The cost of college is on the rise, and it’s not entirely because tuition has increased. Other expenses, like housing, meals, books, parking, fuel, car insurance, computers, and other basic school supplies all have increased as the cost of living has soared.
Fortunately, many companies will pay for your college. Tuition reimbursement programs or tuition assistance programs are offered as employee benefits. Through these programs, the employer reimburses their employees for a pre-determined amount that can be applied toward a college degree. This helps employees advance their skills and education, while significantly reducing out-of-pocket expenses and student loan debt.
Be sure to check all requirements, each company will have different terms and conditions. This is where reading the fine print will help you.
Getting A Job
If you can get a job that helps pay for college through tuition reimbursement, you’re a step ahead of the game. If you can get a job that helps pay for college and it’s in your field of study that’s a game changer. Not only will you be making and saving money, but you will also build skills, gain valuable experience, and develop. And you will grow a tight network of peers, professionals, and coworkers, and learn from those in your field. Getting a jump on your career which jump-starts your future. So many students struggle, How To Get An Entry-Level Job With No Experience, you wouldn’t have this problem.
If you have any problems understanding the process, go to HR (human resources) and ask them to walk you through it. That’s their job, they should be more than happy to give you information or help get you set up.
Amazon
Amount: Up To 100% of costs
Amazon: Amazon Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success, at Amazon or elsewhere. Amazon offers a range of options including fully-funded college tuition, foundational skills, and career certificates to meet learners where they are on their career path.
First Bank
Amount: $1,000 annually
First Bank: Pursue your academic goals to further your career with assistance from First Bank. We will reimburse you up to $1,000 annually for any job-related courses based on the grade received. All employees are also eligible to receive a tuition scholarship applicable to any degree the University of Mount Olive offers.
Bank of America
Amount: $7,500 annually
BofA: Under new education resources and support benefits, employees have access to expanded opportunities for learning and career development. They also have financial counseling and guidance for their children as they prepare for college.
Tuition assistance for employees increased to $7,500 per year (from $5,250). A pre-pay voucher option is now available and certain academic and professional certifications are eligible. A new College Coach benefit for employees with children in grades 8-12 helps you plan for and navigate the college admissions process.
Wells Fargo
Amount: $5,000 annually
Wells Fargo: Your professional development is encouraged and supported, which is why Wells Fargo will reimburse you for eligible tuition expenses up to $5,000 annually.
Wells Fargo also has scholarships for dependent children.
Several scholarships are offered to children of employees every year. Your children can apply to receive awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Citi Bank
Amount: $5,250 annually
Citi Bank: Qualified expenses and fees up to a maximum of $5,250.00 for undergraduate degree courses and certificate programs. $7,500.00 for graduate degree courses and graduate certificate programs are eligible for payment (less taxes if applicable) per calendar year.
Capital One
Amount: $5,250 annually
Capital One: Did you know that Capital One offers a generous tuition reimbursement program? Through Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions™, the Educational Assistance program allows all full-time or part-time associates to get reimbursed up to $5,250 per year.
Fidelity
Amount: $10,000 annually
Fidelity: The Tuition Reimbursement Program reimburses 90% of qualified tuition expenses up to a maximum limit of $10,000 per calendar year. The program limit is calculated on the end date of the course.
Publix
Amount: $4,000 annually
Publix: Publix does not limit participation to full-time associates. Any associate with 90 days of continuous service who works an average of 10 hours a week is eligible to participate with his or her manager’s approval. For college and university enrollment:
$4,000 annual calendar limit
$16,000 maximum limit
Kroger
Amount: Up to $21,000
Kroger: Kroger offers up to $21,000 for both part-time and full-time associates. Kroger encourages lifelong learning for their associates, enabling everything from GEDs to Ph.D. degrees.
Hannaford
Amount: $5,250 annually
Hannaford: The new Groceries to Grads tuition reimbursement program will offer associates who work a minimum of 10 hours per week up to $5,250 in tuition funds annually. The funding can be used at any accredited college or university. There are additional tuition discounts available at partner universities within Hannaford’s network.
Chipotle
Amount: $5,250 annually
Chipotle: Chipotle offers employees 100% tuition coverage for select programs, and up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement. They partnered with Guild Education, which offers online classes, programs, high school diplomas, and degrees from a variety of universities.
Starbucks
Amount: 100% annually
Starbucks: At Starbucks, every eligible U.S. partner working part- or full-time receives 100% tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree. The degree must be obtained through Arizona State University’s online program. I currently have a family member taking advantage of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP).
