Crossword Genius

Boss promises to reimburse academic (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

studious

'academic' is the definition.
(academic can mean studious or scholarly)

'boss promises to reimburse' is the wordplay.
'boss' becomes 'stud' (both can mean a metal decoration).
'promises to reimburse' becomes 'IOUs' (promises to pay someone back).
'stud'+'ious'='STUDIOUS'

(Other definitions for studious that I've seen before include "with great care" , "Diligent; scholarly" , "Like a good schoolboy" , "Academic, diligent" , "Bookish, sedulous" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun, The Independent and The Sunday Times.
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