By Samantha Lynch

   Currently, the United States population holds a total of $1.59 trillion of student loans and debt. This is alarming for prospective high school students and parents. While many states offer prepaid college education payment plans, oftentimes students are responsible for paying for their college. This adds stress for students to earn scholarships and get their degree from an in-state college. Therefore, out-of-state colleges and universities are often found off-limits to those paying out of their pockets, as out-of-state tuition can range from $25,000-$80,000. As a result, the Biden administration has signed a bill to relieve $3 billion of student loans. While this is an amazing step in the right direction, students are still struggling to pay for their education. In an attempt to help this crisis, many successful and high-earning companies are offering to assist their employees with student bills and debts.These companies include: Target, Walmart, Chipotle, Starbucks, Disney, etc. 

   Walmart’s “Live Better U” program offers to pay for 100 percent of their employees tuition and books. This applies for both their full and part time employees, leaving them responsible to pay for only their housing and other expenses. Walmart also donates one dollar a day towards financial aid to help ease the expenses of college education. Walmarts salaries range from $10-15 an hour in hopes to give employees a successful future. Target has a similar program called “Target Guideline Education.” Their program offers to pay $5,250 towards an employee’s undergraduate degree, and $10,000 towards their graduate degree. This also applies for their full and part time employees and their salaries range from $11-15 an hour.

   Both Target and Walmart require their employees to be at least 16 years of age, which can have some limitations due to child labor laws that are different for every state. While their programs are very helpful for employees, these companies only offer financial aid toward select colleges and universities. Target offers to pay a percentage of an employee’s tuition through  the University of Florida, Brandman University, and the University of Denver. Walmart offers educational financial aid through Oregon State University, Purdue University, and Wilmington University. Over the past few years, brands and companies have been anxiously in search of workers and employees because of COVID-19. While schedules for teens are often stressful and busy, high school students should consider applying to work at Target or Walmart, especially if they are in need of financial assistance as college approaches in the coming years.