(a) Tuition and fees may be waived for any full-time or part-time professional employee of the community colleges under the program of the State University of New York or any full-time or part-time professional employee or appointee of the Research Foundation of State University of New York, who is enrolled in a State University unit in a course of instruction approved by the appointing officer as part of a training program for improved performance in the employee's present position or appointment.

(b) A maximum of six credit hours a term may be waived under this section for any person who is a part-time professional employee.