Top Career Training and Career Education Opportunities

Getting your company to pay for school

It is no secret that the cost for a college education has increased in recent years. At the same time, the amount of federal financial aid available to students has decreased. The difference could mean more out-of-pocket expenses for you. But the answer to your financial aid dilemma could be as close as your company's human resources office.

A survey of 1,428 chief financial officers conducted by Robert Half Finance & Accounting found that 46 percent of their companies provided some form of tuition reimbursement.

Under these company reimbursement programs, companies pay for employees to continue the education needed to maintain professional certifications and credentials. They also cover the cost of an employee's education when he or she is working toward a certificate, diploma or degree for the first time.

"I enrolled in an accelerated Bachelor's program at Webster University in Kansas City because my company is picking up the tab," said Jonice Daniels. "I have always wanted to get a degree, but with two children in private school and one in daycare, finding the money to go to school has been impossible."

Daniels, like many other workers, took advantage of her company's reimbursement program. "It was free money for college," she said. "It didn't make sense to pass that up."

If you are considering going back to school to complete your degree or you want to get career training or earn a degree for a new career, your employer might be able to help. Stop by your company's human resources office to see if your company is among the 46 percent that offer tuition reimbursement.