Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) Tuition 2026

If you're looking for companies with tuition reimbursement or education benefits, Hackensack Meridian Health offers several programs designed to help employees advance their careers. Through tuition assistance, career coaching, and specialized workforce development initiatives, eligible team members may be able to reduce the cost of earning a degree or professional credential.

Whether you're pursuing a bachelor's degree, graduate education, a health care certification, or training for a high-demand clinical role, Hackensack Meridian Health provides multiple pathways to support your educational goals. Below, we'll go over the available programs and how they work.

Does Hackensack Meridian Health Pay for College?

Hackensack Meridian Health offers tuition assistance and educational support through Bright Horizons EdAssist and several internal workforce development programs. Depending on your role and career goals, you may qualify for tuition reimbursement, education coaching, professional certification support, or specialized funding for critical health care professions.

Tuition Assistance Through EdAssist

Hackensack Meridian Health's primary tuition assistance program helps eligible employees pay for approved degree programs and professional certifications that support their current position or an established career path within the organization.

Eligible educational programs may include:

• Associate degrees
• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees
• Select doctoral degrees
• Approved professional certifications and designations

Eligible full-time employees may receive up to $5,250 per year in tuition assistance, while eligible part-time employees may receive up to $2,625 annually.

To qualify, coursework generally must be related to your current job or a recognized career pathway within Hackensack Meridian Health.

Critical Roles Program

The Critical Roles Program provides additional educational assistance for high-demand clinical careers that support workforce needs throughout the health system.

Eligible fields of study include:

• Respiratory therapy
• Surgical technology
• Diagnostic medical sonography
• Cardiovascular sonography
• Registered vascular specialist programs
• Invasive cardiovascular technology
• Pharmacy technician programs
• Radiologic technology programs
• Computed tomography programs

One advantage of this program is that eligible employees can access assistance immediately upon hire rather than waiting to meet a service requirement.

ABSN Employment Bonus Program

Hackensack Meridian Health is one of several employers with tuition assistance for nursing students. It offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) Employment Bonus Program for nursing students.

Through this program, eligible students may receive up to $35,000 to help pay for tuition or student loans while completing an approved New Jersey ABSN program. In exchange, participants agree to work in a full-time nursing role with Hackensack Meridian Health for at least three years after graduation.

College Planning and Career Coaching

Hackensack Meridian Health's education benefits extend beyond tuition assistance. Through Bright Horizons programs, employees may also have access to:

• Career coaching
• Academic coaching
• Financial coaching
• College admissions guidance
• College planning support for dependent children

These resources can help employees make informed decisions about degree programs, career paths, and long-term educational goals.

What Is Bright Horizon’s EdAssist?

Bright Horizons EdAssist is an education benefits platform that helps employers manage tuition assistance programs while providing employees with education and career planning resources. Hackensack Meridian Health uses EdAssist to administer tuition assistance applications, provide education coaching, and connect employees with educational opportunities that align with their career goals.

In addition to managing tuition reimbursement, EdAssist offers access to education coaches who can help employees evaluate schools, compare programs, understand financial considerations, and create a plan for advancing their careers. For employees who are unsure where to start, these coaching services can be a valuable part of the overall education benefit.

How To Get Tuition Assistance From Hackensack Meridian Health

Hackensack Meridian Health offers several educational benefits, but most employees will use the tuition assistance program administered through Bright Horizons EdAssist. The program is designed to support team members pursuing education that aligns with their current role or a recognized career path within the organization.

Before enrolling in classes, it's a good idea to review the program requirements and confirm that your degree program, certification, or field of study qualifies for assistance. Because applications must be approved before coursework begins, planning ahead is important.

How Do You Qualify for Tuition Assistance?

To qualify for tuition assistance, your educational program must generally support your current position or an established career pathway within Hackensack Meridian Health.

Eligible programs may include:

• Associate degrees
• Bachelor's degrees
• Master's degrees
• Select doctoral degrees
• Approved certifications and professional designations

Courses must be offered by an institution holding regional or national accreditation. Professional certifications must be awarded by an approved certifying organization or educational institution.

To receive reimbursement, employees must successfully complete their coursework with:

• A grade of C or better for undergraduate courses
• A grade of B- or better for graduate courses
• A passing grade for pass/fail courses

Certification prep courses are only reimbursable if the employee successfully passes the associated certification exam.

The program generally does not cover:

• Books
• Fees
• Supplies
• Lodging
• Transportation
• Meals
• Certificate programs
• Continuing education units (CEUs)
• Seminars and workshops

Eligible full-time employees may receive up to $5,250 annually, while eligible part-time employees may receive up to $2,625 annually.

How To Apply for Hackensack Meridian Health Tuition Assistance

Hackensack Meridian Health administers tuition assistance through Bright Horizons EdAssist.

You can generally expect to follow these steps:

1. Create or log into your EdAssist account.
2. Meet with an Education Coach if you would like help evaluating schools, degree programs, or career pathways.
3. Submit a tuition assistance application before your course start date.
4. Obtain any required management approvals.
5. Pay your tuition and complete your coursework.
6. Earn the required grade for your degree program or certification.
7. Submit proof of successful completion and documentation of eligible expenses within 60 days of course completion.
8. Receive reimbursement after your documentation is reviewed and approved.

