Fast Food Jobs That Pay for Students

Employee incentives can make or break a company’s hiring strategy in a competitive labour market. Though the hourly wage is often the first thing that job seekers notice, there may be additional benefits such as programs that assist employees in obtaining a college degree. Students who get tuition assistance are frequently reimbursed after completing a semester or a class.

Because the form of tuition aid programs differs by workplace, prospective students should inquire with human resources about their company’s tuition help policies. Reimbursement may also be capped at a particular cash level, which varies from employer to business. For example, Fast Food Jobs That Pay for Students restaurants provide tuition aid to their hourly workers.

Fast Food Jobs That Pay for Students

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A gives qualifying employees at more than 100 partner schools, universities, and other institutions tuition reductions of up to 30%. Discounts – and how they’re applied – aren’t all the same. Some colleges have a typical cost per credit hour, while others have a defined percent discount or a specified value discount. Some colleges provide as little as a 5% discount, while California Baptist University offers the most significant tuition reduction – 30 percent – to employees who enroll in an online degree program.

Chili’s Grill & Bar

Through a partnership with publishing giant Pearson Education, Chili’s, a fast-casual dining chain with more than 1,200 locations in the United States by 2020, offers the Best You EDU program to enable eligible employees to earn an associate degree online free. While Best You EDU focuses on associate degrees in higher education, Chili’s website claims that bachelor’s degree assistance will be available “soon.”

Chipotle Mexican Grill

The Mission-style burrito company supports or reimburses tuition for employees up to the IRS maximum of $5,250. In addition, on-the-job training at the burrito restaurant can earn you up to 37 college credits, lowering the number of credits required for a bachelor’s degree. Chipotle also covers 100% of tuition for employees who want to pursue college possibilities in agricultural science, hospitality, or supply chain through a relationship with Guild Education. This corporation oversees higher education programs.

KFC

KFC offers employees that qualify for the REACH Educational Grant Program. The program provides college tuition support in a grant, which does not have to be paid back. Nonmanagerial restaurant workers can receive awards ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 per academic year, while managers can receive up to $3,000. According to the corporate website, the funds can be used for an undergraduate or graduate degree from a two- or four-year college and vocational and trade schools.

Marco’s Pizza

In 2017, the pizza restaurant, founded in Toledo, Ohio, now had over 1,000 stores, started providing educational benefits to its full- and part-time employees. If they pursue a full-time online degree at Bellevue University, they can get up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement every year. In addition, according to the company website, employees’ immediate family members are eligible for up to $2,625 in annual tuition assistance.

McDonald’s

McDonald’s announced intentions to expand financing for its Archways to Opportunity tuition program by $150 million over five years beginning in 2018 following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. Whether an individual works full-time or part-time, tuition aid ranges from $2,500 to $3,000 each year. Employees must also be in “good standing as decided by the Franchise Owner/Operator.” According to the corporate website, they can attend a trade school, community college, or four-year university.

Starbucks

Although not strictly a fast-food restaurant, the Seattle-based coffee shop pays full tuition for Arizona State University’s online program, allowing its hourly part-time and full-time employees in the United States to acquire a bachelor’s degree. In addition, Starbucks reimburses its employees’ tuition and fees once each semester ends, thanks to a deal with ASU.

All benefits-eligible employees who have not previously acquired a bachelor’s degree are eligible for the program. According to the corporate website, part-time workers “establish first benefits eligibility on the first day of the second month after receiving a minimum of 240 total hours over three full, consecutive months.” One qualified family member can get the benefit of the veteran qualifies.

Papa John’s

Pizza parlor In 2019, Papa John’s entered the tuition discount game with a deal with Purdue University—West Lafayette’s online arm. Since then, the University of Maryland Global has been joined as a partner. Dough & Degrees is a program that provides tuition aid ranging from partial to full coverage according to the work type. For example, partner universities’ websites indicate different discounts for corporate workers vs those who work for franchise owners, implying that team members should check with management to learn about the complete benefits package accessible to them. The bonus is valid for both schools’ online programs.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut’s hourly employees can participate in Life Unboxed EDU, a tuition reimbursement program. According to the company website, the benefit is offered to all Pizza Hut employees and their immediate family members, and tuition discounts of up to 51% are available. In addition, the pizza franchise offers discounts on numerous online programs offered by Excelsior College through Life Unboxed and the possibility to transfer credits from company management training toward a degree.

Sheetz

This mid-Atlantic convenience store chain, known for selling fast food, offers tuition assistance. The family-owned company, which has over 600 sites, provides hourly employees up to $1,500 in tuition reimbursement every year — $750 per semester. In addition, Sheetz “works with 26 colleges and universities to offer tuition discounts for our employees,” according to the company’s website. Employees and their children can also benefit from other scholarships programs.

Taco Bell

Through a relationship with Guild Education, Taco Bell offers tuition savings. According to the company’s website, employees at Taco Bell can receive tuition reductions ranging from 5% to 20%. In addition, employees can get up to $5,250 in financing every year to pursue an online associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. In addition, partner universities may offer college credit based on Taco Bell instruction. Taco Bell also promotes academic coaching and financial assistance for college students and the Live Mas Scholarship for restaurant employees through its association with Guild Education.

White Castle

White Castle, which will have over 350 restaurants by 2020, offers a 10% tuition discount to its employees who enroll in an Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global degree program; the university offers classes online and through more than a dozen education centers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. In addition, full- and part-time employees of the hamburger business are eligible for tuition discounts at IWU for associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs, albeit not all programs are eligible.

What fast food restaurants help pay for college?

• Chick-fil-A
• Chili’s Grill & Bar
• Chipotle Mexican Grill
• KFC
• Marco’s Pizza
• McDonald’s
• Starbucks
• Papa John’s
• Pizza Hut
• Sheetz
• Taco Bell
• White Castle