Tuition Benefits: Work and Learn at Penn

Penn is recognized as a top employer for many reasons. Our generous tuition benefit is one of the perks that make this a great place to work.

Just ask Lindsay Shafer, an administrative coordinator in the Penn Center for Educational Leadership. She first used the tuition benefit a few years ago to enroll in marketing courses at Wharton. Meeting new people was high on her to-do list, and classes proved to be a great way to network. Now Lindsay has decided to take her career in a different direction. She’s passionate about resource management and decided to go for her master’s degree in environmental studies through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies. Lindsay says her experience so far has been nothing short of wonderful.

"Penn’s tuition benefit really helps lighten the financial burden. My husband’s currently enrolled in a full-time graduate program, and with two people going to school full-time, there would definitely be a financial strain on us. So the tuition benefit really works out well for us," she said.

For those of you unfamiliar with our tuition benefit, it covers 100 percent of the tuition, general and technology fees at Penn for up to six course units per academic year. It also helps subsidize the cost of undergraduate tuition for spouses/domestic partners and children. Since 2003, about 8,000 faculty and staff have used the benefit for themselves or their families.

While Lindsay would have pursued her master’s degree without the help of tuition assistance, she said Penn’s tuition benefit motivates her even more in her studies. "Working at Penn really helps me take advantage of pursuing my academic goals. Getting back into the classroom has been a great experience, and it’s really helpful to meet people in the field I’m pursuing," Lindsay said.

Want to learn how our tuition benefit program can support you? Click here to learn more.