July 27, 2021
Walmart Will Begin Covering 100% of College Tuition and Books for Associates
Walmart’s part-time and full-time Walmart and Sam’s Club workers who are based in the U.S. can say farewell to student loan debt, according to a press release.
All college tuition and books expenses will be covered for Walmart’s Live Better U (LBU) education program participants. Aug. 16 marks the big day that the perk will begin for associates. The current daily $1 fee will end for those who utilize LBU, to encourage a greater number of them to embark upon educational goals, according to Walmart’s announcement.
Over the duration of the next five-year period, Walmart promised to provide almost $1 billion in career growth and maturation of employees.
“We are creating a path of opportunity for our associates to grow their careers at Walmart, so they can continue to build better lives for themselves and their families,” Lorraine Stomski, senior vice president of learning and leadership at Walmart said in the announcement. “This investment is another way we can support our associates to pursue their passion and purpose while removing the barriers that too often keep adult working learners from obtaining degrees.”
Walmart employees who take advantage of LBU by earning a certificate or degree may work their way up career ladder.
“Our education offerings tie directly to our growth areas at Walmart, and what better way to fill the pipeline of future talent than with our own associates,” Stomski also said in the announcement.
Johnson & Wales University, the University of Arizona, the University of Denver and Pathstream will be added to education institutions which already partner with Walmart to foster success of working adults who seek to finish their degrees, according to Walmart.
In 2020, Walmart widened the breadth of LBU by including “skilled trades workforce certificates or digital certificates” within education perks which would cost their employees just $1 a day, according to an older announcement.