Starting this fall, Target has announced it will help students pay for their education with its new debt-free education assistance program.
This will benefit more than 340,000 target employees, both full-time and part-time who work at the stores, distribution centers, and headquarters locations. The program will have access to free undergraduate and associate degrees, certificates, boot camp programs, textbooks, and fees.
The company is partnering with Guild Education, an upskilling platform that provides easy access to over 250 programs from over 40 schools, universities, and colleges.
Direct payments to direct institutions will be provided for non-master’s degrees, of up to $5,250, and $10,000 will be funded annually for master’s programs.
The chief human resources officer of Target, Melissa Kremer, said in a statement “A significant number of our hourly team members build their careers at Target, and we know many would like to pursue additional education opportunities.”
“We don’t want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, and that’s where Target can step in to make education accessible for everyone.”
Target is investing $200 million in the Target Forward strategy commitment over the next four years, it aims to eliminate student debt for its team.
With partnerships from schools, colleges, and universities like Oregon State University, Morehouse College, and others to choose from, it will give opportunities to fit the staffs’ interests, career goals, and schedules – making it flexible for them to continue working while continuing their education.
