Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
How to Get Tuition Reimbursement by Working at Chipotle
By
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.
Learn about our editorial policies
Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.
Learn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn about our editorial policies
Full-time and part-time Chipotle employees can greatly reduce their college costs by taking advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits. Chipotle’s tuition reimbursement program can be applied to a variety of educational programs, such as undergraduate and graduate study, GED programs, and English programs for non-native speakers.
Throughout this step-by-step guide, we will break down how to get tuition reimbursement by working at Chipotle. Keep reading to learn more about the employee and employer benefits and your options if there’s no Chipotle close to your college!
Related: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool
Step-by-step guide to get tuition reimbursement at Chipotle
1. Find a job at Chipotle
You can start your search for a Chipotle job on their jobs portal. If you input the approximate location of where you want to work, it will provide locations and open positions. All positions at Chipotle are eligible for tuition reimbursement, and typically include restaurant crew, management, or support roles.
Even if there are no open positions in your area, you have options. Through the jobs portal, you can sign up for updates when they have new openings. This means you won’t have to keep checking back on the website, and you’ll still be the first to know!
Apply to these scholarships due soon
2. Work a minimum of 15 hours a week for 4 months
Tuition reimbursement is available for both part-time and full-time employees at Chipotle as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. Although employees are eligible for most benefits after 30 days of employment, tuition reimbursement takes longer to kick in. An employee must work for at least 15 hours per week for 4 months before they become eligible.
This helps ensure that employees are a good fit at the company before Chipotle invests in their education. If you are aiming to get tuition reimbursement for an upcoming school year, try beginning work in the summer. You can put in your time to become an established member of the team without the distraction of school. This way, once school starts, you will soon be eligible for tuition reimbursement.
Also see: How to get tuition reimbursement at FedEx
3. Choose your program of study
Chipotle offers a few different types of tuition reimbursement. The first is a debt-free degree from approved programs that are meant to further your career at Chipotle. These can be a great opportunity for someone interested in the service industry, in business, or in agriculture. Through their partnership with Guild Education, Chipotle is able to offer these programs at no charge to employees.
If you’re not interested in the debt-free programs, you can still take advantage of tuition reimbursement. Chipotle will pay up to $5,250 per year for any approved educational program. These programs include undergraduate, graduate, certifications and trade school degrees. They also include GED programs and ESL programs.
So, your tuition reimbursement can vary based on what program you are pursuing. If you find a good fit in a debt-free degree, you can receive an education for free. If you have another program in mind, you can still receive up to $5,250 per year. Keep in mind, this is all on top of your regular salary!
Learn more: What is Guild Education?
4. Check if your family is eligible
Chipotle also extends some tuition reimbursement benefits to the immediate families of employees. These include reimbursement for GED and ESL programs. Be aware that the annual $5,250 reimbursement would be split between you and your family if you’re attending school at the same time.
What is Guild Education?
Guild Education serves as a sort of middleman between corporations and educational institutions. They have a list of corporate partners, and a list of educational providers. Given your geographic location, your educational aspirations, and any other factors you want to consider, they will help match you with an educational provider and program.
As an employee with Guild Education partnership, you’ll have a wealth of resources at your disposal. It is Guild’s primary mission to provide success to their students, so they make sure to offer you whatever support you need.
Why does Chipotle offer tuition reimbursement?
Chipotle offers tuition reimbursement to help its retention rate and train its workers. The company has found that its employees in the program have a 3.5x higher retention rate and are 7.5x more likely to move up to management positions. Maintaining skilled employees is beneficial for Chipotle and saves them hiring costs.
Additionally, Chipotle is able to write off their tuition reimbursement on their taxes. This gives Chipotle a huge incentive to put its money towards employees’ education. Their tax benefits are maxed out at $5,250 per employee per year, which is how they chose their limit.
Keep in mind that Chipotle’s tuition assistance program does not cover the cost of books, supplies, or computers/tablets. You must also stay employed while receiving the reimbursement or you may be asked to pay the funds back.
Other companies that offer tuition reimbursement
It’s true that Chipotle is known as having some of the most generous tuition reimbursement benefits. But they are far from being the only company that offers tuition reimbursement. Companies like Starbucks, Home Depot, Amazon, and UPS all offer tuition reimbursement. So, if there is no Chipotle near your school, don’t give up on tuition reimbursement because there’s more options out there!
Related: College Alternatives: Bootcamps, Apprenticeships, Online Learning, and more!
Next Steps
Keep reading
- Grad school financing options
- How to pay for a certificate program
- What to do if you can’t pay for college?
Frequently asked questions about Chipotle tuition reimbursement
What degrees does Chipotle pay for?
Is it possible to get through college and graduate school debt free?
How do I ask for tuition reimbursement at work?