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The Aramark Frontline Education Program program provides the opportunity for eligible employees to receive 100% upfront tuition coverage to earn a bachelor’s degree offered online from a top-tier university.

• The program provides eligible employees 100% upfront tuition coverage and course fee coverage, paid directly to ASU for a maximum of 135 credits. Typically it takes 120 credits to complete a bachelor’s degree.
• Eligible employees will also receive up to $325 per academic session towards the cost of books. Employees who apply will need to pay the $70 application fee. 
• Participating students are responsible for any additional expenses, such as books, fees and supplies. 
• Aramark will cover graduation fees for participating students. You can go to https://graduation.asu.edu/graduates/apply to learn more how to apply for graduation

If you are eligible for the Frontline Education Program, you are able to attend Arizona State University Online and select from any of their 100+ bachelor’s degree programs.

Aramark is excited to introduce this innovative education program to employees. Eligible employees who are interested in participating should follow these steps:

1. Explore available programs.
2. Select the program that most interests you and submit your information. You can change this later!
3. You’ll be contacted by an ASU enrollment coach. They will help you to solidify the program you’d like to pursue, as well as submit your application and enroll.

While students are typically able to apply throughout the year for most degree programs, it is important to note that some programs do have application deadlines and the application process can take several weeks. Visit the Explore Programs page to see details specific to your programs of interest.

You may be eligible if you meet the following eligibility criteria:

• U.S. based
• Hourly*
• Full-time
• Have at least six months of service with Aramark
• Maintain good standing by following the requirements set by ASU and Aramark

Not meeting the good standing requirements could result in academic probation or a delay in your tuition coverage.

• Keep your grades up
• Reapply for financial aid each year (if applicable)
• Follow the student code of conduct

*Eligibility for union employees is determined according to the terms of their union contract.

Contact your HR partner for the full Aramark Frontline Education Program policy.

It can take up to a week after your eligibility date to process your updated status. After seven days, if you are still receiving an ineligible message, reach out to InStride Support.

If you are enrolled in classes at the time you leave, you will be able to finish the current term but you will not be able to continue participation in the Aramark Frontline Education Program nor receive the tuition coverage the following term. You will be able to continue your education with ASU, but you will be responsible for all future tuition costs if you are no longer employed by Aramark.

Yes. Once you are enrolled in undergraduate courses for an ASU academic session, have completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have a complete financial aid file, you will be eligible to receive up to $325 through the ASU Sun Devil Bookstore online to purchase course materials, including physical or digital textbooks, and excludes renting textbooks and any other categories of purchases. This includes the cost of shipping orders to you, if required.

You will receive an email to your ASU email address containing instructions for purchasing, as well as a deadline by which all course materials must be purchased for the session. As long as you maintain eligibility for the program and enroll in classes, you will receive this email prior to every session in which you are enrolled.

Occasionally, courses will require materials not available in the ASU Follett Store. This can occur for a number of reasons. In this situation, you should contact Aramark HR in order to determine how these materials can be covered by the Frontline Education Program prior to making any purchases.

Learn more about the book coverage here.

Applicants must complete and submit a FAFSA®. Submitting the FAFSA is free and easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to help pay for your studies. Please be aware that federal grant money is automatically applied to the cost of tuition first. You may have additional options to cover the cost of books, fees and supplies, such as scholarships and low-interest loans if you choose to apply or qualify. Your ASU enrollment coach will be able to answer any questions you have about the FAFSA.

Aramark will make the upfront tuition payment directly to Arizona State University. You are responsible for reviewing your student bill in the Finances section of My ASU to confirm the tuition coverage has been applied. Most students will see the coverage applied by the start of the session or course. Please reach out to InStride Support if you don’t see your tuition benefit applied to your account at the start of the session.

Your organization can provide up to $5,250 in education assistance tax-free per calendar year. Per the IRS, any amount of educational assistance provided to you by your employer over $5,250 will be included on your Form W-2 for the year as taxable income and will be subject to employment tax withholding (IRC Section 127). This means you may see taxes withheld from your paycheck if you go above $5,250 in tuition coverage.

Read here for more information on taxes and tuition coverage.

Please note that the programs or courses you take between fall and the end of the year may count toward the allotted education coverage amount for that year, but may be included on your Form W-2 the following year depending upon how your organization is invoiced for that coverage.

The above is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should contact your own tax, legal and accounting advisors for additional information on how this may impact your specific situation. 

For questions about the taxable benefit reporting on your W-2, reach out to your HR partner. Options listed below.

• US Food & Facilities (FFS): myHR [send an email to myHR@Aramark.com or call 844-441-myHR (6947)]
• Uniform Services (AUS): HR Resource Center (HRRC) [send an email to AUS-HRRC@Aramark.com or call 818-973-3944.]
• Ameriprise (AMP): HR Resource Center (HRRC) [send an email to AUS-HRRC@Aramark.com or call 818-973-3944.]

1. Click on the "Get Started" button in the top right hand corner.
2. That will bring you to the eligibility confirmation page.
3. Please enter the appropriate information as directed.
4. You will then be asked a series of questions to help customize your experience.
5. Following that, your account will be successfully registered and you can begin exploring eligible programs.

Please check your spam folder to see if you have received the password reset link. If you have not received it, please contact InStride Support for assistance.

Try resetting your password. Your password must be more than eight characters and include the following: 1 upper, 1 lower, 1 number, 1 special character. Once you have successfully reset, try to login again.

Check your internet connection and make sure you are using a strong internet browser (Google Chrome is preferred). If you are still experiencing errors, please contact InStride Support, and our team will look into this.

If you don’t meet the admission requirements, you can still earn your way into ASU through Earned Admission. Through this track, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.

To begin, submit a request for information for a bachelor’s degree program and complete and submit your application to ASU. An ASU Enrollment Coach will reach out to support you through this process. If you don’t meet admission requirements, you will be invited to opt-in to enroll in Earned Admission courses. Fees associated with Earned Admission will be covered with the WinCo Foods Education Program as long as you are eligible at the time of expressing intent to convert your course for credit (in the first week of the course) and at the time you can convert your courses for credit and be admitted to ASU.

To participate in the Frontline Education Program and receive upfront tuition coverage, you must opt-in and provide your consent to the program terms and conditions at this link.

For students enrolled in an in-person program at Arizona State University, you will need to transition to an ASU Online program if you wish to receive upfront tuition coverage through Aramark Frontline Education Program. Review the list of available bachelor’s degree programs Aramark Frontline Education Program covers and connect with your academic advisor if necessary.

Your ASU enrollment coach will be able to help you determine how many of your credits may transfer for credit toward your degree.

All transfer requirements can be found here.

For employees interested in participating in the program, contact HR:

• US Food & Facilities (FFS): myHR [send an email to myHR@Aramark.com or call 844-441-myHR (6947)]
• Uniform Services (AUS): HR Resource Center (HRRC) [send an email to AUS-HRRC@Aramark.com or call 818-973-3944.]
• Ameriprise (AMP): HR Resource Center (HRRC) [send an email to AUS-HRRC@Aramark.com or call 818-973-3944.]

For existing Aramark Frontline Education Program learners:

• If you have questions about receiving your tuition coverage, reach out to the ASU Financial Aid office. 
• If you have questions about your bachelor’s degree program, reach out to your ASU Success Coach.
• Other questions? Contact InStride Support.