KFC offers employees free college tuition

ALBANY — Restaurant employees at KFC can earn their degrees free of charge from Western Governors University through a new partnership, the fast-food chain announced Wednesday.

The KFC Foundation has teamed up with the online university to cover 100 percent of tuition costs and required fees for every employee who applies and enrolls in the noncompetitive program. To be eligible, the staff member must be employed at a KFC restaurant participating in the foundation’s annual franchise donation program and must maintain employment while taking advantage of the program.

Emma Horn, executive director of the KFC Foundation, said the program aims to support and enhance the lives of the company’s restaurant staff. “What better opportunity to be able to offer team members than a flexible college degree program from Western Governors University that can fit seamlessly into their schedule,” she said in a statement. The program is perfect for someone who may not have enough hours in the day to balance a traditional college experience on top of employment, she said.

KFC employees can choose from the accredited online university’s more than 60 different bachelor’s and master’s degrees programs and certification programs across business, information technology, teach

ing and health care.

Admissions are rolling, meaning employees can apply at any time of the year and begin classes when they are ready.

“Time, location and cost are some of the biggest barriers keeping our neighbors — especially those already in the workforce — from attending college, Rebecca Watts, northeast region vice president of Western Governors University, said.

“We’re proud to partner with the KFC Foundation to address those obstacles and expand pathways to opportunity for KFC restaurant employees,”

There are 157 KFC restaurants in New York, including 30 in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

Eligible restaurant employees must have graduated high school or earned high school equivalency.

They will be responsible for purchasing a web cam, internet access and computer access. A scholarship is available to provide these supplies for those who can demonstrate financial need.

Those interested in the WGU program can visit kfcfoundation.org/wgu to learn more.

John Carl D’annibale / Times Union archive The KFC Foundation and Western Governors University have teamed up to pay 100 percent of college tuition costs and fees for employees.