McDonald's Tuition Assistance & Scholarship Programs 2025

One out of every eight Americans had their first job at McDonald's, and since 2015 McDonald's tuition assistance has helped crew members pay for college and improve their job prospects. McDonald's scholarships provide financial aid to help cover costs at approved schools, with amounts ranging from $2,500 to $5,250.

McDonalds is one of many companies that offer tuition reimbursement programs. There are two categories of eligibility for McDonald's Archways: employees at corporately owned restaurants (McOpCo), and employees at franchises. Crew members must remain employed by the restaurant while in school, and maintain both their work performance and grades to continue receiving the grant.

Does McDonald's Pay For College?

Full-time and part-time employees can receive McDonald's tuition assistance as part of the company's Archways to Opportunity program. The beloved burger joint is one of many fast food companies that pay for college. Eligible employees can receive up to $5,250 in tuition assistance.

Since launching in April 2015, McDonald's has helped over 65,000 restaurant employees lower tuition costs. Take a look below to learn more about enrollment requirements and how to apply this tuition assistance benefit.

How To Get Tuition Reimbursement & Scholarships From McDonald's

Archways to Opportunity tuition assistance is open to McDonald's corporate and franchise employees, including managers, part-time workers, office staff, and maintenance. Funding is available for the following accredited schools:

• public or private college or university (two- or four-year programs)
• technical or vocational school
• graduate or post-graduate school

Store managers and full-time staff at corporate restaurants are eligible for $5,250. Part-time restaurant crew can receive $2,500 if they have been employed for 90 cumulative days and work an average of 15 hours per week. Both must maintain a performance standard of ''significant performance.''

At franchise locations, full-time staff are eligible for $3,000, while part-time staff can receive $2,500. They must follow the same eligibility requirements as corporate employees. Funds will renew each year, as long as the employee maintains qualifications.

Money can be used to cover eligible course expenses that are not covered by other scholarships or grants. Students can also use the funding to cover the cost of textbooks. Applications must be submitted 45 days before you begin classes.

McDonald's tuition reimbursement can help cover the cost of college courses and open new career opportunities for employees. However, if the McDonald's employee quits or is terminated, then they will no longer be eligible for funding.

How Do You Qualify for the Tuition Reimbursement Program?

McDonald's college scholarships are available for all staff, including general managers, part-time managers, restaurant crew, office staff, or franchise owners and operators. McOpCo full-time workers must have a ''significant performance'' rating and notify their supervisor of participation. McOpCo part-time team members must also maintain a ''significant performance'' rating, as well as work 15 hours per week and have reached 90 days of employment.

McDonald's tuition reimbursement requirements are slightly different for franchisees. First, make sure your operator participates in the program. Full-time employees must work a minimum of 30 hours per week and remain in good standing. Part-timers must work 15 hours per week and have been employed for at least 90 days. They must also keep in good standing.

How To Apply for McDonald's Tuition Assistance Program

To apply for a McDonald's scholarship for employees, you'll need to gather some personal information, create an account with Bright Horizons EdAssist Solutions, and fill in some information about your school. Once you have completed this, you'll be well on your way to completing your bachelor's with lower college tuition. Take a look at the steps below.

1. Gather Personal Information

You'll need the last four digits of your SSN, your employee information (including your restaurant address), the start and end dates of your college program, and information about any other scholarships or grants you are receiving.

2. Create an Account

McDonald's uses EdAssist Solutions, so you'll need to create an account there to get started. This will be your account for monitoring your Archways to Opportunity funding, so take the time to familiarize yourself with the site and ensure your information is all correct.

3. Submit an Application

When logged in, click New Application to begin. This is where you'll need most of the information from step one. Input your school information, including area of study and start/end dates, and your employer information. If you have other scholarships or grants, input the amounts and types.

Students at Colorado Technical University, a partner school, must follow additional steps to input information correctly. When you're finished, take the time to review your information one last time before hitting submit.

Your application will be reviewed by a panel and sent to your manager or franchise owner for approval. When it's approved, you will be emailed a Letter of Credit, which you should send to your school as soon as possible.

FAQs About McDonald's Education Benefits

You might still have questions about McDonald's educational benefits. If so, take a look at our FAQs below to learn more about how this grant can help you finish your degree with lower student loans.

How Much Does McDonald's Offer in Tuition Reimbursement?

Grant totals vary based on your position and whether you work for a corporate chain or franchise. Part-time workers can receive $2,500 regardless of where they work. Full-time franchise workers are eligible for $3,000 and full-time McOpCo workers can receive $5,250 since that is the maximum amount the IRS will allow employers to give without being taxed. Grants renew yearly.

What Degrees Does McDonald's Pay for?

McDonald's employees can use this educational benefit to complete their associate or bachelor's degree at an accredited college or university. You can also use funds to help pay for vocational school, or get your master's degree through an approved graduate or post-grad program.

What Schools Does McDonald's Pay for?

Teammates can use McDonald's funding to pay for tuition at any accredited two- or four-year college or university, vocational or trade school, graduate or post-graduate program. McDonald's partners with four schools: Colorado Technical University, WGU, Excelsior University, and DePaul University. However, students do not have to go to one of these schools to receive funding.

What Jobs Are Eligible For Scholarships?

Nearly any McDonald's team member is eligible for this scholarship. At franchise restaurants this includes full-time managers and staff, part-time managers and office staff, and restaurant crew. At corporate restaurants, full-time McOpCo store manager trainees, certified swing managers, department or general managers are eligible, as well as part-time McOpCo restaurant crew, floor supervisor, shift manager trainees, primary maintenance, and other part-time workers.

Earn Your College Degree

McDonald's may be a first job for many, but it can also be a stepping stone to bigger and brighter things through the Archways to Opportunity program. If you think you may be eligible for this grant but aren't sure where to apply the funds to yet, then take a look at the many accredited colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. You can take the next step in your education by reaching out to one today.