Ford Tuition Assistance & Educational Benefits 2026

<p>Ford offers a variety of <a href="https://uawford.org/programs/education-development-training-program-edtp/tuition-assistance-policies-and-procedures/">education programs</a> for employees, dependents, and retirees to support career growth and lifelong learning. These benefits include tuition assistance for degrees and certifications, personal development programs, scholarships for dependents, and access to flexible learning through the Guild Education partnership. </p> <h2 id="section---TuitionAssistancePrograms">Tuition Assistance Programs</h2> <p>Ford's tuition assistance is structured to serve employees at different stages in their careers, including active workers, temporary staff, and retirees. Most benefits require prior approval, enrollment in accredited institutions, and successful course completion. </p> <h3 id="section---EducationTuitionAssistancePlanETAP">Education Tuition Assistance Plan (ETAP)</h3> <p>ETAP provides up to $8,000 per calendar year in pre-paid tuition and approved fees for full-time active UAW-represented hourly employees with at least 90 days of service. Covered education includes GED programs, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as certificate and diploma programs at regionally accredited institutions. </p> <p>Employees can also use ETAP for prior learning assessments, CLEP testing, and licensing fees. Applications must be submitted no later than 45 days after the start of each academic term. </p> <h3 id="section---PersonalDevelopmentAssistancePDA">Personal Development Assistance (PDA)</h3> <p>PDA is part of the $8,000 ETAP annual maximum and supports non-degree courses that help employees improve their skills on the job. Employees can receive up to $4,000 per year to cover tuition and approved fees for classes in areas such as labor studies, communication, public speaking, computer skills, and technical certifications. This benefit may also cover licensing and testing fees for work-related credentials. </p> <h3 id="section---IndustrialReadinessCertificateProgramIRCP">Industrial Readiness Certificate Program (IRCP)</h3> <p>The IRCP is a non-accredited training program consisting of three standardized courses: Shop Arithmetic, Machine Tool Blueprint Reading, and Trade-Related Preparation. These courses are required for employees who want to be placed on a facility's Apprentice Eligibility List. ETAP benefits apply to IRCP coursework. </p> <h3 id="section---TemporaryEmployeeTuitionAssistance">Temporary Employee Tuition Assistance</h3> <p>Temporary UAW hourly employees who have completed at least 90 days of employment may also qualify for educational benefits. These include up to $8,000 per year in tuition assistance, up to $4,000 for personal development courses, and up to $1,000 in book reimbursement. This benefit supports work-related training and educational advancement for temps seeking full-time roles. </p> <h3 id="section---RetireeEducationBenefitsRETAP">Retiree Education Benefits (RETAP)</h3> <p>The Retiree and Training Assistance Plan (RETAP) offers up to $2,000 per year for Ford retirees to take courses at regionally accredited institutions or through local training programs. Classes may be offered at Ford plants, union halls, or community locations. </p> <h2 id="section---ScholarshipPrograms">Scholarship Programs</h2> <p>Ford and the UAW jointly fund scholarship opportunities for dependent children and surviving family members of eligible employees. These programs help reduce the cost of college and recognize academic and community achievement. </p> <h3 id="section---UAWFordScholarshipForDependentChildrenSDC">UAW-Ford Scholarship for Dependent Children (SDC)</h3> <p>The SDC program provides up to $1,600 in tuition reimbursement to children of full-time active UAW-Ford employees. Students must be enrolled in a college-level degree program and submit their application by June 1 each year. Awards are issued on a reimbursement basis after successful course completion and documentation. </p> <h3 id="section---WilliamC.FordJr.Scholarship">William C. Ford, Jr. Scholarship</h3> <p>This one-time $1,500 scholarship is awarded to dependent children of full-time active Ford employees. To qualify, students must be undergraduate sophomores during the application year, under age 25, unmarried, and U.S. citizens. Recipients are selected based on academics, leadership, and community involvement. Applications are accepted between June 1 and August 1. </p> <h3 id="section---SurvivorEducationAndTrainingAssistanceProgramSETAP">Survivor Education and Training Assistance Program (SETAP)</h3> <p>SETAP supports the spouses and dependent children of Ford employees who passed away while actively employed or on medical leave. Eligible family members may receive tuition assistance for approved degree and certificate programs. </p> <h3 id="section---NationalVocationalRetrainingAssistanceProgramNVRAP">National Vocational Retraining Assistance Program (NVRAP)</h3> <p>NVRAP offers up to $9,400 in educational assistance for employees on indefinite layoff. This program helps eligible workers retrain in high-demand industries or transition to new career fields through certified programs. </p> <h2 id="section---GuildEducationPartnership">Guild Education Partnership</h2> <p>In addition to traditional tuition benefits, Ford partners with Guild Education to offer flexible learning opportunities to employees. </p> <p>Through Guild, eligible employees may receive 100% tuition coverage for select online degrees, certificates, and bootcamps in business, technology, skilled trades, and health care. Programs are designed to be flexible and accommodate working professionals with asynchronous schedules. </p> <p>Employees also have access to personalized support, including one-on-one coaching, help with choosing programs, and application assistance. For courses outside the Guild catalog, Ford may offer up to $6,000 per year in tuition reimbursement, subject to approval. </p> <h2 id="section---HowToApplyForFordTuitionAssistance">How To Apply for Ford Tuition Assistance</h2> <p>To apply for Ford's education programs, employees should follow a standardized process to ensure eligibility and timely payment. