Good News, Veterans: Starbucks Is Expanding its College Assistance

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Starbucks’ active military and veteran employees just got a big perk. The Seattle-based coffee giant wants to pick up the college tab for military families.

Starbucks announced that its Starbucks College Achievement Plan, which provides its employees, vets included, with a tuition-free education at Arizona State University, is expanding to cover the tuition of a spouse or child of its military employees.

More than 4,000 Starbucks employees are taking advantage of the free tuition program. Employees who work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for the free college benefit.

Starbucks said its decision to expand its free tuition perk to veterans’ family members was an easy one.

“We have a responsibility as a nation to honor our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice, but it goes beyond saying thank you – we must put our thanks into action and collectively help those who are making the transition from military to civilian life,” Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz said in a statement.

In 2013, Starbucks committed to hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses by 2018. The coffee chain has surpassed the halfway mark, employing more than 5,500 vets and military spouses.

The coffee giant is also paying its active duty and reservist employees for up to 80 hours per year of service obligations.

What do you think of Starbucks’ expansion of its free tuition program? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.

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