TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Education at Work (EAW) has launched an innovative three-way partnership with Arizona State University and worldwide online payments system company PayPal to help ASU students pay for college and gain valuable work experience. Up to 400 students from ASU will have the opportunity to work at EAW’s non-profit contact center and earn up to $6,000 a year in GPA-based tax-free tuition assistance in addition to an hourly wage. The students will work as part-time employees in a fast-paced, collaborative contact center environment responding to social media and email inquiries from PayPal customers.
“One of the biggest obstacles to attending college in America is not the lack of academic ability, but rather is insufficient family income,” said Edmundo Hidalgo, Vice President of Outreach Partnerships, Educational Outreach and Student Services, Arizona State University. “ASU is proud to partner with Education at Work and PayPal to provide hundreds of students the opportunity to gain valuable skills, earn competitive wages and receive up to $6,000 per year in tuition assistance. This innovative partnership highlights ASU’s commitment to increasing access to higher education for all academically qualified Arizona high school graduates while giving students opportunities to acquire skills they’ll need to participate in the professional workforce of the future.”
Established in 2012 in Cincinnati, Education at Work has served students attending the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Mount St. Joseph University, and Northern Kentucky University. To date, student employees at the organization have earned more than $1.7 million in tuition assistance and $9.8 million in wages. EAW is an affiliate of USA Funds, an Indianapolis-based non-profit that supports Completion With a Purpose, building a more purposeful path for America’s students to and through college and on to rewarding careers and successful lives.
The organization currently has one on-campus location at Mount St. Joseph University, as well as a second location in Cincinnati, and employs more than 500 student employees. The Arizona State University campus will be its first national expansion location.
“This partnership would not be possible without the collaborative spirit of ASU and PayPal,” said EAW CEO Dave Dougherty. “We are proud that together, we are extending the mission of Education at Work across the country, working toward fulfilling our vision of employing 100,000 students nationwide by 2025. Through this partnership ASU students will reduce their student loan debt and build skills that 21st century employers need, such as teamwork, collaboration, and problem solving.”
Dougherty reports that the average Education at Work student employee graduates with 50 percent less debt than average student debt, and as PayPal teammates, students will serve customers and build communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the tuition assistance program will encourage student employees to maintain a high GPA in order to maximize the amount of tuition assistance they will receive each semester.
“PayPal is thrilled to be part of the solution that increases accessibility to higher education at Arizona State University,” said Karen Marshall, Vice President of PayPal’s Operations Center in Chandler, Arizona. “In partnership with the university and Education at Work we will build a culture that supports students financially while empowering them to learn and practice the skills that will lead to success after graduation. We believe the participants in the program will help us continue to build on the world class service our customers expect.”
Interested students should visit www.educationatwork.org/apply to apply. A grand opening celebration for the location is planned for May 16, 2016.
For more information about the grand opening or about Education at Work, please contact Tanya Gantzer by phone at 513-351-1555 or email at tanya.mahon@education-at-work.org.
About Education at Work
Education at Work is a non-profit contact center provider helping college students graduate with less debt by partnering with clients to address customer service needs through a high-achieving, millennial workforce. To learn more about Education at Work, visit its website.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a comprehensive public research university, dedicated to advancing research and discovery of public value and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves. To learn more visit its website.
