Target Tuition Reimbursement & Requirements for 2025

Many high school and college students take part-time and full-time employment opportunities to earn money to pay for college, but some companies will actually pay for tuition on top of paying students a wage. Students who work at Target, or one of the other companies that offer tuition assistance, can receive partial or full tuition reimbursement.

Full-time and part-time Target employees can receive a debt-free education thanks to Target's tuition reimbursement initiatives at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Does Target Pay for College?

Yes, but there are restrictions to the Target college tuition program. Students can pursue in-person and online programs from 40 different universities nationwide, but students must choose an approved degree or certificate program that aligns with business.

What Is Guild Education?

The Target Guild Education partnership allows Target team members to pursue higher education, including certificates and degree programs, from partner universities at no cost. In addition to college-level courses, Guild hosts high school completion, bootcamps, and English as a Second Language learning programs. Guild doesn't offer any degrees or certificates; instead, it serves as a third-party platform that makes it easier for students to find lessons.

Part-time and full-time employees earn eligibility for Guild on day one and won't have to apply for acceptance like they would with a university or community college. All of Guild's education programs are provided online and allow students to complete coursework around their work schedule.

Guild also offers tutoring and other education assistance programs for students who want help outside of their course at no additional cost.

How To Get Tuition Reimbursement From Target

The Target tuition reimbursement program is a great way for team members to earn an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree with free or reduced tuition costs. Eligibility begins on the first day of employment for both full-time and part-time employees seeking their first degree. Employees can work with human resources to set up their Guild account and begin reviewing the available degrees. Unlike applying at a university or community college, Target employees are guaranteed enrollment in these programs and can complete their coursework without charge.

Students can also apply for tuition reimbursement for approved degree programs at accredited universities. To qualify for free college tuition, Target employees must select a business-related degree program that can help them advance their careers within Target's corporate hierarchy.

How Do You Qualify for the Tuition Reimbursement Program?

Qualifying for the Target Tuition Reimbursement Program is as easy as being employed at Target. All U.S.-based part-time and full-time employees receive eligibility on the first day of employment. Students earning their first undergraduate degree or certificate can qualify for full-tuition coverage, while students pursuing a graduate or a second bachelor's degree will qualify for partial coverage.

How To Apply for Target Tuition Assistance

Applying for Target Tuition Assistance is a multi-step process, but it is fairly straightforward.

1. First, students need to be employed by their local Target. There are currently 1,978 locations nationwide, with more on the way, making it easy to find employment near them.
2. After being hired, employees can work with their store's HR representative or on their own to set up their Guild account. This free account is required to access any of the programs offered through Guild.
3. Students who don't already have a degree in mind will need to select a program to pursue. There are over 250 different business-aligned programs, including management, information technology, and graphic design, to name a few.
4. Students looking to attend a partner university outside of the Guild platform will need to coordinate with HR to make sure their degree qualifies and submit relevant documents, such as a tuition receipt or proof of payment, for approval.

FAQs About Target Education Benefits

Corporate-provided education benefits and financial aid are growing in popularity, but they are still relatively new. As a result, current Target employees and aspiring employees often have questions about how the Target scholarships and reimbursement program works and what it covers.

How Much Does Target Offer in Tuition Reimbursement?

Target offers up to 100% coverage through its tuition assistance program for qualifying education. To be eligible for full tuition coverage, students must be first-time degree seekers and be enrolled in a business-related degree or certificate program.

Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree can still participate in this program, but they won't have the same tuition coverage. Target offers up to $5,250 yearly for undergraduate degrees or $10,000 yearly for graduate degrees.

Target also offers additional coverage for related costs, including textbooks, supplies, and course-specific fees.

What Degrees Does Target Pay for?

Target's college benefits can be applied to over 250 different business-related degree programs. Although any education program is valuable, Target's program is primarily focused on building the next generation of corporate leaders in its growing chain of stores.

Some of the popular degree programs that can be earned free of cost include:

• information technology
• computer science
• business management
• graphic design
• marketing

What Schools Does Target Pay for?

Students can pursue higher education programs through Guild, but Target also has multiple partner universities that will qualify for the Target college tuition reimbursement program. There are 40 total schools, but some of the most popular universities include:

• Morehouse College
• Oregon State University
• Paul Quinn College
• University of Arizona
• University of Denver

Does Target Help Pay Student Loans?

Target doesn't help pay off student loans accrued before employment begins through their tuition assistance program. The Target tuition reimbursement program is designed to help employees and encourage them to pursue degrees for personal and professional growth. However, the Target Forward program is a $200 million initiative that does include plans to help employees reduce student debt, but there isn't a set amount of debt relief promised per employee.

Can I Get Tuition Reimbursement While Working Part-Time?

The Target college benefits program is available to part-time employees with the same coverage as full-time employees. All benefits are available starting the first day of employment and are only contingent on employment, not the amount of hours an employee works each week. As a result, employees might consider part-time enrollment when possible to reduce any impact on their educational schedule.

Earn Your College Degree

Read our school profiles to learn more about many of Target's 40+ partner universities, their degree offerings, and more. Once you've researched the schools further, use our resources to reach out and start your application today.