Chick-fil-A
Amount: Varies annually
Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A offers tuition discounts and grants to Team Members (and sometimes their families, too). These discounts can be applied to more than 100 colleges and universities through a partnership with Scholarship America. The list includes private institutions such as Boston University and Oglethorpe University; public research institutions like Purdue University; and many online universities and programs. Check out the full list.
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Amount: $2,000 annually
KFC: The REACH Educational Grant Program helps you pursue your dream of going to college. Employees of any age, any position, and pursuing any degree could receive money to help them attend the accredited four-year or two-year college, trade/vocational school, or graduate school of their choice.
Managers who are selected will receive a $4,000 grant; previous REACH Grant recipients receive $3,500 and first-time winners receive $3,000. Each REACH Grant is a one-time award, but winners may re-apply and, if selected again, win every calendar year.
Home Depot
Amount: $6,000 annually (full-time) and $3,000 annually (part-time)
Home Depot: Tuition reimbursement program rates for Home Depot employees vary by job position. Full-time associates get up to $6,000 per year. A part-time associate can get up to $3,000 a year. Immediate family members can get $2,500 per year.
Lowe’s
Amount: $2,500 annually
Lowe’s: Lowe’s new education program offers debt-free tuition assistance to associates seeking to earn undergraduate certificates or degrees, or enroll in English language learning, high school completion, or college prep programs. The education benefit is designed for busy working adults. Programs include flexible classes that fit different schedules, fully covered textbooks and course fees, and one-on-one support from Guild coaches. Lowe’s will continue to provide direct payments of up to $2,500 annually in tuition assistance for more than 165 additional academic programs serving associates to reduce the burden of up-front, costly tuition payments.
Kaiser Permanente
Amount: $3,000 annually
Kaiser: Kaiser Permanente employees who work at least 20 hours a week may receive tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 annually for successfully completing eligible courses.
Anthem, Inc.
Amount: $5,000 annually
Anthem: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced a new collaboration with Western Governors University (WGU) to offer eligible Anthem associates a virtually free graduate degree. Anthem’s parent company is one of the first companies in the nation to provide a program that allows employees to complete a graduate degree with minimal out-of-pocket costs.
This new benefit is available to any Anthem full-time or part-time employee who works 20 or more hours per week and has been employed for at least six months. WGU will provide eligible Anthem associates with a five percent discount on tuition and offer 20 $1,000 scholarships toward a master’s degree program. Combined with Anthem’s Education Assistance Program, the out-of-pocket tuition costs of the first year of the program may be reduced to just $175. Anthem offers associates tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually through its Education Assistance Program.
Trinity Health
Amount: $2,500 annually
Trinity Health: All full-time and part-time employees of Trinity Health System who have successfully completed their 6-month introductory period are eligible to apply for Tuition Reimbursement. RNs and BSNs are eligible upon hire. Full-time employees may be reimbursed tuition costs up to $2,500.00 per calendar year for undergraduate and $3,000.00 per calendar year for graduate-level courses (before taxes). Part-time employees are eligible for Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,400.00 per calendar year and $2,000.00 per calendar year for graduate-level courses (before taxes).
Baxter
Amount: $5,250 annually
Baxter: Baxter’s Educational Assistance Program invests in employee growth and professional development by reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for undergraduate courses at accredited institutions. A separate program, that requires management approval, provides tuition assistance for graduate coursework.
GEICO
Amount: $5,250 annually
GEICO: Eligible Geico employees may apply for tuition assistance at more than 220 schools and education providers to help with their bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, associate degree, certificate program and individual courses.
State Farm
Amount: $12,750 annually
State Farm: State Farm selected Bellevue University for this amazing new education program because they are a world leader in helping working adults earn college degrees.
Bellevue University offers many advantages to help you balance work, life, and family obligations with school. For those that qualify, you can transfer previous credits into your degree. Bellevue has more than 50 career-relevant bachelor’s degrees.
Walgreens
Amount: varies
Walgreens: Looking to earn your undergraduate or graduate degree? Walgreens University partners with several world-class academic institutions to offer you tuition discounts, a wide variety of programs, and the flexibility to take classes online or in person. Through these partnerships, Walgreens employees (and possibly immediate family members) may be eligible for tuition savings of 10-25%.
CVS
Amount: $1,500 annually
CVS: Get a degree for free: CVS Health has direct contractual relationships with SEI (Capella University & Strayer University) and Colorado Technical University (CTU) for over 30-degree programs with no out-of-pocket cost to you when using tuition reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement: Up to $3,000 annually for degree programs and up to $1,500 for approved non-degree programs, including the career online high school program. Eligibility: Full-time colleagues (regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week) eligible first day of the month following the hire date. Part-time colleagues (under 30 hours) are eligible after one year of service.
