Getting a job as a student is a great way to gain work experience, learn transferable skills you can take with you for future positions, and — most important of all — make enough money to help pay for your education or any other living expenses you have. Some choose to get an on-campus or work-study job. And while those are convenient options due to proximity, they aren’t always an option, as roles can fill up fast. For many, getting a job off campus is a feasible option, especially for remote students or commuters who are going to school while living at home.
What’s great about some of these jobs is that outside of the wages you earn, some companies offer a benefit to workers that will actually assist its employees with tuition as an additional perk — meaning, they will either pay or help pay for your education. This is a benefit that can help students tremendously, helping you get an education while providing a life for yourself.
Even better, jobs with this benefit (especially jobs that offer it for part-time employees) are actually more common than you might think. So, to start you off with some ideas, here are 16 companies that offer education benefits for students to make use of.
Starbucks
Starbucks’s Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP) is truly one of a kind because full-time and part-time employees (who complete the FAFSA form and are earning their first time bachelor’s degree) are eligible for 100% tuition coverage. Yes, you read that right — your education is fully covered. The only thing to note is that this program specifically requires you getting your degree online from Arizona State University (ASU).
Best Buy
Employees at Best Buy are offered tuition benefits through a few different programs. Degrees@Work, powered by Strayer University, allows employees (excluding seasonal employees and interns) to take up to eight undergraduate or graduate courses annually that are fully covered through the No Cost – No Debt College Degrees program. Employees also have access to a free Sophia subscription, which provides general education college courses. The company also offers tuition discounts, reduced fees, and scholarships for select on-campus and online programs.
Capital One
Capital One provides up to $5,250 each year for tuition and books at more than 300 colleges and universities nationwide. Capital One also lets employees take advantage of free educational advising.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s has a tuition assistance program called “Archways to Opportunity” that helps both full-time and part-time employees pay for their education; full-time employees are eligible for $5,250 of tuition assistance and part-time employees are eligible for $2,500 of tuition assistance each year. There are certain requirements, such as having a performance rating of “significant performance” or better prior to and during your program. You must also be employed at McDonald’s for at least 90 days and work at least 15 hours a week.
Chipotle
Chipotle offers its employees a tuition-free education benefit through the talent and workplace platform Guild. There are 300+ programs in 20+ schools available in areas like healthcare, business, technology, and more. The online classes have flexible start dates and the program covers up to $5,250 a year for those seeking undergraduate degrees, master’s degrees, certificates, high school completion, college prep, and English language learning (ELL).
Target
Another company that has a customized education benefit program through Guild is Target. Employees have access to select programs where 100% of your tuition is paid, partnering with 250+ programs from 40+ colleges and universities.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s has an education program with a fitting name: “Dough and Degrees.” This program allows corporate employees to enroll free of charge and get their education paid for. The programs of study include associate, bachelor, master’s, career online high school, ELL, and continuing professional education. The program partners with specific online schools where employees can get their education paid for by Papa John’s including Purdue University Global, University of Phoenix, WGU, University of Maryland Global Campus, and more.
Kroger
Kroger, a popular U.S. supermarket chain in certain regions of the country, offers education benefits aimed at assisting its employees’ personal and professional growth. Kroger’s continuing education program offers associates up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over the course of their career. This money can be used for different types of education like to complete a GED, a college degree, or a specialized certification.
Publix
Publix, another popular supermarket chain, has a tuition reimbursement program that helps cover the cost of undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with individual courses, online programs, and technical training. The company’s website includes a list of specific undergraduate majors that are covered, and other programs are eligible if related to an associate’s current role. Graduate degrees, individual courses, and occupational or technical programs are also available.
T-Mobile
If you view T-Mobile’s benefits guide, the company offers two different education benefits for its employees. The first is tuition assistance, in which you go to a school of your choice and the company pays a portion of your tuition if the education is related to your role (or another role at T-Mobile). Full-time employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually and part-time employees are eligible to receive $2,500 annually. T-Mobile also has a full tuition benefit in which the company pays the full tuition if you enroll with one of the several schools that are partnered with the company.
FedEx
For those in the U.S. or Canada, according to the company’s career page, FedEx has a tuition reimbursement program, offering employees $5,250 of tuition covered by FedEx per year. This benefit can cover college, trade, vocational, or technical school, so whatever educational pathway you are interested in, FedEx will help you pursue it.
UPS
Speaking of working in delivery service, UPS also has an education program for its employees, called the “earn and learn program.” Through this program, employees can receive up to $5,250 per calendar year toward their tuition, with a lifetime maximum of $25,000. Employees are free to choose any subject to study, with no course restrictions.
Verizon
According to Verizon’s website, employees are eligible for its higher education benefit if the education you’re receiving meets the program requirements and employees work at least 20 hours per week. If you work between 20 to 29 hours, you are entitled to $4,000 annually. Anyone who works 30 or more hours can get $8,000 annually. Verizon also has a “Get Certified” program in which employees can get access to prep courses and test prep for certifications in business, IT, network, or security.
Walmart & Sam’s Club
Associates who work in either of these stores are eligible for the “Live Better U” (LBU) education program. This program pays 100% of employees’ undergraduate tuition and books, when done with a qualifying program within one of its partner institutions. This program is also through Guild and the degrees mostly align with roles you could get at the company, like business, computer science, and supply chain management. Some of its partner schools include Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Northwestern University, University of California, Irvine (UCI), University of Arkansas, and Bellevue University.
Texas Roadhouse
At Texas Roadhouse, qualifying employees can receive tuition assistance by taking courses or earning a degree at an accredited school or university, with up to $5,250 annual reimbursement.
Apple
According to Scholarships360, Apple has an educational assistance program in which employees who work at least 20 hours a week are eligible for $5,250 annually. This money can go toward tuition, books, fees, and necessary software. Apple also has a partnership with UMass Global in which you can get your degree at a discount.