Disney Tuition Reimbursement & Aspire Program 2025

There is an abundance of companies that offer tuition reimbursement, so it's no surprise that the Walt Disney Company does as well. Disney offers a few options to help employees cover their tuition expenses.

Both full-time and part-time employees are available for Disney tuition assistance, though certain programs have specific requirements. Through options like Disney Aspire, employees can get their entire tuition covered at select colleges and universities. Keep reading to learn more about Disney tuition assistance and the Disney Aspire Program.

Does Disney Pay For College?

Disney runs a few programs that help employees or their families pay for college. The most expansive is the Disney Aspire program, which covers tuition costs for full-time employees.

The Disney scholarship program, Disney Scholars, offers opportunities to children of employees who are high school seniors. Additionally, Disney offers education reimbursement to salaried employees who pursue educational opportunities related to their current roles within the company.

What Is the Disney Aspire Program?

The Disney Aspire Program is Disney's tuition assistance program for hourly or salaried full-time or part-time employees. Through a partnership with Guild Education, Disney will pay for college tuition costs for specific degree programs at various schools across the country.

Through this program, Disney pays the assistance upfront to your school. This differs from a tuition reimbursement program, in which you pay first and the company pays you back. That being said, the company does offer reimbursement for required books and fees.

Many of the programs available through Disney Aspire are available online ??which is ideal for many employees so they don't have to leave their current role and risk their financial assistance. For example, Disney Cast Members working at the Orlando theme park can attend courses online through Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) without having to leave Florida.

Currently, there are over 8,000 active students at Walt Disney World in Orlando and over 3,000 active students at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Disney Aspire Program List

Several program options are available through Disney Aspire. Currently, the program works with 11 schools and educational institutions across the U.S.:

• Penn Foster High School: High school diplomas
• Sophia Learning: College start programs in general education, health science, business, and information technology (IT)
• Bellevue University: Bachelor's degrees in business management, hospitality management, project management, software development, supply chain and logistics management, and web development
• California State University Fullerton: Over 20 bachelor's degrees in arts, business, computer science, and healthcare (most programs are only available to California residents)
• University of Central Florida: Over 30 bachelor's degrees in business, education, healthcare, technology, and more. (Disney Aspire programs at UCF are only for Florida residents)
• Fullerton College: Associate degrees and career certificates in cybersecurity, landscaping, manufacturing, and theme park technology (only available to California residents)
• Johnson & Wales University: Professional culinary skills certificate
• University of Massachusetts Global: An associate degree in general education and bachelor's degrees in business administration, communications, legal studies, or organizational leadership
• North Carolina A&T State University: Bachelor's degrees in business information technology, economics, electronics technology, environmental health and safety, and information technology
• Southern New Hampshire University: Undergraduate degrees in business, computer science, criminal justice, art and design, and more
• Valencia College: Associate degrees (business, culinary management, hospitality management, and paralegal studies), bachelor's degrees (computing technology and software development, electrical and computer engineering technology, and nursing), and career and technical certificates (only available to California residents)

Learn more about these options on the Disney Aspire Program Catalog.

How To Get Tuition Assistance From Disney

For most employees, the best way to get tuition assistance from Disney is through the tuition assistance program. Most salaries and hourly employees qualify, and the company estimates there are over 94,000 eligible employees across the U.S.

If you're the child of an employee, you can apply for one of the Disney college scholarships. These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service, and demonstrated leadership.

Disney also offers full-time, salaried employees education reimbursement for career development opportunities. This is available to those who are interested in furthering their careers through professional and technical education related to their current roles. If you're interested in this program, speak with your manager or an HR representative.

How Do You Qualify for the Tuition Assistance Program?

To qualify for the Disney Aspire program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• have worked at Disney in an eligible role for at least 90 days
• be full-time or part-time employee
• be a salaried or hourly employee
• choose an in-network program from the approved list

To qualify for the Disney Scholars program, you must be the child of an employee and a high school senior. The company does not offer much more information about this opportunity.

For the higher education reimbursement, you must be a salaried employee, and you must be enrolling in a program related to your current position with the company. Speak to your manager or an HR representative to learn what programs qualify.

How To Apply for Disney Tuition Assistance

While Disney and Guild try to make the process for Disney Aspire simple, there are still a few steps you'll need to take to apply:

• 1. Determine your eligibility: Many employees at Disney qualify for Disney Aspire. However, you should verify your benefits before taking further steps.
• 2. Browse the catalog: The program catalog shows you what schools and programs are in-network. Note that some programs are only available to residents of specific states.
• 3. Choose a program: Determine which program you want to pursue, and check the school website for any additional education requirements.
• 4. Log in to the Disney Aspire website: You should be able to log in to the Disney Aspire website with your company email or ID. Through the website, you can apply to your program of choice. Certain programs may have specific steps for application.

If you're interested in applying for the Disney Scholars program or the reimbursement program, contact your benefits manager, HR rep, or department manager for more information.

FAQs About Disney Educational Benefits

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about Disney's educational assistance programs.

How Much Does Disney Offer in Tuition Assistance?

Disney does not list an amount they cover for their tuition assistance program. However, based on news reports from the end of 2024, it seems the company has an annual funding cap of $5,250 for its Disney Aspire program. This is likely due to tax reasons, as employees are taxed for tuition assistance above $5,250.

Does Disney Offer Tuition Reimbursement?

While the primary educational offering is the Disney Aspire program, Disney does offer a tuition reimbursement program. They don't provide much information about how this program works, but their benefits page indicates that they offer education reimbursement to salaried employees who are pursuing further education related to their current roles at Disney.

What Degrees Does Disney Pay For?

Currently, Disney is willing to pay for associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificates. Disney Aspire is essentially an education investment program, so the majors available are selected for high-potential success and career growth post-graduation.

What Schools Does Disney Pay For?

The current network schools in the Disney Aspire program are:

• Penn Foster High School
• Sophia Learning
• Bellevue University
• California State University Fullerton
• University of Central Florida
• Fullerton College
• Johnson & Wales University
• University of Massachusetts Global
• North Carolina A&T University
• Southern New Hampshire University
• Valencia College

Note that some schools are only available to in-state residents, and only select programs are available through these schools.

Can You Get Tuition Assistance if You Get Financial Aid?

You can still get tuition assistance if you qualify for financial aid. However, tuition assistance can affect how much financial aid you qualify for. If your tuition assistance covers the total cost of your program, you may not qualify for financial aid.

Earn Your College Degree

Utilize your Disney employee perks and earn your degree by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to your benefits manager or individual schools to learn more about how to use your Disney tuition assistance.