11 Employer Tuition Assistance Programs That Pay Toward Your Degree

2. Starbucks — College Achievement Program

What it is: Starbucks’ College Achievement Program is a well-known model for employer-supported degrees aimed at frontline workers. The program partners with accredited colleges to offer online degree pathways tailored for working adults. Coverage typically includes tuition for eligible online bachelor’s or associate degree programs through approved partner schools, with advising and academic support included. How to apply: Employees usually enroll through the Starbucks benefits portal or a designated partner site, create an account, and select an approved program. Starbucks often requires employees to be active team members and may specify a minimum tenure or work status as part of eligibility criteria. What to watch for: Confirm the list of partner colleges and whether tuition is entirely paid or partially reimbursed. Also check for required grade standards and the process for transferring credits. If you plan to use both the employer benefit and federal tax credits, keep clear records of payments and invoices so you can determine what qualifies for tax credit claims. Quick tax note: Check whether Starbucks’ payments are processed directly with partner schools or reimbursed to the employee, and whether amounts beyond the federal exclusion are taxable income.