This blog goes out to all the hard working students out there! The ones who dream of a brighter future, and who can’t depend on mommy and daddy’s checkbook to get them there.
You know you need a degree to get the career you want. But, how will you pay? College is expensive! You’ve applied for scholarships and grants, and you got some. But, it’s just not enough. Do you really have to go into debt?
We’d like to suggest a different path – tuition assistance! We’ve scoured sites like Monster, The Balance, and US News, so you won’t have to.
Check out these 15 companies that are willing to help you with college expenses if you’re willing to do a little work for them.
1. Boeing
Boeing is an aerospace company that manufactures commercial jetliners, as well as defense, space, and security products. Boeing offers its Learning Together Program for full-time and half-time employees after one year of employment. Tuition assistance through the program is available for undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, as well as individual classes for studies strategic to Boeing’s business, even if it’s unrelated to your current job. There are no funding limits for studies in skill areas like engineering and technology fields.
2. Sprint
Sprint’s tuition-reimbursement program will cover 90% of eligible tuition expenses, up to $3,500 each year. Full-time employees are eligible, and part-time employees working 20 to 30 hours a week receive prorated tuition reimbursement.
3. Starbucks
All benefits-eligible United States employees of this coffee purveyor can have their full-time college tuition covered, essentially a free bachelor's degree. One important note on this program: Employees can only study at Arizona State University's online program.
4. Chipotle
Both hourly and salaried employees at this fast-food chain are eligible for tuition reimbursement. To offer this benefit, Chipotle partnered with Guild Education, which offers online classes, programs, and degrees from a variety of universities. Employees can work toward degrees (undergrad or graduate), take classes, earn a GED, or study ESL, eligible for up to $5,250 annually.
5. UPS
Part-time UPS employees who work in package handling can participate in the company's Earn and Learn Program, covering up to $25,000 in college expenses (each year, the program reimburses a maximum of $5,250). According to the company website, employees are eligible for this perk from their start data.
(Other education assistance programs are available for employees in different roles.)
5. Walmart
Like Starbucks, Walmart partnered with an educational institution — for Walmart, it's American Public University — as part of its educational assistant program. Both part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam's Club employees, as well as eligible family members, may receive a tuition grant that reduces the cost of courses by 15 percent. Employees who have a high school degree or GED are eligible on the first day of employment.
6. Home Depot
Tuition reimbursement rates for Home Depot employees vary by role — salaried employees can get up $5,000 annually, while full-time hourly employees are reimbursed up to $3,000 and part-time hourly employees can get up to $1,500 back.
7. Verizon
All employees at Verizon, the telecommunications giant, are eligible for up to $8,000 in tuition reimbursement each year. Verizon's program requires that classes be related to the business.
8. Smucker's
The J.M. Smucker's company makes more than jam — its brands include big names like Folgers, Pillsbury, and Meow Mix. The company offers up to 100 percent reimbursement for tuition costs for company-approved college courses.
9. AT&T
As part of its benefits package, AT&T offers tuition assistance — employees must meet certain eligibility requirements to get the reimbursement, and the costs must be approved by the company.
10. Proctor & Gamble
Up to 80 percent of tuition and fees are reimbursed at P&G, makers of a vast range of consumer and household goods. Employees must get programs and fees pre-approved, and there is a cap of $40,000 of reimbursed expenses.
11. JetBlue
The upscale airline runs a program known as JetBlue Scholars — employees can apply to enroll, and once accepted, take approved online courses. To be eligible, employees must have worked at JetBlue for two years, and have prior college credits in place.
12. BP
At this oil giant, there are many requirements for eligibility, but tuition reimbursement is a generous 90 percent of the costs of tuition, fees, and books. Among other requirements, employees must get approval for the classes in advance of registration and receive a passing grade.
13. Ford Company
This car company has a generous education program that will pay for up to $6,000 per year in tuition and fees in advance of class completion.
14. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
The automaker, through its labor agreement with the United Auto Workers, offers employees help with tuition and fees for job-related, degree-seeking courses at nationally and regionally accredited educational institutions. The tuition assistance plan administrators must review the courses to determine their eligibility for the assistance. The benefit is capped at no more than $5,000 annually.
15. Disney
The entertainment giant provides employees with tuition help for educational courses that relate to their job duties. Disney pays up to $700 per credit unit and covers the full purchase price of books as well as up to $100 per course for materials.
How DuGood Can Help
Want to graduate from college debt free? We may not offer a formal tuition assistance program, but we’d like to help. Be sure to check out our Scholarship Giveaway page. We’re accepting applications now. The deadline to enter is April 1.
Sources:
9 Companies with Solid Tuition-Reimbursement Programs by Caroline Zaayer Kaufman, monster.com
Top 15 Companies That Offer Tuition Reimbursement Programs by Madeleine Burry, theblance.com
7 Companies That Offer Employees College Cash as a Benefit by Arthur Murray, usnews.com
