A few years ago, you would be lucky to find an employer that offered some sort of tuition assistance. The amount was usually capped at a few thousand dollars. Although any amount to
pay for college is extremely helpful, it's nothing compared to what employers are offering now.
To entice younger employees, major companies have begun offering massive college tuition benefits, like tuition reimbursement. Some of them are even paying for all
college costs.
If you are planning to work through college anyway, why not start your career with an employer that will make attending college less expensive for you? This is a great summer,
part-time job idea! Additionally, you'll gain invaluable
work experience that could mean a full-time position within the company – or elsewhere – after graduation.
Below, you'll find a few of your options that will help you pay for college. A few of these companies are offering these student-focused perks to part-time employees, too!
Companies that Cover All Tuition
In recent years, more and more companies have announced that they will begin covering 100% of
college tuition for their employees. These are big name companies that likely have a retail center, office space, or distribution center near you.
Target offers its employees
free college tuition to 40+ colleges and universities across the United States. The retail giant will also cover course fees and textbooks. This perk is available for part-time employees.
Target’s Debt-Free Degrees pays institutions directly. Additionally, graduate students can earn up to $5,250 for non-master’s degrees and up to $10,000 for master’s degrees.
Amazon isn't just covering college tuition for employees. It will also provide funding for course costs, textbooks, and fees. After 90 days of work, employees can have their
semester pre-paid by Amazon.
Walmart employees can earn high school diplomas, college degrees, skilled trades, and professional certificates at no cost. The company will cover all costs for select online programs from universities like,
The University of Arizona,
University of Arkansas, and
Purdue University. This perk is available for part-time employees.
Companies that Provide Tuition Reimbursement
Not all companies cover the full cost of tuition, but the amount of tuition reimbursement they do provide is enough to make a large dent in what students will pay. Plus, many of these programs apply to part-time employees, meaning students can get paid on top of being reimbursed for a portion of their tuition.
At
Home Depot, full-time salary employees can receive up to $5,000 a year, full-time hourly employees $3,000, and part-time hourly up to $ 1,500 per year. Tuition reimbursement can be applied to the college, university, or technical school of the employee’s choice, if the courses meet eligibility requirements.
UPS employees can claim up to $5,250, with a lifetime maximum of $25,000, and are eligible for tuition assistance on the first day that they're hired. Employees can use their tuition assistance on any subject of their choice.
Publix offers tuition assistance to employees that take courses that contribute to their job performance, enroll in occupational or technical programs, or acquire undergraduate degrees in select majors. Employees can claim up to $4,000 per year and a lifetime maximum of $16,000. For other courses, programs and majors outside of what Publix has specified, employees can receive up to $2,200 per year and a lifetime maximum of $4,400.
This benefit is available to full-time employees as well as part-time. They just need to work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement after 90 days of employment.
Full-time employees at
Lowes are eligible for up to $2,500 per year to assist with tuition, fees, and books. Tuition assistance can be applied to Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees.
At
Apple, full-time employees can receive up to $5,250 per year toward college costs. Employees can also take advantage of free courses at Apple University to enhance financial, software, and business skills.
Wells Fargo employees will be awarded up to $5,000 per year toward education expenses. Part-time employees can earn $2,500. They also provide scholarships for dependent children of employees that range from $1,000 to $3,000.
Scholarships from Employers
In addition to tuition reimbursement, some employees offer scholarships to employees as well as children of employees.
Award Amount: $5,000
Eligibility: The Feeding Student Success Scholarship Program is open to Black and other minority students who reside across Whataburger's footprint in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas.
Award Amount: Up to $5,250
Eligibility: The Archways to Opportunities Program is open to restaurant managers, office staff, and crew members employed by participating McDonald's Franchise Owner / Operators in the United States. You must be working an average of 15 hours per week to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: Full-Tuition
Eligibility: The Starbucks College Achievement Plan is available to part- and full-time benefits eligible Starbucks partners. Recipients of this award will receive full - tuition coverage at Arizona State University's online program. After three consecutive months of working 20 hours per week or more, you become "benefits eligible," and you can enroll in classes during the next session.
Award Amount: Up to $25,000
Eligibility: The Remarkable Futures True Inspiration Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are team members of Chick-Fil-A. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be active in your school and community, demonstrate a strong work ethic, leadership abilities, good teamwork, and a desire to succeed to qualify for this award.