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| © Bloomberg/Getty |
There's no doubt about it: college is expensive, and it will likely get more expensive in the coming years. Furthermore, student loan debt is higher than ever.
But the good news is, depending on where you work it could come a lot cheaper - if not almost free.
Many companies around the country provide their employees with tuition assistance, ranging from a couple thousand dollars of aid to almost entirely covered.
From Starbucks to Chipotle to Fidelity Investments, here are 15 companies that help their employees get a degree. Click or swipe through to see them all.
But the good news is, depending on where you work it could come a lot cheaper - if not almost free.
Many companies around the country provide their employees with tuition assistance, ranging from a couple thousand dollars of aid to almost entirely covered.
From Starbucks to Chipotle to Fidelity Investments, here are 15 companies that help their employees get a degree. Click or swipe through to see them all.
UPS
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| © Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images |
UPS has an excellent tuition reimbursement policy for its employees. Through the Learn & Earn program, part-time employees can earn up to $5,250 in assistance per year, and up to $25,000 total.
And Learn & Earn has a high retention rate - according to their website, over 70% of UPS employees started out as hourly part-time employees. And what's more, UPS claims to have invested over $200 million in tuition assistance for approximately 120,000 college students since the program was launched in 1999.
And Learn & Earn has a high retention rate - according to their website, over 70% of UPS employees started out as hourly part-time employees. And what's more, UPS claims to have invested over $200 million in tuition assistance for approximately 120,000 college students since the program was launched in 1999.
Wells Fargo
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| © Shannon Stapleton/Thomson Reuters |
Wells Fargo is the third-largest bank in the US, and it strives to treat its "team members" with benefits, a 401(k) plan, and up to $5,000 in annual tuition reimbursement.
Wells Fargo reimburses employees up to $5,000 per year for for eligible tuition expenses, and offers scholarships to employee children as well, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Wells Fargo reimburses employees up to $5,000 per year for for eligible tuition expenses, and offers scholarships to employee children as well, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
Smucker's
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| © Eddie~S/Flickr |
According to their website, Smucker's offers reimbursement for continued college courses, as long as they've been approved by the company. They also offer a scholarship program for 10 employee kids a year, for $3,000 each.
Starbucks
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| © Bloomberg/Getty |
This Seattle-based company single-handedly changed the coffee industry forever.
Even better than the invention of a Frappuccino? The fact that, if you're working 20 hours a week in any US company store and you don't have a bachelor's degree, you're eligible for The Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
This program began in 2014 and is a partnership with Arizona State University. It covers tuition in full until you graduate from ASU's high-ranking online degree program.
Even better than the invention of a Frappuccino? The fact that, if you're working 20 hours a week in any US company store and you don't have a bachelor's degree, you're eligible for The Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
This program began in 2014 and is a partnership with Arizona State University. It covers tuition in full until you graduate from ASU's high-ranking online degree program.
Walmart
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| © J.D. Pooley / Stringer/ Getty |
If you work at Walmart (or Sam's Club) and you register for courses at American Public University or American Military University, you (and eligible family members!) could receive a grant that covers up to 15% of your entire tuition.
Verizon
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| © Mike Blake/Thomson Reuters |
In addition to being one of America's top mobile phone companies, Verizon offers a great reimbursement package. According to their website, they doled out a total of $77 million in tuition assistance to their employees in 2017.
All employees are eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year of tuition reimbursement.
All employees are eligible to receive up to $8,000 per year of tuition reimbursement.
Chipotle
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| © AP |
The next time you're paying extra for quac, remind yourself that the money is going toward Chipotle's excellent tuition assistance program.
Employees at Chipotle can, according to the company website, go to college for "as little as $250 per year." It's all because of a partnership with Guild Education, and the perks are available to both part- and full-time employees. These include tuition assistance, discounted classes, and credit for on-the-job training.
Employees at Chipotle can, according to the company website, go to college for "as little as $250 per year." It's all because of a partnership with Guild Education, and the perks are available to both part- and full-time employees. These include tuition assistance, discounted classes, and credit for on-the-job training.
Bank of America
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| © Shannon Stapleton/Thomson Reuters |
BofA reimburses eligible employees up to $5,250 for job-related courses, covering tuition, text books, and other educational expenses.
Fidelity Investments
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| © Richard Vogel/AP |
Fidelity Investments also offers a generous tuition assistance program. With the approval of a supervisor, as well as proof of coursework at an accredited university or college, a Fidelity employee can get up to $10,000 in assistance per year.
Comcast
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| © Thomson Reuters |
Perhaps America's most well-known consumer cable and communications company, Comcast is great about financially assisting its employees.
According to the NBCUniversal program, students can get up to $5,250 annually if they are eligible for the Leader Development Grant Program. Additionally, Comcast employees get reduced payments on internet and cable, which could help any cash-strapped college student.
According to the NBCUniversal program, students can get up to $5,250 annually if they are eligible for the Leader Development Grant Program. Additionally, Comcast employees get reduced payments on internet and cable, which could help any cash-strapped college student.
Disney
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| © Kirsten Acuna/INSIDER |
The program is brand new - and Disney is investing $50 million to get it up and running this fall. More than 80,000 hourly employees will be eligible for Aspire's perks, which encompass assistance toward high school diplomas, college courses, and even vocational skills.
Best Buy
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| © Reuters/Shannon Stapleton |
Best Buy's tuition assistance program allows full-time employees who have donned those classic blue shirts for at least six months to get up to $3,500 per year for their undergrad studies, and up to $5,250 for graduate studies.
AT&T
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| © Eric Gay/AP |
AT&T gives full-timers up to $5,250 a year towards their education, with a lifetime cap of $20,000 for undergrads, and $25,00 for graduate programs.
Oracle
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| © Michael Short/Bloomberg via Getty Images |
Oracle is a behemoth computer technology company based in California that offers $5,250 in tuition reimbursement annually. They have branches around the country (and world), so no matter your location, you might have the opportunity to be reimbursed for school.
BP
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| © Sandra Mu/Getty |
BP provides the nation with gas - but they'll also cover full-time employees' education costs up to a whopping 90%. Talk about a fuel-provider.
