Starbucks is adding onto its tuition reimbursement program, giving thousands of employees access to free college education at one online school.
The company unveiled the new details of its College Achievement Plan on Monday, according to the Associated Press. When the program began last year, it included only two years' worth of tuition for Arizona State University Online. Now, through a partnership with the school, eligible employees will be able to get their tuition reimbursed every semester they are enrolled. Four years of classes at ASU costs approximately $60,000.
As many as 2,000 Starbucks workers have already taken advantage of the program, and another 140,000 full and part time employees will be eligible, according to a statement by the company. Starbucks promised to help at least 25,000 people graduate by 2025.
While the program is generous, it does come with certain limitations. As part of its deal with ASU, Starbucks agreed not to promote other schools to its workers, so students who want to take college classes at any other institution won't get help with tuition.
Starbucks has struggled with bad publicity of late thanks to its disastrous "Race Together" campaign, where baristas were expected to add engaging in thoughtful, uncomfortable dialogue with customers to their already packed schedules.
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