Key Takeaway
- Tuition reimbursement is a benefit some companies offer to help offset the cost of college, so you can continue working and saving.
- Every company has different terms: some companies pay education costs upfront, while others reimburse you after you complete your courses.
- Below, we’re sharing 15 companies that have excellent tuition reimbursement programs worth looking into.
There’s no denying that the cost of college has skyrocketed in recent years. Most students graduate with thousands of dollars in student loan debt, which takes an average of twenty years to pay back. Getting some of those loans paid off through tuition reimbursement jobs can offer some relief.
Tuition reimbursement is one of those little-known perks that quite a few companies offer their employees. Companies that offer tuition reimbursement generally agree to pay eligible employees a set amount or a percentage of their college costs. This is great news for students who are struggling to get out from under their student loan debt.
But before we list some tuition reimbursement jobs, it helps to understand how it actually works.
How Does Tuition Reimbursement Work?
In general, tuition reimbursement is the money an employer gives an employee to help offset some of their college costs. The exact way tuition reimbursement works may vary from one company to another, as each company sets its own criteria in terms of eligibility requirements, the amount of reimbursement, and other conditions.
- Reimbursement After Completion: Some companies will ask you to first pay all college expenses on your own. You can submit a reimbursement form to the company only after you’ve completed a course, or sometimes a semester. When you’ve met all the requirements of the program, the company will cover the agreed-upon reimbursement amount in your next paycheck.
- Upfront Payment with Conditions: Some companies may pre-pay a part or percentage of your college costs in advance. In this case, you will be asked to agree to certain conditions to keep the money (i.e., maintaining a specific GPA or staying with the company for a set period). If you don’t meet the requirements, the company may require you to pay the money back.
Who Is Eligible for Tuition Reimbursement?
Several companies offer tuition reimbursement opportunities based on individual company terms and conditions. You may be eligible for tuition reimbursement in the following cases:
- Job Relevance: Some companies will only refund the partial or full cost of degree programs or courses that are directly related to your specific line of work. They consider this an investment in acquiring a more knowledgeable and higher-performing workforce.
- Any Coursework: Other companies may reimburse part or full tuition for any coursework that you’ve taken.
- Partner Institutions Only: Some companies only offer reimbursement for courses taken at partnering colleges or universities.
Regardless of the way a program works or its requirements, tuition reimbursement is typically a win-win for both employers and employees. Employers benefit from a more-qualified workforce and potential tax advantages, while employees benefit from getting a chunk of their student loans paid off.
15 Top Companies That Offer Tuition Reimbursement
Among large corporations, government agencies, and even non-profits, you might be surprised at the companies that offer tuition reimbursement. Here are 15 tuition reimbursement jobs that you may consider looking into:
1. AMAZON
Amazon has a special Career Choice program that pre-pays up to 95% of the total college costs, including tuition and fees, for all qualifying employees after 90 days. This is subject to a yearly maximum of $2,625 for part-time employees and $5,250 for full-time employees. It is only applicable towards courses that lead to a certificate or associate degree in high-demand occupations, including healthcare, medical lab technologies, IT, computer-aided design, nursing, and aircraft mechanics, among others.
2. FIDELITY
Fidelity refunds up to 90% of the total cost of college up to a maximum of $5,250 a year. Full-time employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement after six months of working at Fidelity. To receive this perk, employees must have taken a work-related course at an accredited college or university.
3. DELOITTE
Deloitte offers full tuition reimbursement to employees through its Graduate School Assistance Program, which supports employees seeking a graduate degree. In addition, they also offer a technology stipend and discounts on GMAT preparatory courses.
Note that to be eligible for this reimbursement, employees:
- Must have completed two years of employment to qualify for the program.
- Are required to continue working for Deloitte for a minimum of two years after returning from grad school.
4. VERIZON
Verizon has multiple tuition reimbursement programs with different eligibility criteria:
- Full-time employees who have completed a course related to the company’s business are eligible for a refund of up to $8,000 annually.
- Those who have completed a program that’s not related to the company’s business get a refund of up to $5,250 annually.
- Part-time employees completing coursework related to the business are eligible for up to $4,000 a year.
