Walgreens Tuition Assistance & Pharmacy Scholarships 2026

Many companies with tuition reimbursement programs invest in their employees' education, but Walgreens supports education differently than many large employers. Instead of offering broad tuition reimbursement for any degree, the company focuses primarily on pharmacy-specific career pathways.

If you're interested in becoming a pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or advancing within Walgreens’ healthcare roles, the company offers structured programs that can significantly reduce education costs while creating a direct pathway into employment.

Does Walgreens Pay for College?

Walgreens does not offer a general tuition reimbursement program for all employees. Instead, it provides targeted educational support through pharmacy-focused programs and internal development initiatives.

The two primary programs include:

• Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP) for pharmacy interns enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program
• PharmStart, a newer workforce initiative designed to expand access to pharmacy careers

In addition, Walgreens offers internal training programs and tuition discounts through education partnerships.

What Is the Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP)?

The Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP) provides substantial tuition support to Walgreens pharmacy interns pursuing a professional pharmacy degree. This program is designed to support interns already on the path to becoming pharmacists, reduce student debt, and strengthen Walgreens' future pharmacist workforce.

If awarded funding each year, interns may receive up to $40,000 total toward their PharmD education. These funds may be used toward tuition, required books, program-related fees, and certain educational expenses tied to pharmacy school.

Award distribution depends on the pharmacy program length:

For four-year programs:

• Year 1: $5,000
• Year 2: $5,000
• Year 3: $10,000
• Year 4: $20,000

For three-year programs:

• Year 1: $10,000
• Year 2: $10,000
• Year 3: $20,000

However, PEAP is not a traditional scholarship with no strings attached. Recipients must commit to working as a registered pharmacist at Walgreens for one year for each year of funding received. If the service agreement is not fulfilled, the award must be repaid. This structure makes PEAP more like a tuition-for-service agreement than a grant.

Who Qualifies for PEAP?

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a current Walgreens pharmacy intern
• Be enrolled in or accepted to a professional pharmacy program
• Have worked at least 1,040 hours with Walgreens
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Receive supervisor and leadership recommendations

Applications are submitted through the internal PEAP system.

What Is Walgreens PharmStart?

PharmStart is a nationwide workforce development initiative designed to expand access to pharmacy careers. Unlike PEAP, which supports students already in pharmacy school, PharmStart helps individuals begin a pathway into the pharmacy profession.

Through PharmStart, eligible employees may receive:

• Tuition support for pharmacy technician training programs
• Assistance preparing for pharmacy technician certification
• Access to education pathways that can lead to pharmacy school
• Academic coaching and support through Guild Education

The program is structured to help employees move from entry-level roles into certified pharmacy technician positions, and potentially beyond into pharmacist careers.

Because PharmStart operates through Guild Education, participants may access:

• Flexible online programs
• Partner schools aligned with Walgreens’ workforce needs
• One-on-one coaching to help select programs and navigate enrollment

PharmStart reflects Walgreens’ strategy of building its pharmacy workforce internally by investing in education that directly connects to career advancement within the company.

Who Is Eligible for PharmStart?

PharmStart is available to eligible Walgreens team members who are interested in starting or advancing a career in pharmacy. While specific eligibility details may vary by location and employment status, general requirements typically include:

• Employment with Walgreens in an eligible U.S. role
• Active employment status (not seasonal or temporary)
• Good standing with the company
• Interest in pursuing pharmacy technician training or certification
• Enrollment in an approved Guild Education partner program

Because the program is designed as a workforce development pathway, employees usually must pursue programs aligned with Walgreens pharmacy roles. Eligibility criteria and available programs may vary by state due to pharmacy licensing regulations.

Team members should confirm their eligibility through Walgreens’ internal benefits portal or by contacting HR before enrolling in any coursework.

