Starbucks Coffee by StephenGilmer licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0

On Tuesday Starbucks and Arizona State University announced that over 1,000 Starbucks employees would start classes at ASU this fall. The students from all over the U.S. will be starting online classes on Oct. 15 as part of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.

In June, Starbucks announced employees, or partners, based in the U.S. who work an average of at least 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the program. Partners admitted to ASU with junior or senior standing will earn full tuition reimbursement to complete their bachelor’s degree. Partners with freshman or sophomore standing will be eligible for partial tuition scholarships, as well as need-based financial aid. In addition to reimbursement for tuition costs, partners will also have a dedicated enrollment coach, academic adviser, and financial aid counselor. Starbucks partners can attend ASU Online part time or full time.

Starbucks partners receive a scholarship up front that covers some of the cost of attendance. In addition, partners are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each time partners at junior or senior standing complete 21 credit hours, they will be reimbursed for the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees. The company says their reimbursement will automatically show up in their paycheck.

Starbucks has said partners will have no commitments to Starbucks after they complete their degree. Therefore, partners will not need to repay scholarships or continue working at Starbucks after completing their degrees. While many corporate educational benefit programs usually come with specific major requirements, Starbucks partners are able to major in whatever they choose. ASU Online has 40 online undergraduate programs available to students. Starbucks announced the most popular majors this semester are business, education, organization leadership, and psychology.

Starbucks said they chose ASU Online because their mission, values and brand are similar to Starbucks. ASU President, Michael Crow, said, “ASU is thrilled to welcome more than 1,000 Starbucks partners to the Sun Devil family.” He continued, “we are proud that this public-private partnership will enable Starbucks partners to achieve the dream of a college degree and the lifetime of advantages that an ASU education provides.”

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