Working part team can help with tuition
These part-time jobs, such as work-study and content creation, can help pay your tuition and other expenses.
Many college students are taking on jobs to help ease the financial stress of paying for college — while juggling curricular and extracurricular activities. Nearly half of families, 48%, said they use their income and savings to help finance college, according to Sallie Mae’s “How America Pays for College 2025” report. In 2024-2025, families spent an average of $30,837 on higher education, up from $28,409 the previous year, according to the report. Here are eight types of part-time jobs that can help cover some of the costs of college — including some that offer tuition benefits.
Work-study
Need-based federal work-study programs allow you to earn money through part-time work, often in a role related to your field of study. This can mean working for your college on campus or off campus with a qualified employer — usually a public or nonprofit agency.
You can apply for work-study when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Undergraduates are paid by the hour, while graduate students may earn an hourly wage or salary, depending on the type of work.
On-campus jobs
Your college may be the perfect place to earn extra income. Some students receive a stipend that covers part or all of their education expenses. Students who work as resident advisors often receive free housing, and graduate students who become teaching assistants sometimes receive tuition benefits. Some colleges offer scholarships for student employees through their departments, such as the University Recreation Center (UREC) Student Employee Scholarship at James Madison University in Virginia.
Companies with tuition assistance
Many companies offer tuition assistance programs — benefits that cover part or all of your tuition costs — usually after you’ve worked for the company for a certain period of time and stayed on the job. Eligible Amazon employees can receive up to 95% of their tuition assistance each year. Bank of America and AT&T offer tuition reimbursement to employees who have worked for the company for at least six months and are enrolled in job-related college courses or degree programs. Companies like Wells Fargo and Home Depot also provide assistance to employees’ immediate family members.
Delivery companies with education benefits
Some courier and delivery companies offer a range of tuition reimbursement options for part-time employees. UPS has offered tuition assistance for more than 25 years, with eligible employees receiving up to $25,000 for college tuition and other school-related expenses.
FedEx offers up to $5,250 per year for students working toward a college degree or attending trade school in the U.S. or Canada. Amazon Carrier Choice offers prepaid tuition and reimbursement for books and certain other fees for eligible employee-students, with an annual limit.
Food industry jobs
Some restaurants and fast-food chains have tuition reimbursement programs for student employees. Chipotle’s Guild program offers up to $5,250 per year for undergraduate and graduate degrees in its program catalog. Chick-fil-A, Inc.
awarded more than $27 million in scholarships to team members in 2025, which can be applied to any field of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, according to its website.
Some also partner with colleges, such as the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, which covers tuition for more than 180 online bachelor’s degree programs at Arizona State University.
Offers tuition assistance to retain employees
College can be expensive. The high cost of tuition is often a major factor in whether someone decides to pursue higher education. While a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant may not cover the full cost of attending school, many employers help their workers through tuition assistance programs.
These benefit programs vary in structure and dollar amounts, but all are intended to help employees work toward a degree or certification. Here are 12 fast-food chains that offer some form of tuition assistance to their hourly employees.