INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — McDonald's and Ivy Tech announced an alliance Thursday that will make a college education more affordable for employees.
The Archways to Opportunity education program will allow employees who work 15 hours per week for at least 90 days to take advantage of the assistance. Crewmembers can receive up to $2,500 per year, while managers can receive up to $3,000 per year.
The partnership will also give workers the opportunity to earn credits with on-the-job training and classes.
Samantha Terrell's parents heard of the new program and told her she needed to do it.
"I was already working another job and they said you need to forget that job and go back to McDonalds," Terrell said.
Ivy Tech's president said 75 percent of its students work while going to school.
The program is also a good fit for restaurant owners like James and Pamela Poore who own 5 McDonalds franchises in Indiana.
"When they know they can work, get paid for work and get tuition assistance on top of that. It really helps us attract people we don't normally attract," James Poore said.
The program will be offered at more than 300 McDonald's locations and 18 Ivy Tech campuses with 40 sites.
Workers who take part in the program will receive counseling help to guide them to the fastest way to earn their degrees.