How To Apply for Walgreens PharmStart

Since PharmStart operates through Guild Education, the application process typically follows these steps:

1. Verify eligibility through Walgreens: Log into your employee benefits portal or speak with your manager or HR representative to confirm that you qualify for PharmStart.
2. Create or log into your Guild Education account: Eligible employees can access the Walgreens Guild page to view approved programs and training pathways.
3. Meet with a Guild academic coach: Guild coaches help you explore pharmacy technician training programs, certification pathways, and long-term advancement options.
4. Select an approved program: Choose a pharmacy-aligned training program or certification track that qualifies under PharmStart.
5. Complete enrollment through the partner institution: Follow the school’s admissions process and coordinate with Guild to ensure tuition assistance is applied properly.
6. Maintain eligibility during the program: Continue meeting employment and academic requirements to remain in good standing for tuition support.

Because pharmacy licensing requirements differ by state, employees should confirm certification and training standards in their location before enrolling.

How Walgreens Compares With Other Pharmacy Employers

Walgreens focuses heavily on building internal pharmacy talent pipelines, but other major pharmacy retailers structure their education benefits differently. If you're choosing where to work while pursuing a pharmacy career, understanding these differences can help you plan long term.

Walgreens vs. CVS Health

Both Walgreens and CVS Health invest in pharmacy workforce development, but their models differ in structure and scale.

Walgreens offers structured internal pathways like, like PharmStart and PEAP. CVS Health, on the other hand, operates broader education benefits through tuition assistance programs and workforce development initiatives that may include pharmacy technician training, corporate degrees, and healthcare certifications. CVS often emphasizes large-scale workforce training and health care upskilling across multiple roles, not just pharmacy.

Walgreens vs. Rite Aid

Rite Aid also supports pharmacy workforce development, but its education benefits tend to operate on a smaller scale than Walgreens’ structured programs.

Walgreens provides clearly defined internal pathways for advancement, including PharmStart to help team members become pharmacy technicians and the Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP), which can provide up to $40,000 for pharmacy interns enrolled in professional pharmacy programs. These programs are nationally structured and tied directly to long-term pharmacist workforce planning.

Rite Aid may offer tuition assistance or internal advancement opportunities depending on location and role, but it does not publicly promote a pharmacist-specific tuition funding program comparable to Walgreens’ multi-year PEAP model.

Walgreens vs. Walmart

Walmart has expanded into health services and pharmacy, offering education benefits through structured tuition programs and workforce training initiatives.

Walmart often emphasizes:

• Broader tuition assistance across roles
• Education benefits tied to corporate partner institutions
• Prepaid tuition models for approved programs

Walgreens’ programs are more pharmacy-focused and internally aligned with its long-term staffing strategy.

Key Things to Consider

When comparing pharmacy employers, consider:

• Work commitment requirements: PEAP requires a post-graduation service agreement.
• Program focus: Walgreens concentrates funding specifically on pharmacy careers.
• Funding structure: PharmStart supports technician pathways, while PEAP supports pharmacist licensure.
• Career alignment: Walgreens’ programs are designed to keep graduates within the company.

If you’re certain you want to become a pharmacist and stay with the same employer long term, Walgreens’ structured pathway may be appealing. If you prefer broader flexibility without service commitments, other employers may offer more general tuition support options.

FAQs About Walgreens Education Benefits

Walgreens scholarships for employees and high school students extend to a few programs, including the Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program and Walgreens Expressions Challenge.

How Much Can You Receive Through PEAP?

Eligible pharmacy interns may receive up to $40,000 total over the course of their professional pharmacy program. Award amounts are distributed annually and increase in later years of study.

Does Walgreens Offer General Tuition Reimbursement?

Walgreens does not provide a company-wide tuition reimbursement program for all employees. Education benefits are primarily focused on pharmacy career pathways.

Is There a Work Requirement After Graduation?

PEAP recipients must work as a registered pharmacist at Walgreens for one year for each year of funding received. Failure to meet this obligation may require repayment.

What Is PharmStart?

PharmStart is a workforce initiative designed to expand access to pharmacy careers by supporting technician training and entry-level development pathways within Walgreens.

Can Pharmacy Technicians Get Education Support?

PharmStart and internal training programs provide development opportunities for pharmacy technicians. However, large tuition awards like PEAP are reserved for pharmacy interns enrolled in PharmD programs.

Explore Higher Education Opportunities

Walgreens pharmacy employees should take full advantage of all the company has to offer in the way of college financial assistance. Find more opportunities on Learn.org.