Does Wendy's Offer Tuition Reimbursement or Scholarships?

Fast food crew members can often get tuition assistance as they pursue a degree while working full-time or part-time. Working for one of these fast food companies that pay for college is a great way to grow your professional skills while furthering your education.

Unfortunately, Wendy's tuition reimbursement is not available. Team members, restaurant managers, shift managers and others are offered healthcare benefits like vision and dental, employee discounts, and even adoption assistance, but there is no Wendy's scholarship or tuition repayment.

Does Wendy's Offer Tuition Reimbursement?

There are several companies that offer tuition reimbursement, but currently there is no Wendy's tuition reimbursement. Staff from general managers to crew members are offered several employee benefits, including a retirement plan and family assistance, but currently there are no options for helping pay for college.

Additionally, there used to be a Wendy's scholarship for high school students, but the Wendy's company ended this program in 2019. Other employee perks are listed below.

• The employee assistance program (EAP) helps company employees who are facing hardships that may impact their work life.
• WeCare is an organization that assists employees facing natural disasters and emergencies.
• Professional development through WeLead and mentorship opportunities are meant to help build a strong work environment where employees can grow.

Does Wendy's Offer Any Professional Development?

While there are no options for college tuition reimbursement, Wendy's does offer professional development through their WeLead program. This six-month program is open to 30 participants and is made up of a mix of corporate and restaurant leaders who have been nominated to attend.

The curriculum is designed to give participants actionable leadership skills that they can take back to their workplace to implement positive change. It is based on Wendy's five leadership success factors: inclusive mindset, develops self and others, people effectiveness, business focused, and results driven.

What Fast Food Companies Offer Tuition Reimbursement?

If you are interested in other fast-food companies that will help you pay for college, then take a look at our list below to see which ones fit your needs best.

• Chipotle: Hourly and salaried employees are eligible for enrollment in Chipotle's Cultivate Education Program. Benefits range from 100% paid tuition to $5,250 per year.
• McDonald's: Both full-time and part-time employees at McDonald's are eligible for the Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance plan. Funding ranges from $5,250 to $2,500.
• Starbucks: Starbucks does not offer tuition reimbursement, but it will cover all tuition costs for an online bachelor's degree from Arizona State University. The program covers up to 135 credits.
• Dunkin': Some regions offer specific tuition reimbursement programs, but all Dunkin' employees can get a 15% tuition discount at Southern New Hampshire University.
• Pizza Hut: The Life Unboxed Edu program provides up to $5,250 per year in tuition for salaried employees, as well as scholarships and financial aid for students aged 17 to 26.
• Taco Bell: Benefits are available to all entry-level employees on day one, including tuition discount at many universities, tuition reimbursement, the Live M�s Scholarship, academic coaching, and more.
• Arby's: Arby's offers tuition assistance, but some benefits may only be available to managers and other executives. Total amounts vary.
• Five Guys: Through a partnership with Guild Education, Five Guys employees can get free tuition for some programs and up to $5,250 in assistance for others. Other free education benefits are available.
• Chick-fil-A: Chick-fil-A's Remarkable Futures Scholarship offers scholarships to both part-time and full-time employees. Totals range from $1,000 to $25,000.
• Subway: The Fresh Start Scholarship program helps eligible Subway employees further their education at an accredited college, university, or vocational school. Total amounts vary.
• In-N-Out Burger: Full-time and part-time In-N-Out employees can apply for the LEARN Educational Assistance program, which awards various amounts to employees pursuing a college degree.
• Jack in the Box: Jack in the Box offers scholarships, discounts, and tuition assistance at various colleges and universities. Total amounts vary.
• Culver's: The Culver's Foundation, a nonprofit organization, offers scholarships of varying amounts to employees pursuing a degree. Eligibility may depend on financial need.
• QDOBA: While QDOBA does advertise tuition assistance, it is unclear if it is available to all employees, or only those who meet certain criteria.
• Wingstop: The Morrison Family Scholarship program provides up to $5,000 per year to eligible employees who have worked at Wingstop at least six months. In school, the employee must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

How To Make Your Degree More Affordable

Taking advantage of tuition assistance programs offered by your employer can significantly reduce costs, but there are many other great ways to make your degree more affordable.

Online Programs

In-person college classes tend to be more expensive than online. On-campus programs often include additional costs and fees for things like the gym, student center, or parking. These are often waived for online learners. When you've narrowed down your list of potential schools, see if any have online degree programs that can help lower costs.

Remember that even for online programs, many schools have different rates for in-state and out-of-state students. So if you're hoping to lower costs, then narrow your search to only local schools.

Financial Aid

Your employer isn't the only one offering scholarships and grants. Talk to your school's financial aid office and see if they can help you find any other scholarships to apply for. Some scholarships and grants are merit-based, meaning they are for those who meet certain educational requirements. Others are need-based, so the student may need to prove a financial need to apply.

Filling out the Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) can also sometimes automatically qualify you for certain grants.

Speed Up or Slow Down

Taking classes part-time often lowers costs, as you won't be paying for as many classes at once. Taking classes part-time at your local community college is a great way to knock out prerequisites before starting your degree program at a four-year college or university.

But if you are ready to get to work right away then look for an accelerated program. You may be taking more classes or at a faster rate than normal, but loading your schedule can help you finish faster and get started in your chosen career.

Explore Online Degrees

Although Wendy's does not currently offer tuition assistance, many other popular fast-food chains are ready to help you further your education. When you are ready to get that degree, reach out to one of the accredited schools featured on Learn.org and see if your employee benefits can help make your dreams a reality.