15 Companies That Offer Tuition Reimbursement for Part-Time Employees

If you have a part-time job and you're thinking about going to college, you may be wondering if your job offers a tuition reimbursement program. More to the point, does this program cover college tuition for part-time employees?

Many companies with tuition reimbursement programs provide some tuition assistance or reimbursement for their employees, including those who work part-time. Benefits may range from money to cover books and fees for certain degree programs to full tuition coverage.

Continue reading to learn more about some of these companies and the tuition assistance programs they offer for eligible part-time employees.

Companies That Provide Tuition Reimbursement for Part-Time Workers

A college degree is expensive, but many companies provide tuition assistance programs to help eligible employees cover their education expenses. Let's take a look at 15 of these companies.

1. Starbucks

Starbucks offers a tuition reimbursement program for employees who meet various eligibility requirements, whether they are part-time or full-time. The program provides up to $1,000 per calendar year to assist with tuition, fees, and book costs.

The company also has a partnership with Arizona State University. Through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, employees pursuing an online degree at this school may receive full tuition coverage.

2. Walmart

Walmart offers a generous program for employees pursuing higher education. It provides full-tuition coverage for many bachelor's degrees and certificate programs for all full-time and part-time employees.

To take advantage of this program, students must agree to complete in-person or online programs at network schools. These schools include the University of Arizona, Purdue University Global, and Southern New Hampshire University.

3. UPS

UPS offers a highly flexible tuition assistance program for employees at most of its locations across the country. Both undergraduate and graduate students can receive up to $5,250 yearly through the Earn and Learn Program.

The company will pay up to $25,000 in total education reimbursement per student. Those receiving funds can attend any accredited college and pursue programs or courses that interest them.

4. Home Depot

The Home Depot provides tuition reimbursement for both salaried and hourly employees, including those who work part-time. Students receiving these funds can pursue associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, as well as doctoral and technical programs.

The company has partnerships with many top colleges and universities. It will reimburse some of your educational expenses at the school of your choice as long as the courses you take meet certain eligibility requirements.

5. CVS Health

CVS Health offers tuition assistance and reimbursement programs for qualifying students. Those attending Strayer University, Capella University, or Colorado Technical University can earn a degree with no out-of-pocket expenses; those enrolled in a program at another school can receive up to $3,000 a year to help cover tuition expenses.

Team members who work under 30 hours a week are considered part-time. These employees are eligible for tuition benefits after their first 90 days of employment.

6. Target

Target offers education benefits as one of its employment perks. Students pursuing undergraduate programs in a business-related field may qualify to receive their degree for free through Target's partnership with Guild Education.

All full-time and part-time employees can qualify for this benefit from day one. They can choose from more than 250 degree programs at over 40 partnered schools. Those pursuing a graduate degree may receive up to $10,000 annually to help with their college costs.

7. Amazon

Amazon offers tuition assistance through its Career Choice Program. Amazon employees can receive funds to pursue a college degree, career training, and other training programs.

Students can choose from various schools and educational programs, including job training, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and more. Flexible online and in-person programs are both available.

8. Chipotle

Chipotle partners with Guild Education to offer its employees some of the most generous education benefits of any company. Students can pursue select degrees in healthcare, technology, and more tuition-free at certain schools, but that's just the beginning.

You may also be able to receive up to $5,250 per year regardless of the school or degree program you choose. Funding is available for undergraduate and graduate degrees, career training programs, high school completion programs, and more.

9. McDonald's

McDonald's offers the Archways to Opportunity program to provide tuition assistance for hourly and salaried employees. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 per year to cover costs after other forms of financial aid have been applied.

To receive these benefits, workers must have been employed for at least 90 days and work an average of 15 hours per week. Though this is a ''last-dollar'' type of program, funds can be used for student loan repayments.

10. Costco

Costco's tuition assistance program comes in the form of a scholarship, which all eligible employees can apply for. The Costco Employee Scholarship provides up to $2,500 per academic year.

Students must be enrolled, or planning to enroll, in an accredited school and obtain a high school diploma or GED by June of the year they first receive the scholarship. They must be pursuing a two-year or four-year degree or certificate program for the first time.

11. Lowe's

Lowe's partners with Guild Education to offer a generous tuition reimbursement program. Students can receive full tuition coverage for approved degree programs at partnered schools.

Additionally, students who choose other programs at other schools may receive up to $2,500 a year for undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificate programs, bootcamps, career training programs, and more. Flexible online degrees make it easy to keep working while you pursue your education.

12. Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market offers a limited financial assistance program for employees in select regions. This program is in partnership with Guild Education.

The company pays tuition and book fees for specific certificate programs and degrees from a limited number of schools. Students can take advantage of these benefits from the first day of employment.

13. Dunkin'

Dunkin' has a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University. Employees at this school can receive a 15% discount on tuition prices for online degree and certificate programs.

Other tuition assistance programs may exist in specific regions, as exact benefits vary by franchisee. If you work for Dunkin', check with your employer to find out what benefits are available.

14. Macy's

Macy's is another company that partners with Guild Education to offer upfront tuition coverage for various degrees and training programs. Students in eligible programs can receive assistance to cover 100% of tuition costs.

This coverage is available for more than 100 flexible online degree programs at more than 20 schools. Tuition assistance may also be available for high school completion courses, job training, ESL classes, and more.

15. Kroger

Kroger offers an open, flexible tuition assistance program for full-time and part-time employees. The company will provide up to $21,000 per student to help them cover their educational costs.

Students can pursue any degree or certificate program at the accredited school of their choosing.

Does Tuition Reimbursement Affect Your Financial Aid?

If companies offer tuition assistance but do not cover all college costs, employees can still receive financial aid. However, the amount of federal aid may be affected by the tuition reimbursement benefits those students receive.

When filling out the FAFSA, you must report any educational benefits you receive. These benefits are factored in when determining how much aid you are eligible to receive; as such, you will likely be offered less federal aid than you would if you did not participate in your company's education assistance program.

Do Part-Time Employees Receive Less Tuition Assistance Than Full-Time Employees?

Whether you work full-time or part-time, the amount of aid you receive will vary depending on where you work and the individual program your company offers. In some cases, all college students participating in the program receive the same amount to cover their tuition costs.

In other cases, however, the amount you receive will vary depending on various factors, including whether you work part-time or full-time. Other factors that could affect the amount of aid you receive include whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, or a certificate program and whether you attend a two-year or four-year college.