HealthCare. Two plan choices are available: Integrated Open Access Plus and a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Employees may elect coverage for a spouse, children, or domestic partner.

Contact Cigna at 800-244-6224 or cigna.com. Prescription plan is managed by Express Scripts: 800-334-8134.

Yes. SVA extends medical and dental plan eligibility to domestic partners of eligible employees. Partners must be at least 18, have shared the necessities of life for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, and neither party can be currently married to someone else.

Required documentation includes a notarized Declaration of Domestic Partnership and two forms of evidence of commitment (e.g. joint lease, joint bank account, shared address on a bill or license).

You may extend your health insurance for up to 18 months through COBRA. Note that COBRA coverage is considerably more expensive than normal premiums — the Healthcare Exchange is also worth considering. Contact the Benefits Service Center for details.

HIPAA

This document explains how SVA uses medical information under our group health plan, when additional authorization is needed, and your rights under the regulations.

View HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices (PDF)

Required when you ask SVA to intercede on your behalf using personal health information — for example, to dispute a claim, check a claim payment status, or inquire about applied deductibles.

View HIPAA Release Authorization Form (PDF)

401(k)

Eligible employees may enroll during quarterly enrollment periods (January, April, July, and October). To enroll for the first time, visit the Voya Enrollment Center.

Plan Number: 559685  ·  Verification Number: 55968599

To review or change your contributions and investment allocations, log in at Voya Financial Retirement Plans. First-time users can register from the login page.

You have three options: keep investments in the SVA plan, roll over to another plan, or take a distribution. HR/Benefits will explain all options in detail upon departure. If you leave with an outstanding loan balance, arrangements can be made with Voya to continue repayment — otherwise the balance is treated as a distribution and may be subject to tax and a 10% early withdrawal penalty if you are under 59½.

Time Off

Full-time administrative employees are eligible for 4 personal days per year (February 1 – January 31), prorated if hired after February 1. All part-time employees receive 2 paid personal days per year. Personal days do not carry over.

Full-time employees become eligible after 5 months of employment:

  • 5 months: 3 days
  • 6–12 months: 1 additional day per month worked
  • Years 1–3: 2 weeks
  • Years 4–6: 3 weeks
  • Years 7–14: 4 weeks
  • Year 15+: 5 weeks

Part-time employees become eligible after 24 consecutive months, then follow the same schedule above (starting at 2 weeks). Vacation days must be used in the year earned; unused days may be carried over for up to 90 days into the next accrual year. Requests must be submitted via Kronos at least two weeks in advance.

Log into the Kronos timekeeping system via your MyID dashboard to submit requests and view your available balances. Questions? Contact payroll@sva.edu.

Bereavement: All full-time and part-time employees receive up to 3 paid working days for the death of an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, sibling, in-laws, grandparent, or grandchild). If travel is required, 2 additional days are granted. 1 day is provided for the death of a more distant relative.

Parental Leave: View the Parental Leave Policy (PDF)

TransitChek

TransitChek lets you set aside pre-tax (and post-tax) dollars to pay for monthly mass transit and parking expenses, reducing your taxable income. To enroll, visit healthequity.com/wageworks, then download and return the TransitChek Participation Form to hrbenefits@sva.edu (required by NYC law).

To cancel or make changes, visit wageworks.com or call 1-877-924-3967.

Tuition Waiver & Assistance

Administrative staff and faculty are eligible to take SVA courses (Continuing Education, non-degree, or degree-seeking) tuition-free. See the applicable policy for eligibility requirements:

Administrative Staff Tuition Waiver Policy (PDF)

Faculty Tuition Waiver Policy (PDF)

Full-time administrative employees who have completed 12 continuous months of employment may apply for tuition assistance for courses at another accredited institution, provided the courses relate to their current position. See the Tuition Assistance Policy (PDF).

Dental

Full-time administrative employees qualify after 1 month; part-time employees qualify after 12 consecutive months; instructors qualify after one year. You have 31 days from your eligibility date to enroll, or you may enroll during open enrollment, within 31 days of a status change, or within 31 days of loss of primary coverage.

SVA’s dental carrier is Cigna. Contact them at 800-997-1654 or cigna.com. Use the Find feature on their site to locate in-network dentists.

Discount Opportunities

Up to 10% off auto and 5% off home/renters insurance. Visit libertymutual.com/svaemployees or call a dedicated SVA representative: NY residents 212-459-1300 x6418  ·  NJ residents 212-480-2455 x54489.

Up to 12% off monthly Verizon service fees. Visit verizonwireless.com/discounts and enter your SVA email address.

All SVA employees may purchase select computer equipment at substantial savings through svacampusstore.com. Administrative staff and faculty who have completed 6 months of employment are eligible for an interest-free computer loan (repayable within one year). Submit a Loan Request form with a Campus Store quote to HR for approval.

Museum Benefits page — free and discounted memberships at museums across NYC.

Discounted movie passes available at the SVA Campus Store (207 E. 23rd St, M–F 10am–6pm): AMC passes $11 each, Regal passes $9.50 each. Limit 4 per person.