I'm considering a job at Walmart and heard they offer benefits related to college scholarships. Can anyone break down how these benefits work? It'd be great to know if they're worth it compared to other work-study options.
Walmart indeed offers education benefits to its employees through a program called Live Better U (LBU). The program covers 100% of college tuition and books for part-time and full-time Walmart associates. It is available after the first day of employment - you don't have to work for a certain period before becoming eligible, which is a significant advantage compared to many other companies' programs.
Through LBU, you earn a degree in technology, business, health, or supply chain management from one of the program's partner universities, which include Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Brandman University, and others. The program is designed to be flexible. Most of the degrees offered are online to accommodate employees' varying work schedules.
The best part about LBU, aside from the cost coverage, is that the program and degrees don't restrict you to staying at Walmart. The skills and knowledge you gain can be transferable to other companies and industries. Additionally, Walmart's program does not include a payback clause, meaning you don't have to continue working at Walmart for a certain period after you graduate.
As for the comparison to work-study options, the advantage with Walmart’s program is that it’s not limited to just students but extends to all employees. Traditional work-study programs are typically part of a college's financial aid package and are generally limited in amount and scope.
However, consider your academic goals before committing to this route. For instance, if you're interested in a degree not offered by the LBU program partners, you may want to explore other options. It's essential to align your job with your academic and career objective as much as you can.
In summary, Walmart’s LBU program is a real boon for employees seeking to continue their education at an affordable cost.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.