Disney Offers to Pay Tuition for 80,000 Hourly Workers

CBS News reports that Walt Disney is offering to pay full tuition for hourly employees who want to earn a college degree, finish high school, or learn a new skill. As many as 80,000 hourly workers in the United States could be eligible for the program, which pays upfront tuition for employees taking online classes starting this fall. The entertainment giant initially plans to invest $50 million into the "Disney Aspire" program and up to $25 million a year after that. The program includes a network of schools and offers a range of degrees and disciplines. Disney joins other large corporations that have started paying tuition for workers. Walmart, for example, plans to offer workers the chance to get a college degree at three universities via online programs. Starbucks, meanwhile, partners with Arizona State University to offer tuition coverage for U.S. workers earning an undergraduate degree.