Because applications submitted after a course begins are generally not accepted, employees should complete the approval process well before classes start.

How Hackensack Meridian Health Compares to Other Employer Tuition Programs

Hackensack Meridian Health offers a combination of tuition assistance, education coaching, and workforce development programs that make it one of the stronger education benefits packages among New Jersey health care employers. Here’s how it compares to other hospitals with tuition assistance programs:

Hackensack Meridian Health vs. RWJBarnabas Health

As two of New Jersey's largest health systems, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health both invest heavily in employee education and career development.

RWJBarnabas Health combines tuition reimbursement with tuition discounts through partnerships with colleges and universities such as Arizona State University, CSU Global, National University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Western Governors University. Employees may benefit from both reimbursement and reduced tuition rates.

Hackensack Meridian Health takes a slightly different approach by pairing tuition assistance with Bright Horizons EdAssist coaching services and workforce development initiatives such as the Critical Roles Program. Employees who value one-on-one educational guidance may find the coaching component particularly helpful when choosing a degree or career path.

Hackensack Meridian Health vs. Northwell Health

Northwell Health, another major health system in the Northeast, offers tuition assistance, professional development opportunities, and workforce training programs for eligible employees.

Both organizations focus on developing internal talent pipelines and supporting long-term career growth. However, Hackensack Meridian Health's Critical Roles Program specifically targets high-demand clinical professions such as respiratory therapy, sonography, surgical technology, and radiologic technology, helping employees move into positions that are especially important to the organization's workforce needs.

Hackensack Meridian Health vs. Novant Health

Novant Health offers a broader mix of education benefits, including prepaid tuition through its Future Forward program, traditional tuition reimbursement, and a dedicated RN Educational Assistance Fund.

Hackensack Meridian Health's annual tuition assistance limits are similar to many employer-sponsored programs, but its combination of tuition assistance, career coaching, and specialized clinical workforce initiatives creates a more personalized approach to employee development. Employees who want guidance throughout the educational process may appreciate the support available through EdAssist and College Coach.

Key Differences To Consider

When comparing Hackensack Meridian Health to other employer tuition programs, consider:

• Annual tuition assistance limits
• Availability of education coaching
• Tuition discounts through partner schools
• Specialized funding for critical health care roles
• Nursing-focused education opportunities
• Professional certification support
• Degree program eligibility
• Career planning resources for employees and family members

For employees looking for both financial support and educational guidance, Hackensack Meridian Health stands out because it combines tuition assistance with coaching, workforce development programs, and specialized pathways into high-demand health care careers.

FAQs About Hackensack Meridian Health Education Benefits

Hackensack Meridian Health offers several programs that can help employees pay for college, earn professional certifications, and advance into high-demand health care careers. Below are answers to some common questions about tuition assistance, EdAssist, and specialized workforce development programs.

Does Hackensack Meridian Health Offer Tuition Reimbursement?

Hackensack Meridian Health offers tuition assistance for eligible employees pursuing approved degree programs and professional certifications that support their current role or a recognized career path within the organization.

Eligible full-time employees may receive up to $5,250 per year, while eligible part-time employees may receive up to $2,625 annually. Reimbursement is generally provided after successful course completion and submission of required documentation.

What Degrees Does Hackensack Meridian Health Pay For?

The tuition assistance program may cover approved associate, bachelor's, master's, and select doctoral degree programs, as well as certain professional certifications.

To qualify, the program generally must be related to your current position or an established career path within Hackensack Meridian Health. Courses taken solely for personal interest typically are not eligible for reimbursement.

Does Hackensack Meridian Health Help Employees Become Nurses?

Hackensack Meridian Health offers several nursing-focused education opportunities, including the ABSN Employment Bonus Program and support through its nursing education initiatives.

The ABSN Employment Bonus Program may provide up to $35,000 to eligible nursing students enrolled in approved Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs. In exchange, participants commit to working in a full-time nursing position with Hackensack Meridian Health for at least three years after graduation.

What Is Bright Horizons EdAssist?

Bright Horizons EdAssist is the platform Hackensack Meridian Health uses to administer tuition assistance and provide education coaching services.

In addition to managing reimbursement applications, EdAssist offers access to Education Coaches who can help employees compare schools, evaluate degree programs, explore career pathways, and understand education financing options.

Does Hackensack Meridian Health Pay for Certifications?

Certain professional certifications and designations may qualify for tuition assistance. Eligible expenses can include certification preparation courses and certification exam fees. However, employees generally must successfully pass the certification exam before reimbursement for preparation courses will be approved.

Do I Need To Apply Before My Classes Start?

Employees must submit a tuition assistance application before the course start date. Applications submitted after classes begin are generally not eligible for approval. To avoid missing reimbursement opportunities, it's best to complete the application process as early as possible and confirm that your program meets all eligibility requirements before enrolling.

Are Books and Fees Covered?

Hackensack Meridian Health's tuition assistance program primarily covers tuition expenses for approved degree programs and eligible certification costs.

Employees are typically responsible for books, fees, supplies, transportation, lodging, meals, and other educational expenses that fall outside the program's reimbursement guidelines.

Earn Your College Degree

Find out more about tuition assistance for college degrees by exploring the resources available on Learn.org. Reach out to Hackensack Meridian directly to find out more about its employee benefits.