Having your employer pay for your education can be a great way to pay for tuition, but it’s not necessarily an easy thing to convince them to do. Here are some steps that you can take in order to get your employer to fund your education.
Employer/Employee Relationship
The effectiveness of this method hinges entirely on the employer/employee relationship. Employers may be inclined to help if you have been a dedicated employee for some time, as they will want to keep you around.
Incentives for Employers
Employers may be willing to pay your tuition in order to benefit from a more educated workforce. If they feel that the education is going towards a skill required by their company, this can make them more willing to pay. If you are studying something that will help you work more efficiently, the employer may be happier paying for it.
Before Asking Your Employer
Before you ask your employer for funding, you should find out your company’s policy on the subject. They may have some stipulations that you need to meet before they agree to pay anything.
You should also familiarize yourself with tuition reimbursement programs. These are easy ways for employers to provide some financial support while avoiding putting all of the burdens on themselves. Look into these options before asking your employer to pay for everything.
Asking Your Employer for Financial Assistance
Now that you have researched what options are available to you, it’s time to ask your employer about funding your education. Try to present it in a way that shows how the education will benefit them. If you can show that it will make you more efficient or that it will help you get more out of your work, they may be willing to pay.
If your employer is unable to pay for whatever you are hoping to study, ask them about tuition reimbursement programs. They might cover some or all of the costs involved in obtaining your degree.
Be sure to follow up with them on any progress so that you can present it to your boss when you have something concrete to tell them.