Walmart said Tuesday that it would soon begin paying 100% tuition and book fees for its employees attending classes and courses at a select handful of colleges and universities.
In a press release, Walmart said that beginning Aug. 16, it would drop the $365 annual fee for its workers to join its Live Better U education program. That means that all 1.5 million Walmart and Sam’s Club employees will be eligible to earn college degrees from 10 academic institutions at the company’s total expense.
According to Walmart, the company launched the Live Better U program in June 2018 to help its employees pursue their education.
The program covers tuition and books for employees taking certain classes at Brandman University, Penn Foster, Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, Wilmington University and Voxy EnGen.
On Tuesday, Walmart said that it was adding four more “academic partners” to the program — Johnson & Wales University, the University of Arizona, the University of Denver and Pathstream. The company also said that the institutions would now be offering new degrees and certificate programs like business administration, supply chain and cybersecurity.
CNN reports that workers must remain employed with Walmart either part-time or full-time while taking classes to be eligible for free tuition.