Intuit
Amount: $5,250 annually (full-time), $2,625 annually (part-time)
Intuit: Regular full- and part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week who are in good standing are eligible to participate. Those employees working 20–29 hours per week will receive a prorated amount per calendar year.
AT&T
Amount: $5,250 annually
AT&T: The AT&T Non-Management Tuition Assistance Plan provides reimbursement for employees who are working to attain academic degrees that are beneficial for the employee and for the Company.
Verizon
Amount: $13,250 annually (full-time) $8,000 (part-time) annually
Verizon: Verizon and Bellevue University have teamed up to make your university degree affordable. When you combine our tuition assistance with Bellevue University’s support, full-time employees can qualify for up to $13,250 per year.
T-Mobile
Amount: $5,250 annually
T-Mobile: It’s never too late to go back to school. After 90 days of employment, you’ll become eligible for classes directly related to your position or another role at T-Mobile. Classes must be approved in advance. T-Mobile pays schools directly for tuition on behalf of eligible employees when courses are completed successfully with a C- or better, up to $5,250 annually for full-time employees and $2,500 for part-time employees. Even better, T-Mobile partners with several schools that offer full tuition.
Comcast/Xfinity
Amount: $5,750 annually
Comcast/Xfinity: Champlain College Online’s truED Alliance offers preferred pricing for industry-driven academic programs to Comcast employees, their spouses, domestic partners, and eligible adult dependents. truED students can earn an accredited college degree from a nonprofit college committed to helping them achieve their career goals quickly.
In addition to your preferred tuition rate, Comcast supports your education with tuition reimbursement of up to $5,750/year for undergraduate programs and $8,000/year for graduate programs. You will need to talk to your manager or HR about eligibility, rules, and restrictions. Please note that in order to qualify for these funds, your course applications must be submitted to the EdAssist website and approved by your Manager before the course start date.
Procter & Gamble
Amount: $40,000 cap
P&G: P&G offers a very generous Tuition Reimbursement Plan that allows employees to seek continuing education courses or programs that are related to their current or potential next assignment within the company. P&G will reimburse 80% of tuition and qualifying fees with a lifetime cap of $40,000 on company-reimbursed expenses.
Tractor Supply Co
Amount: $5,000 annually
Tractor Supply Co: Continuing Education and Professional Development: Tractor Supply offers dozens of continuing education courses and leadership development opportunities, including a mentoring program. The Company also offers tuition reimbursement for approved degree programs.
Walmart / Sam’s Club
Amount: 100% annually
Walmart: Walmart has a great tuition reimbursement program. They will pay 100% of college tuition and books for associates through its Live Better U (LBU) education program. LBU offers associate’s, bachelor’s, certificates, as well as high school diplomas. Since launching LBU in 2018, more than 52,000 associates have participated in the program to date. Approximately 8,000 have already graduated.
Target
Amount: $5,250 annually
Target: Target offers industry-leading education assistance benefits to support your continuous learning as you build skills for a lifetime. Through our Dream to Be program, in partnership with Guild, team members have access to debt-free options from 250 business-aligned programs across more than 40 schools, in addition to tuition reimbursement, educational institution discounts, and more.
Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, & Athleta
Amount: $5,000
Tuition Reimbursement Application: Employees of Gap and its sister companies, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta are eligible for the tuition reimbursement program after working for the company for a year. For employees looking to develop skills related to their job, the tuition reimbursement program covers up to 100% of tuition for up to two classes per term, 100% of up to two books per term, and approved fees. In total, the program will reimburse up to $5,000 a year.
Best Buy
Amount: $3,500 annually
Best Buy: Best Buy’s Tuition Assistance Policy is designed to build on its goal of becoming a world-class learning organization. To participate in the Tuition Assistance Program you must meet the following requirements: you are an active, full-time Best Buy employee, in good standing, working at least 32 hours per week; you have completed six months of continuous service on or before the course start date; and you are listed as a full-time Best Buy employee in the HRIS system, at both the course start date and reimbursement date. You will receive the following benefit for approved expenses incurred and associated with an eligible course of study up to a calendar-year maximum of $3,500 for undergraduate and $5,250 for graduate-level coursework.
UPS
Amount: $5,250 annually
UPS: Working while going to school is a necessity for many people trying to achieve a rewarding career. However, what if you could get a weekly paycheck, pay for college, and attend class, all while actively training for your future career goals? It can happen, and UPS can help.