5. AT&T
AT&T’s tuition reimbursement program is part of its employee benefits package. All employees, including full-time and part-time, management and non-management employees, are eligible. Employees must have worked a minimum of six months at the company to receive the annual tuition assistance of up to $5,250. The reimbursement is only available for approved education costs, which include most college degrees. It is not available for certification programs.
6. PROCTER & GAMBLE
A household name, Procter & Gamble refunds full-time employees up to 80% of pre-approved education costs. The reimbursement is subject to a lifetime cap of $40,000. In addition to working full-time with P&G, employees must also meet two other requirements to receive tuition assistance:
- The courses or programs they’ve taken must be related to existing or potential positions within the company.
- Employees must obtain pre-approval for programs they enroll in.
7. CITIZENS
Citizens offers valuable career-building perks, including tuition reimbursement for employees looking to advance their education while working. Eligible full-time and part-time employees can receive between $3,150 and $7,000 annually for preapproved tuition, books, and related expenses.
The program covers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and non-credit courses, including high-demand fields like business, leadership, AI, cybersecurity, finance, and more. You’ll be eligible after just six months of employment, and you can even take advantage of exclusive low rates on Citizens student lending products for current tuition or refinancing.
8. BANK OF AMERICA
Bank of America reimburses up to $7,500 annually as part of its tuition assistance program. All employees are eligible to apply after having worked with the company for at least six months. The reimbursement is only applicable towards job-related college courses or degree programs.
9. FORD COMPANY
The popular car manufacturer, Ford, has a generous tuition reimbursement program. They will refund full-time employees up to $6,000 after 90 days of employment. This refund covers a wide range of certifications, including a GED, associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or approved certificate programs. However, the certification must meet two conditions:
- It must be related to the employee’s position at Ford.
- It must be earned from an accredited educational institution.
10. HOME DEPOT
At Home Depot, employees are eligible for tuition assistance as soon as they begin employment. However, the refund amounts vary by role:
- Salaried employees can get a refund of up to $5,000 annually per college year.
- Full-time hourly employees can be refunded $3,000 per year.
- Part-time hourly employees can be refunded $1,500 per year.
11. STARBUCKS
Besides the free coffee, one of the best perks about working at Starbucks is that they’ll help cover the full tuition of their employees. To be eligible, employees will need to enroll online at Arizona State University. The tuition payment is 100% upfront with no strings attached. However, employees must work a minimum of 20 hours a week to remain eligible.
12. UPS
UPS offers full-time and part-time employees up to $5,250 per year for tuition reimbursement. Employees are eligible as soon as they start working for the company. Those who participate in the Earn & Learn program have a lifetime maximum of $25,000 towards their total college costs.
13. BEST BUY
Best Buy aims to protect the mental, physical, work-life, and financial well-being of its employees. Eligible employees can receive up to $3,500 per year for undergraduate coursework and up to $5,250 per year for graduate-level programs. This assistance covers tuition, required textbooks, and fees (up to $325 for undergraduates and $525 for graduates).
To qualify, employees must:
- Work full-time (32+ hours per week)
- Have completed at least six months of continuous service prior to the course start date
- Maintain a minimum grade of “C-” for undergraduate and “B-” for graduate courses
- Note: Pass/fail courses are not eligible for reimbursement
14. CHIPOTLE
All employees at Chipotle are eligible for tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year. Chipotle also offers 100% tuition-paid program options through its partner program, Guild. Students can apply this to undergraduate and master’s degrees, approved certificates, a GED, and English language learning.
15. TARGET
Target has a program called Dream to Be that partners with Guild to help employees pay for their education. Employees who are pursuing their first degree have some programs available to them that can be covered up to 100%. For continuing-ed, non-master’s degree programs can be covered up to $5,250 per year. Target also pays up to $10,000 annually for those pursuing a master’s degree.
There are many companies that desire to help their employees pay for their education. If you are unsure whether or not a company offers tuition reimbursement, never hesitate to simply ask! While the amounts and terms may vary, every little bit can help reduce the burden of student loan debt. Spend some time researching companies and their reimbursement requirements, and you might be surprised to come across one that you qualify for!
Another smart way to offset college costs? Scholarships. Tuition reimbursement is a great perk—but it’s not the only way to save on your education. Scholarships are free money you don’t have to pay back, and there are thousands out there waiting to be claimed. Find scholarships for FREE today with College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool.
