Employee Distance Education

Tuition Reimbursement

If you are employed and a student you can get tuition reimbursement for your college degree. Tuition reimbursement is when employers pay and value the furthering of their employee’s education. In today’s world with the competitive global market employers are seeing the benefit of investing in their workforce to be trained and equipped for what is ahead. Many companies will pay for employees to obtain courses in their field for example marketing courses if they are a Marketing Manager. Additionally, several companies will pay for any higher education their employees choose to pursue regardless of the course subject.

What companies are offering tuition reimbursement and how does it work?

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits package. Here’s how it typically works: an employee pays upfront for college, graduate, or continuing education classes.

Then, once the class or semester is complete, the employer will refund a portion of the money spent or the full amount.

Top companies that pay employees’ education costs

AT&T
As part of its benefits package, AT&T offers tuition assistance– available only for approved education costs, and the company does not offer details on how much assistance is available or other details on the program.

Anthem, Inc.
Employees at this health benefits company are eligible for up to $5,000 a year in reimbursement for tuition, textbooks, and other education-related fees. 

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.

Chipotle
Both eligible hourly and salaried employees at this fast-food chain are eligible for up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement. As well, Chipotle partnered with Guild Education, which offers online classes, programs, and degrees from a variety of universities. 

Home Depot
Tuition reimbursement rates for Home Depot employees vary by role—salaried employees can get up to $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.

JetBlue
The 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.

Proctor & Gamble
P&G, makers of a vast range of consumer and household goods, offers what they describe as a “generous” tuition reimbursement program. 

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 reimbursement for some tuition costs for company-approved college courses.

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.

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 per employee). According to the company website, employees are eligible for this perk from their start date. (Other education assistance programs are available for employees in different roles.)

Wells Fargo
The banking giant offers up to $5,000 in annual (and eligible) tuition expenses.

Verizon
Verizon, the telecommunications giant, offers tuition reimbursement to employees.