Through Earn and Learn, their tuition assistance program, you can receive thousands of dollars to help with college expenses. Available at most UPS locations across the nation, the program will give you a big boost as you earn your degree—and set you up for career success.
FedEx
Amount: $5,250 annually
FedEx: FedEx employees can receive help with college tuition for qualifying classes and degrees. Full-time employees can receive $5,250 per year and part-time employees can receive $2,500.
CarMax
Amount: $5,250 annually
Carmax: Training and development are huge parts of our success. As long as you have the desire, we can cultivate the skills you need to build an amazing career. Tuition reimbursement for eligible courses is another valuable part of our training. We’re doing things right, according to Training magazine. Find us on their 2021 Top 100 list. The CarMax Tuition Assistance Program is open to full-time and part-time employees pursuing a General Education Development (GED), associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Assistance is also available for English as a Second Language (ESL) and literacy-related courses. The program reimburses up to $5,250 per year for full-time associates and $2,500 for part-time workers, including the cost of tuition, books, and required course-related fees.
Chevron
Amount: $5,000 annually
Chevron: Chevron’s Educational Assistance Program offers reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of tuition, learning platform subscription, required books, and fees, up to a total of $5,000, for courses and training to help you prepare for other employment opportunities as part of your career transition. The coursework does not have to be related to the type of work you do at Chevron. Prior to starting a course or training program, be sure to review the Educational Assistance Program policy for more information about what is and is not a qualifying course and reimbursable expenses under the policy.
Boeing
Amount: 3,000 annually
Boeing: Education Assistance (EA), as administered by the IAM/Boeing Joint Programs, supports a broad range of education, training, and personal development opportunities by providing limited monetary funding for tuition and required fees for approved education and training courses.
The EA Program is committed to encouraging active IAM-represented employees to seek continuous education and training opportunities for personal growth and development. For information on funding for accredited institutions, please refer to the Boeing Learning Together Program. Please contact a QTTP Career Advisor with questions. In addition to individual educational and training opportunities, the EA program may fund off-hour ERT minimum training requirement classes based on the availability of individual funds. IAM/Boeing Joint Programs encourages all members to meet with a QTTP Advisor to determine the best funding options for these types of courses.
Disney
Amount: 100%
Disney: Includes Educational reimbursement and Disney Aspire, which pays 100% tuition upfront at network schools for full-time and part-time hourly employees. As part of our educational opportunities, we’re investing in the futures of hourly employees and cast members with our education investment program, Disney Aspire. Through this program, we hope to foster passion through education, promote confidence, and help employees and cast members focus on what really matters – reaching their dreams.
Tyson Foods
Amount: 100%
Tyson Foods, announced a milestone investment to provide free education for all U.S. team members. U.S. team members will have the ability to attain master’s, undergraduate, and associate degrees, career certificates, and literacy and technology fundamentals – all for free.
Tyson is partnering with social impact company Guild to expand its existing Upward Academy program to include access to more than 175 programs from over 35 of the nation’s top universities and learning providers. The four-year, $60 million investment will cover 100% of all tuition, books, and fees for team members.
Raising Cane’s
Amount: $5,250 annually
Raising Cane’s: has tuition reimbursement for full-time Restaurant managers, Restaurant support office Crewmembers and Business Unit Crewmembers to use anytime throughout the year. Crewmembers may use tuition reimbursement for any program of study and any degree type.
Taco Bell
Amount: 100%
Taco Bell: is investing in their employees through programs that help them receive their high school diplomas and pursue post-secondary education passions.
Whether you want to pursue a career with Taco Bell or utilize their career opportunities as a launching pad for your dreams, they want to be a part of your story. Through the Live Más Scholarship, GED certification program, or getting a degree.
Five Guys‘
Amount: 100% for select programs or $5,250 annually
FIve Guys’: has a Tuition Assistance Program, in partnership with Guild. They have undergraduate degrees, certificates, boot camps, high school /GED completion, college prep, and English language learning.
McDonald’s
Amount: 100%
McDonald’s: If you are ready to get started working toward your college degree, Archways to Opportunity® offers programs to help make your goals a reality – in a way that fits your lifestyle.
You can graduate from high school by taking classes online – whenever and wherever it’s convenient for you – through Career Online High School. And, you may be able to apply credits from high school courses you’ve already completed.
White Castle
Amount: 10% tuition discount
White Castle: has Tuition Reimbursement benefits for salary and hourly team members who are enrolled in a degree program offered through Indiana Wesleyan University. They offer classes online and through more than a dozen education centers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
—Sensei
