Taco Bell Free College

[natshar]

Taco bell offers tuition completely free at select schools and you get this benefit on day one of working there! No waiting to get the benefits. Almost all of these schools allow 90 credits transfer and many accept ace. They even have some self paced programs like brandman and even a self paced masters degree though Brandman too.

Here is the list: https://tacobell.guildeducation.com/cata...ytics=true
 I think the way to do this would be to take a bunch of free/cheap ace or Clep. Or even just cheap self paced RA courses to speed things up. Then work the minimum hours at taco bell (I think 20 hours a week) while pursing you bachelor's degree online for free. If you transfer in all but 30 credits this means you can finish your degree in a year or less if you worked at it for free.
I think this is pretty good deal and for those of us frustrated with the changes the big 3 has been making. The big downside is you have to work at taco bell.

[rachel83az]

Too bad that this isn't a buy 10 chalupas get 1 college class free thing.

[MNomadic]

Interestingly enough it looks like they have Master's degrees as part of their offerings. Not sure if they'd be free or just discounted.

[natshar]

Interestingly enough it looks like they have Master's degrees as part of their offerings. Not sure if they'd be free or just discounted.

It tells you. The Masters all fall into the max 5250 per year. However I don't know how much the programs cost. I know Brandman self paced for example is less than that per term. So if someone finished in one term or even even two terms it would be free. Also I believe the 5250 is per calendar year so it all depends when you start your schooling.

[bjcheung77]

Yeah - I'm gonna get a job at Taco Bell! LOL, just kidding... Most employers have some tuition assistance/reimbursement of some kind and that's what they're using. Chipotle for example also has this, but I don't think many will provide it on the first day of work, some go through a probation period basis. But employee benefits/tuition reimbursements are the way to go, other than that, unions who provide similar deals...

[Seagull]

Yeah - I'm gonna get a job at Taco Bell! LOL, just kidding... Most employers have some tuition assistance/reimbursement of some kind and that's what they're using.  Chipotle for example also has this, but I don't think many will provide it on the first day of work, some go through a probation period basis.  But employee benefits/tuition reimbursements are the way to go, other than that, unions who provide similar deals...

Any remote jobs there? 

Do not like their food, but I'll take a free degree.

[natshar]

Yeah - I'm gonna get a job at Taco Bell! LOL, just kidding... Most employers have some tuition assistance/reimbursement of some kind and that's what they're using.  Chipotle for example also has this, but I don't think many will provide it on the first day of work, some go through a probation period basis.  But employee benefits/tuition reimbursements are the way to go, other than that, unions who provide similar deals...

Yeah things that stood out to me that Taco bells program is different from most others:

1) it clearly states you can use this benefit on day one of employment. This is crazy to me. Meaning with proper planning one wouldn't have to work at taco bell a super long time.

2) a good portion of the degrees are 100% free (most other tuition Reimbursement programs are maxed out at 5250)

3) they offer high school diploma, associates, bachelor's and masters degrees and it doesn't say anything about having a degree. Sounds like anyone can qualify. (Starbucks asu program for example you are ineligible if you already have a bachelor's degree)


I know a lot of companies offer it. But that doesn't mean it is good.

One my jobs had it and it was frustrating. There were so many requirements: employed for 6 months, certain number of hours worked before and during the classes, had to be work related, had to get approved before you started the class, tons of paperwork and just all around a frustrating process. And you had to get a certain grade and we were limited to $1000 per year.

[ss20ts]

I worked at Taco Bell in high school and it was hell. $5000 towards a degree is not worth the work. I mean they pay minimum wage so think about that a bit. These programs typically also have stipulations such as company/management approval for the company paying your tuition. Meaning if you're going for a business hospitality degree they'll pay but if you want a degree in philosophy or art history or auto mechanics, they won't pay. There's usually a minimum grade for them to pay as well.

[dfrecore]

This is one I've been researching (Guild Education is the same company that does it for Verizon, Walmart & Chipotle). For a recent high school grad with little to no work experience, this would be an ideal situation:

1) minimal work requirements (20 hours/wk), starts on day one

2) for the "fully funded" degrees at Bellevue U, SNHU, Wilmington U, and Brandman U, this means no out-of-pocket costs - the company pays the school directly, and there doesn't seem to be a limit to how much they'll pay in a year

3) no limit to what type of degree you can get (so not limited to IT, Business, etc.).

One of my daughter's friends may come to live with us, she'll be 18 and won't have any money other than what she can make working, parents who won't fill out the FAFSA for her, and she can't get the job she really wants until she's older (she wants to be a flight attendant). So we've talked, and she is very open to getting 90cr of ACE and working at one of these places for the free tuition, getting her degree in a year, and then moving onto another job to get some good experience under her belt.

For someone in her circumstances, it's perfect. If she needs a job anyway, why not one that will pay for her college.

But I can certainly see that this is not idea for everyone. Really, it's not meant to be ideal, and most people at these companies are not going to take advantage of this (or stick around long enough to do more than a few courses).

[rachel83az]

A lot of people have to work in jobs that are hell anyway when they lack a degree. I wish this was a thing a few years ago and that more companies offered college benefits. I would've liked working retail a lot better if I'd have been able to get a college degree at the time.