Starbucks college achievement plan (what is the Starbucks college achievement plan, eligibility, application process + more information)

Some organizations have taken it upon themselves to ensure their employees achieve their educational goals. One such company is Starbucks, and you may be interested in learning how it does that. What is the Starbucks college achievement plan?

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan (SCAP) is a program by Starbucks that aims to help people, particularly those working at the company, to come closer to achieving their dreams and career goals. The program is a Qualified Education plan which is covered under Internal Revenue Code section 127.

As a student, I understand that college fees can be overwhelming and it is satisfying to see organizations taking the initiative to ensure their employees succeed. With SCAP, I believe that Starbucks has come to the aid of many aspiring students whose dreams are being crushed by the burden of student loans and skyrocketing tuition costs.

Eligibility and Participation

Program Eligibility

Starbucks refers to its employees as partners and strongly believes in investing in them. A partner must satisfy the outlined requirements to be eligible for and participate in SCAP. 

• The partner must be a Starbucks employee within the United States or be working in one of Starbucks subsidiaries in the United States, including Siren Retail Corporation, Evolution Fresh, and Starbucks manufacturing.
• The partner should not have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited university or college. Thus, the program only caters to those who want to get their first degree.
• The partner must complete the outlined program application process before the classes begin to ensure they are enrolled for the session.
• The partner must satisfy Arizona State University’s requirements for admission or what the university refers to as a student who is in “academic good standing”. For partners who do not qualify for admission initially, Starbucks and Arizona State University offer the pathway to admission program, where eligible partners can take up to 10 college-level courses to qualify for admission to the university. The credit conversion costs for these college-level courses are fully covered.
• The partner must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Starbucks Benefits Eligibility

In addition to program eligibility, the partners must be eligible for Starbucks benefits. Starbucks offers benefits available to employees upon hire and benefits with eligibility based on the hire date. The Starbucks college achievement plan is one of the benefits that require you to be eligible. Becoming eligible for the first time is based on the partner’s hours, role and location. The benefits plan description is sent to the partners after enrolling in a Starbucks benefit program. Therefore, partners who want to be part of SCAP must ensure they are benefits eligible.

Application Process

The application process is quite easy, and it only requires the following:

• The partner is required to apply and submit to any of Arizona State University’s online bachelor’s degree programs. 
• Arizona State University then provides the partners admission to one of the online degrees they are interested in.
• The partner then completes and submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other documents that the partner needs to complete their financial aid file every school year. These documents are available on the university’s website.
• The partners should also complete the online program application documents as required by Starbucks, including the signed acknowledgment form.
• Lastly, before beginning the online sessions, the partner is required to complete the program’s orientation, preparation tutorial, and ASU 10. The enrollment is available for the partner at their university’s account after they are admitted.

Financial Information

The SCAP Credit Maximums and Scholarship

The eligible partners receive the Starbucks tuition benefit and SCAP scholarship for up to 135 credits within the plan. The 135 credit maximum does not include any transferred credits to the university earned before being admitted to the degree program.

Additionally, eligible partners receive the SCAP scholarship in the amount of 42 percent of tuition, and it is applied automatically to the individual’s ASU account every session.

Tuition Benefit

The Starbucks tuition benefit covers class and college fees, the financial aid trust fee, the tuition expenses, any military or federal student aid, net of the SCAP scholarship received at the enrolment time, and any need-based aid from the university. Any private and merit-based academic scholarships applied to the fees and tuition will not reduce the Starbucks tuition benefit eligible expenses.

Excluded Expenses

• Except for what has been specified in the above section, no other expenses are eligible for the Starbucks tuition benefit. Some of the excluded expenses include but are not limited to:
• meals,
• workshops,
• textbooks,
• late registration fees,
• individual courses for sports,
• transportation and accommodation costs,
• conventions,
• hobbies, or recreations unless those that are part of an approved online bachelor’s degree program at the university,
• general school supplies,
• student loan interest,
• expenses associated with professional meetings,
• purchase of personal devices such as computer,
• insurance costs,
• licensures,
• graduate degree or class-related expenses.

Final Thoughts

Aspiring students are highly discouraged by the skyrocketing college fees and student loans that leave them in debt for long. It is satisfying to see that some organizations, such as Starbucks, have taken it upon themselves to help their employees achieve their educational and professional dreams by removing the burden of college costs off their shoulders.

FAQ Section

Is Starbucks an ASU affiliate?

Starbucks is not an ASU affiliate, but Starbucks has maintained a partnership with the university in which the company covers tuition costs for its employees at ASU.

How long do you have to work at Starbucks to get free college?

Participating in SCAP requires partners to work in the United States and be benefits eligible. Therefore, as long as you satisfy the given eligibility conditions, there is no specific timeline that you are needed to work at Starbucks to get free college.

Does Starbucks help with student loans?

No, Starbucks does not help with student loans. Through its SCAP program, Starbucks helps its partners (employees) achieve their educational dreams by assisting with the college costs for those with no prior degree.