Cisco Tuition Reimbursement & Scholarships 2026
Learn how Cisco helps employees pay for college through its tuition reimbursement benefits, internal training, and leadership programs that support career growth.
Cisco supports lifelong learning with a generous tuition reimbursement program and internal development tools that help employees reach their education goals. Whether you're pursuing a degree, technical certification, or leadership training, Cisco offers financial support and structured learning paths to advance your career.
Cisco is a company that offers tuition reimbursement as a way to empower its workforce. Here, we'll break down Cisco's tuition reimbursement program, who qualifies, what's covered, how to apply, and available Cisco scholarships and learning resources.
How Cisco Tuition Reimbursement Works
<p>Cisco offers up to $7,500 per year in tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing college degrees or certificate programs. This benefit applies to courses taken through accredited institutions and must be directly connected to your job responsibilities or professional advancement at Cisco.
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<p>Employees are required to receive manager and HR approval before enrolling in any coursework. After completing the class with a passing grade (usually a C or higher) employees can submit receipts and transcripts to be reimbursed. Tuition assistance also covers approved course fees and learning materials when applicable.
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<h3 id="section---EligibilityRequirementsForCiscoSEducationProgram">Eligibility Requirements for Cisco's Education Program</h3>
<p>To qualify for Cisco's tuition reimbursement program, employees must be full-time and in good standing with the company. There is usually a short waiting period of about six months before new hires become eligible.
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<p>Once eligible, employees need to follow Cisco's internal request process, which involves submitting a proposal for educational funding through the company's benefits portal. Approval is based on the relevance of the program to the employee's role or career trajectory. Reimbursements are issued after all program conditions are met and the employee successfully completes the course.
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<h2 id="section---AreCiscoScholarshipsAvailable">Are Cisco Scholarships Available?</h2>
<p>While Cisco does not offer traditional external scholarship programs, it does provide equivalent financial and learning support through:
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<ul><li>internal education stipends
</li><li>discounts on Cisco certification exams
</li><li>free access to the Cisco Learning Network
</li><li>leadership development programs
</li></ul><p>These tools function similarly to scholarships by reducing the cost of continuing education, especially in high-demand areas like networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Employees also benefit from mentorship, study groups, and exam prep materials.
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<h2 id="section---HowToApplyForCiscoTuitionReimbursement">How To Apply for Cisco Tuition Reimbursement</h2>
<p>In order to receive tuition assistance, employees must follow Cisco's internal process. Here's how to access your tuition reimbursement benefits:
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<p>1. Log in to the employee benefits portal.
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<p>2. Submit a request with course details, cost estimates, and an explanation of how the course aligns with your career.
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<p>3. Await manager and HR approval.
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<p>4. Enroll in the approved course and complete it with a passing grade.
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<p>5. Upload receipts and transcripts to request reimbursement.
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<p>Keep in mind that any amount of assistance you receive that is above the IRS tax-free education limit may be considered taxable income.
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<h2 id="section---AdditionalLearningLeadershipOpportunities">Additional Learning & Leadership Opportunities</h2>
<p>In addition to college tuition reimbursement, Cisco encourages continuous learning through a variety of internal programs. The company promotes its Think40 initiative, which asks employees to complete 40 hours of learning each year in areas related to leadership, technology, or job performance. Cisco also supports the Green Education Initiative, which highlights the environmental benefits of choosing online courses, digital textbooks, and virtual training labs.
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<h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTuitionReimbursementAtCisco">FAQs About Tuition Reimbursement at Cisco</h2>
<p>Below are answers to common questions about Cisco's educational benefits, eligibility rules, and how employees can take full advantage of these opportunities.
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<h3 id="section---DoesCiscoOfferTuitionReimbursementForOnlineDegrees">Does Cisco Offer Tuition Reimbursement for Online Degrees?</h3>
<p>Yes, Cisco's tuition reimbursement can be applied to online degree programs as long as the institution is accredited and the coursework aligns with the employee's current role or career goals. Online programs often offer flexibility that fits Cisco's global workforce.
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<p>Many employees use the benefit to earn degrees in business, computer science, cybersecurity, and other in-demand fields. Prior approval from a manager or HR representative is required before enrolling, and employees must meet performance and eligibility requirements.
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<h3 id="section---CanInternsOrContractorsAtCiscoAccessTuitionReimbursement">Can Interns or Contractors at Cisco Access Tuition Reimbursement?</h3>
<p>No, Cisco tuition reimbursement is currently only available to full-time employees in good standing. Interns, contractors, and part-time employees are not eligible for the program.
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<p>However, these individuals may still access some internal training tools like Cisco Learning Network or attend development workshops. If a contractor is later hired as a full-time employee, they may become eligible after completing the required employment period.
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<h3 id="section---HowLongDoYouHaveToWorkAtCiscoBeforeQualifying">How Long Do You Have To Work at Cisco Before Qualifying?</h3>
<p>Employees must typically work at Cisco for at least six months before becoming eligible for tuition reimbursement. This waiting period ensures employees are committed and performing well in their roles. The exact timeframe may vary by department or regional HR policy, so it's important to confirm the details through the company's internal benefits portal.
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<h3 id="section---DoesCiscoCoverTheCostOfCertificationExams">Does Cisco Cover the Cost of Certification Exams?</h3>
<p>Yes, Cisco offers support for employees pursuing industry certifications, especially those related to networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Through platforms like Cisco Learning Network, employees can access discounted or fully covered exam vouchers, study guides, and lab simulations. Certification costs may fall under the tuition reimbursement benefit or be handled separately through departmental training budgets, depending on the role and program.
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<h3 id="section---WhatIsCiscoSGreenEducationInitiative">What Is Cisco's Green Education Initiative?</h3>
<p>Cisco's Green Education Initiative encourages employees to select environmentally sustainable education paths, such as online learning or nearby schools that reduce commuting. The goal is to minimize the environmental impact of education while still supporting employee development.
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<p>Cisco promotes digital textbooks, virtual labs, and remote certification prep to make learning accessible and eco-friendly. Employees can still receive tuition reimbursement for these options if they meet all program requirements.
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<h2 id="section---EarnYourDegreeToday">Earn Your Degree Today</h2>
<p>Cisco's education programs offer valuable financial and professional support. If you're ready to take the next step in your education, explore accredited online degrees available through the schools featured here on Learn.org.</p>