Did you know that 92% of employers offer tuition reimbursement as a benefit? Yet, the 2.5 million employees never take advantage of this offer. Don’t be among those who miss out on having your company invest in your career development!

Accessing funds from your employer to pay for a certificate program can be less intimidating than you might think! In fact, over 200 Pathstream students have already gotten their employers — ranging from Amrock to Sprouts to REI to Booz Allen to finance their tuition. You can too.

3 Easy Steps to Access Employer Tuition Reimbursement

If you are eligible for benefits from your employer, Pathstream can help provide all the supporting documentation you’ll need. To get started:

• Learn about your employer’s education or professional development policies. Many employers offer up to $5,250 per employee per year because they can deduct this from their payroll taxes. Sometimes companies will also reallocate conference or travel budgets to allow you to cover training costs. It never hurts to ask!
• Talk to your manager. Explain what you’ll learn and how it will be relevant to your job. If you want a copy of the program syllabus to help you explain exactly what will be covered, just email [email protected] and we’re happy to send you one. Make the case for how what you will learn will help you take on new responsibilities in your current position or grow into a new role your company needs filled.
• Assemble your documentation. Pathstream and our university partners can help you assemble the documents your employer might need including an invoice, evidence of Continuing Education Units (if applicable), and a syllabus. You will also be issued a certificate or digital badge when the program ends that you can present to employers to prove you passed the program. If you need to find a program that counts for academic credit, we can also point you to the right programs.

Unlock tax benefits and financial savings for you and your employer

Did you know there are actually tax benefits your employer can access when they fund educational expenses? When employers offer tuition reimbursement, they can claim tax savings on FICA/FUTA/SUTA and workmen’s compensation expenses. You can forward your employer an article like this one to help them learn about these benefits.

Additionally, as an employee, you will not need to pay federal income tax on the tuition if you receive this benefit from your employer. It is a win-win situation!

Finally, to continue making the business case to your employer, you can let them know that research shows that for every $1 a company spends on tuition reimbursement, they save $1.29 in recruiting costs. It pays to invest in your people!

The bottom line: just ask!

If the cost of tuition is holding you back from enrolling, don’t overlook asking your employer for financial assistance. You can make a strong business case for why this is a worthwhile investment not only in you — but in the growth of your company. You’ll help them save on recruiting costs, accrue tax benefits, and bring a culture of learning to your workplace.

Take it from Lashika Renee Williams, an employee of the City of Charlotte: “I saw the (Facebook Digital Marketing) certificate program and shared it with my manager who immediately encouraged me not only to sign up but also volunteered that my employer could cover the costs. Since completing, I’ve been given new responsibilities because of my new skills.”

Learn more about our digital skills certificate programs here!