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1ReviewEligibility">Step 1: Review Eligibility</h3> <p>Start by confirming you meet the eligibility criteria for your employment status: hourly, salaried, temporary, or retired. Some programs require at least 90 days of service, while others are limited to full-time active employees or their dependents. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2ChooseAnApprovedProgram">Step 2: Choose an Approved Program</h3> <p>Select a course or degree offered by a regionally accredited institution. The program should align with your job duties or long-term career goals. Be sure to review which fees and materials are covered. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3SubmitYourApplication">Step 3: Submit Your Application</h3> <p>Log in to the Online Tuition Assistance Application System (ONTAAS) or use the Guild Education portal. Submit all required documents, including course descriptions, tuition estimates, and proof of enrollment. Dependent applicants may need to include documentation verifying relationship and student status. </p> <h3 id="section---Step4GetPreapprovalBeforeEnrolling">Step 4: Get Preapproval Before Enrolling</h3> <p>Wait for written approval before paying for or starting classes. Pre-approval confirms your course meets the benefit guidelines and avoids the risk of denied reimbursement. </p> <h3 id="section---Step5CompleteCoursesAndSubmitFinalDocuments">Step 5: Complete Courses and Submit Final Documents</h3> <p>After you complete your classes, submit final grades, tuition receipts, and any required forms to request reimbursement. Be sure to meet any deadlines and maintain the minimum grade requirement, usually a 'C' for undergraduate and a 'B' for graduate coursework. </p> <h2 id="section---FAQsAboutTuitionReimbursementAtFord">FAQs About Tuition Reimbursement at Ford</h2> <p>Ford's education benefits are wide-ranging, but knowing the details can help you take full advantage of what's offered. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. </p> <h3 id="section---WhoQualifiesForFordTuitionAssistance">Who Qualifies for Ford Tuition Assistance?</h3> <p>Most full-time UAW-represented hourly and salaried employees qualify for Ford's tuition assistance benefits, including temporary workers after 90 days of employment. Eligibility may differ by program. For example, ETAP requires active employment and enrollment in an approved educational institution. </p> <p>Dependents are also eligible for certain programs, such as the UAW-Ford tuition assistance program for dependents, which includes specific requirements for relationship verification and student status. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfEducationDoesFordCover">What Types of Education Does Ford Cover?</h3> <p>Ford covers a wide range of programs, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as technical certifications, job-specific licenses, and personal development courses. It's important to note that courses must be taken at regionally accredited institutions. Depending on the program, Ford may also support high school completion, skilled trade prep, and professional development classes tied to your role. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesFordReimburseForTuition">How Much Does Ford Reimburse for Tuition?</h3> <p>Eligible employees may receive up to $8,000 per year in tuition assistance through ETAP, which includes up to $4,000 for personal development courses. Temporary employees are eligible for these same limits, and retirees may qualify for up to $2,000 annually through RETAP. Reimbursement for dependents through scholarship programs varies by award, typically ranging from $1,500 to $1,600. </p> <h3 id="section---AreDependentsEligibleForEducationBenefits">Are Dependents Eligible for Education Benefits?</h3> <p>Yes, dependents of UAW-represented employees may qualify for scholarship assistance through the UAW-Ford Scholarship for Dependent Children and the William C. Ford, Jr. Scholarship. These programs support college-level education and are awarded based on eligibility criteria such as enrollment status, academic achievement, or financial need. </p> <h3 id="section---CanFordSTuitionBenefitsBeUsedWithFinancialAid">Can Ford's Tuition Benefits Be Used With Financial Aid?</h3> <p>Yes, you can combine Ford's tuition benefits with external scholarships, grants, or financial aid, provided the total support does not exceed your tuition and required fees. It's important to disclose all sources of aid when applying, especially for reimbursement-based programs like ETAP, to ensure proper coordination and avoid overpayment issues. </p> <h2 id="section---EarnYourDegreeToday">Earn Your Degree Today</h2> <p>Browse accredited online programs on Learn.org to find options that match your goals and qualify for support through Ford's tuition and scholarship offerings.</p>