How to Ask Your Employer for Tuition Assistance

Working while going to school is common: More than half of college students work full time, according to a 2026 survey from Ellucian, a higher education software company.

Adult student taking notes while working on a laptop at home.

With many employers offering financial assistance to further their employees’ education, working while in school can be a great way to enhance knowledge and skills. For example, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported that in 2025:

82 percent of employers surveyed offered formal training or education to help employees keep their skills current.

79 percent of employers surveyed offered their employees benefits for upskilling and reskilling.

Employer tuition assistance programs in particular can help individuals earn college degrees and gain new expertise, benefiting both employers and employees.

For people who want to work while completing online degree programs, understanding how to ask employers for tuition assistance can make furthering their education more affordable. Exploring the advantages of employer tuition assistance can be a good place to start.

What Is Employer Tuition Assistance?

Employer tuition assistance is an employee benefit through which an employer helps pay some or all of the costs of an employee’s education. Depending on the program, employers may cover tuition directly, reimburse employees for eligible education expenses, or provide other forms of financial support.

For working adults, combining that assistance with options such as university-offered credit for prior learning can help make earning a degree more attainable.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

A common type of tuition assistance that employers provide is tuition reimbursement. Under an employer tuition reimbursement program, an employee who meets the employer’s eligibility requirements pays tuition up front; after the employee successfully completes courses, the employer reimburses the cost of tuition.

Employers’ tuition reimbursement requirements vary. For example, an employer may require an employee to:

Explain how taking courses will benefit both the employee and the employer

Have worked for the employer for a minimum amount of time

Take courses that are related to their job

Earn minimum grades (for example, a grade of C or higher)

Work for the employer for a specified amount of time after taking courses

People interested in online learning should also know that accredited online degree programs are respected, and many employers reimburse employees for tuition paid toward such programs.

Prospective students should also be aware of the tax implications of educational assistance. The IRS generally allows individuals to receive up to $5,250 in employer-offered educational assistance without taxation; it taxes any employer-offered educational assistance above that limit as wages.

Other Types of Employer Tuition Assistance

While many employers reimburse employees for tuition and related fees, others offer different forms of tuition assistance. For example, some employers:

Help employees repay their student loans

Award scholarships to employees

Reimburse employees for the cost of books, materials or equipment necessary to pursue a degree

Employers may also offer flexibility or other support alongside tuition assistance, such as time off to pursue an education or the ability to return to their position after completing a degree.

Benefits of Employer Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance can benefit both employees and employers.

Employees who receive tuition assistance from employers can:

Lower the cost of earning a degree

Pursue personal growth

Earn new credentials to strengthen their resumes

Gain the skills and expertise necessary to seek career advancement

Increase their earning potential

Employers who provide tuition assistance to employees can:

Attract and retain employees who have a growth mindset

Promote a culture of learning within their organizations

Strengthen employee job satisfaction

Address skills gaps within their organizations

Reduce the long-term costs of hiring and training new employees

Tips for Requesting Employer Tuition Assistance

Employees planning to request employer tuition reimbursement or another form of employer tuition assistance should consider the tips below.

Establish Clear Goals

Employees should clarify what they want to achieve by furthering their education and earning a degree. Consider the expertise a degree provides and think about how gaining that expertise will help in pursuing career advancement or helping an employer grow or strengthen its operations.

Identify the Degree Program to Pursue

Employees can identify a degree program that aligns with their goals and learn what it involves. Becoming familiar with the knowledge and skills the program provides, its costs, and how it could benefit the employer can help employees make well-informed requests.

Research Employer-Offered Education Benefits

Before requesting tuition assistance, employees should learn about the educational assistance their employer provides. They should review eligibility requirements, covered expenses, reimbursement limits and any conditions they must meet. For example, some employers require employees to repay financial assistance if they leave the organization within a specified period.

Employees whose employers don’t offer tuition assistance can still request it. They should prepare a clear proposal that specifies their goals, what they’re requesting, the associated cost, and how the expertise they gain could benefit both them and their employer.

Consider the Timing of the Request

Picking the right time to request employer tuition assistance can be advantageous. For example, employees can make the request after discussing their achievements during a performance review or after successfully completing an important project. They can also consider aligning the timing of their request with the employer’s periodic budget planning process.

Have a Conversation with a Supervisor

Employees can discuss their educational goals and employer tuition assistance request directly with their supervisor. When having that conversation, employees should:

Be concise and clear about their request

Explain why they want to pursue the degree

Discuss specific ways their new knowledge and skills can help their organization

Explain how they plan to balance their education and work responsibilities

Remain respectful of the supervisor’s time

Stay professional at all times

After that conversation, employees should follow up with an email thanking the supervisor and reiterating their interest in pursuing their education.

Take the Next Step Toward a Degree

Employer tuition assistance can make earning a degree more affordable while helping you build knowledge and skills that can support your career goals.

If you’re interested in earning an undergraduate or a graduate degree, explore SEMO Online’s more than 50 fully online degree programs. You can benefit from the flexibility of online learning while earning a degree from an accredited institution. SEMO Online also offers an Employer Tuition Reimbursement Guide to help you understand the employer tuition reimbursement process.

If you prefer in-person learning, SEMO also offers a wide variety of on-campus degree programs. Explore your options and begin working toward your educational goals today.

Recommended Readings

What Are Stackable Credentials?

Leading by Example: Justin Jansen’s MBA Journey

Infinite Discoveries Await: Kyle Schwartz’s Student Journey

Sources:

ADP, Education Assistance Benefits

BenefitEd, Provide Access to Further Education and Upskilling

Bright Horizons, “How to Pay for College: 7 Tips to Fund Continued Education as an Adult Learner”

Ellucian, New Ellucian Survey Finds 56% of College Students Are Employed Full-Time, 89% Would Change Schools for More Scholarship Aid

Fyxer, “How to Ask for Something at Work: Templates & Expert Tips for Success”

Gusto, What Is Tuition Reimbursement?

Indeed, “Tuition Reimbursement: Considerations for Employers”