Chrysler to offer free college tuition to all dealership employees

the United States division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will announce that it will offer free college tuition to the 118,000 employees at its Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Fiat dealerships.

Part-time and full-time employees who have worked at a dealership for 30 days are eligible to enroll in an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program in 40 degree categories at Strayer University, a 123-year-old for-profit college based in Virginia.

They can take classes online or at one of Strayer’s 77 campuses.

May, 2015 http://fortune.com/2015/05/04/chrysler-free-college-tuition/

The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles program will be available starting Monday to 180,000 employees at its 2,600 dealerships, which sell Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, and their approximately 700,000 family members.

The new benefit is part of a renewed effort by FCA North America dealerships to retain staff and create a better-educated workforce, said Al Gardner, head of FCA dealer network development.

Gardner said the benefit also will be provided debt-free, meaning dealership workers will not be expected to cover any out-of-pocket expenses related to the cost of getting a Strayer degree.

“We’re thrilled to expand the benefit not only to all of our dealerships nationwide, but also to dealership employees’ immediate family members,” Gardner said in a statement. The benefit will be available to dealership staff members and their spouses and children. Those who enroll can take classes online or at one of Strayer’s 78 campuses nationwide.

“Traditional higher education doesn’t serve the needs of working adults,” McDonnell said, noting that a free education “is the most compelling benefit to attract and field the best talent that you can.”

Nov 22nd 2015 https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/chrysler-jeep-dealer-employees-and-families-to-earn-free-strayer-degrees/2015/11/20/172bb82a-8fd2-11e5-acff-673ae92ddd2b_story.html