Posted: August 16, 1999
Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426
United Parcel Service, Minnesota District, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities today unveiled a plan to help up to 1,200 part-time workers in Minneapolis and Eagan obtain a college education paid for by their employer.
UPS plans to invest $27 million over five years in tuition reimbursement as a way to attract new workers and assist part-time workers.
"Companies are competing for reliable, part-time workers in this tight labor market, and we are hoping this will be an incentive for our employees to stay with the company and get their degrees," said UPS District Manager Jim Meyer.
United Parcel Service is offering part-time workers college tuition reimbursements of up to $3,000 per year for five years or a maximum of $15,000. To be eligible, students must work a regular part-time shift at UPS's two metro locations: Eagan, at Highway 149 and Highway 55, and northeast Minneapolis, 3312 N.E. Broadway St..
As an additional benefit, students who work part-time at UPS are eligible for low-interest student loans that will be forgiven if they work more than a year at UPS. For example, if a student borrows $2,000, UPS will turn half of the loan into a grant if the student works at UPS for a year. After four years of working for UPS and borrowing $2,000 a year, UPS will turn all of the $8,000 loan into a grant.
"Most of our students work part-time and the current financial aid system makes it difficult for them to receive much help," said Chancellor Morris J. Anderson of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. "This innovative partnership is an example of a major employer making a major investment in higher education for its employees."
The program will be available for fall semester, which begins as early as Aug. 23 at MnSCU institutions.
Students participating in the tuition reimbursement plan would work for the company as package handlers at the UPS hub in Eagan, Highways 149 and 55, or Northeast Minneapolis, 3312 N.E. Broadway St. Students would work 31/2-to five-hour night or twilight shifts and receive a full benefit package.
People interested in participating in the UPS tuition reimbursement program may call (651) 681-2800 or look at the website www.upsjobs.com. For more information about Minnesota State Colleges and Universities call 1-888-MnSCU-4-U or the admissions office of the college you are interested in attending.
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