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Top 15 Companies That Offer Tuition Reimbursement

College can be an amazing new adventure, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are options for new and current students to help cut tuition costs. For example, there are a variety of tuition reimbursement jobs available to you if you just know where to look. Use this guide as your resource to find out how to make your college experience affordable. 

What is tuition reimbursement?

Tuition assistance programs have been adopted by certain companies as a benefit for their employees. The amount that a company offers can vary depending on whether you’re a part-time or full-time employee and how long you’ve been employed. Many jobs offer tuition reimbursement to promote retention and encourage employees to further their education.

15 companies that offer tuition reimbursement 

Amazon

Recently, Amazon has begun to offer employees tuition reimbursement. It’s also paid in advance and covers all program costs, so you’ll never have to worry about tuition or any fees. The reimbursement program even covers English as a Second Language and GED classes.

• Reimbursement: 100% of program costs
• Eligibility: At least 90 days of employment
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

Apple

While Apple offers full-time employees tuition assistance, it is provided after you submit your grades and proof of completion. Employees will also have to keep track of any itemized receipts and syllabi for any books or software to be covered as well. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually 
• Eligibility: Full-time employees working at least 20 hours a week
• Coverage: Required textbooks, software, and some fees

AT&T

AT&T believes in innovation and thinking big, that’s why they offer their employees a chance to get their undergraduate or master’s degree with tuition reimbursement. However, the program of study you decide on has to be in related fields such as electronics and finance. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually for full-time employees, $2,625-3,937.50 annually for part-time employees depending on hours
• Eligibility: Employment at the AT&T business units
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

Best Buy

The tuition reimbursement program at Best Buy covers high school, undergraduate, graduate, law, or PhD level courses. However, it’s important to submit proof of completion of the course within 90 days to ensure the reimbursement can apply. 

• Reimbursement: $3,500 annually for undergraduate, $5,250 annually for graduate
• Eligibility: At least 6 months of employment working at least 32 hours of week.
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees up to $325 for undergraduate courses and $525 for graduate courses

Chipotle

Chipotle’s tuition assistance can help you and your family make education affordable! Your benefits for reimbursement can extend to your immediate family members and you can even choose any program of study you want. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually
• Eligibility: At least 4 months of employment with a minimum of 15 hours a week
• Coverage: Tuition only 

Ford

Ford offers three different programs for tuition reimbursement: Education Tuition Assistance Plan (ETAP), Professional Development Assistance (PDA), and PDA Educational Enrichment Course (PDAEEC). ETAP is for employees hoping to get their associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree while PDA and PDAEEC focus on employees trying to get specific certifications or an online education. 

• Reimbursement: $6,000 annually (ETAP), $3,000 annually (PDA), or $1,500 annually (PDAEEC)
• Eligibility: At least 90 days of employment 
• Coverage: Up to $600 for required textbooks

Geico

While Geico might save you 15% or more on your car insurance, they also provide employees with the chance to continue their education affordably. This tuition reimbursement program covers over 220 different schools offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as certification programs. Employees will also have access to academic and financial wellness coaches to navigate through continuing their education. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually 
• Eligibility: One week of employment
• Coverage: Required textbooks and registration, lab, technology, and graduation fees

Home Depot 

In order to get your tuition reimbursed, you have to remain an active employee at Home Depot and earn a “C” or above in the course. Employees should submit their proof of completion within 90 days of the course’s end date. 

• Reimbursement: $5,000 for salaried employees, $3,000 for full-time employees, and $1,500 for part-time employees
• Eligibility: Employment at a local Home Depot 
• Coverage: 50% of required textbooks and up to $250 for fees

Lowe’s

One of the benefits to working at your local Lowe’s is the opportunity to receive tuition reimbursement. The program is partnered with over 20 different schools and education providers, including some HBCUs. 

• Reimbursement: 100% of program costs
• Eligibility: Employment at a local Lowe’s
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

McDonald’s

McDonald’s offers tuition reimbursement and it must be applied toward accredited institutions. Reimbursement is then paid directly to the school of your choice after courses have been completed. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually for full-time employees, $2,500 annually for part-time employees
• Eligibility: At least 90 days of employment 
• Coverage: Required textbooks

Starbucks

While working for your local Starbucks, you could qualify for the Starbucks College Achievement Plan. This program allows for employees to gain an online bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University. ASU has a well-known degree program and is the only college currently partnered with Starbucks. 

• Reimbursement: 100% of program costs 
• Eligibility: At least 2 months of employment working 160 hours and currently working an average of 20 hours a week 
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

Target

Tuition assistance at Target can be applied to over 200 programs at a variety of different universities. Employees can also attend college preparatory or GED classes as well as bootcamps. Some of the programs are even 100% covered by Target!

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually for non-master’s degrees, $10,000 annually for master’s degrees
• Eligibility: Employment at a local Target
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees 

T-Mobile

At T-Mobile, people come first which is why they offer employees tuition reimbursement. There are even some online colleges that are completely free such as Capella University, Kaplan, and University of Phoenix. T-Mobile also pays tuition upfront directly to the school. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually for full-time employees, $2,500 for part-time employees 
• Eligibility: At least 90 days of employment 
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

UPS

UPS offers UPS University to their employees, which is an online learning platform that can be a resource while studying for the degree or certificate of your choice. It’s important to note that tuition assistance does have a lifetime funding maximum of $25,000, but workers in the Louisville, Kentucky and Hodgins, Illinois area receive a monthly stipend as well. 

• Reimbursement: $5,250 annually
• Eligibility: Part-time employees
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

Walmart

Working at your local Walmart or Sam’s Club means you have access to the LiveBetterU program. In this program, employees earn $1 for each day they work. However, your tuition reimbursement cannot apply to any master’s degrees and your major must be related to Walmart job demands. 

• Reimbursement: 100% of program costs
• Eligibility: Employment at a local Walmart or Sam’s Club
• Coverage: Required textbooks and fees

Next steps for students

No matter where you work or hope to work, reach out to the HR department to find out whether they offer tuition reimbursement. More and more jobs now offer tuition reimbursement, so you may have more options than you think! And if none of the companies listed above appeal to you, there are many other jobs that offer tuition reimbursement, so do your research. Larger companies are more likely to offer tuition reimbursement, and more and more offer it to attain and retain top notch employees.

Good luck on finding a job with tuition reimbursement! Don’t forget to look into all financial assistance options, including federal aid, scholarships, and work study as well!

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