TEMPE, AZ, March 24, 2016 – Education at Work (EAW) begins expansion outside Cincinnati, where it was founded, at Arizona State University in an innovative three-way partnership with worldwide online payments system company PayPal. Students working at the non-profit contact center will have the opportunity to 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.
In 2012, Education at Work opened its doors in Cincinnati, OH to students attending colleges and universities including: the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Mount St. Joseph University, and Northern Kentucky University. To date, student employees at the organization have earned $1,752,572 in tuition assistance and $9,801,724 in wages. EAW is an affiliate of USA Funds, an Indianapolis-based non-profit that promotes post-secondary student success and “Completion With a Purpose.”
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.”
Arizona State University’s Tempe, Arizona location serves 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students, who will all have access to the 400 jobs.
“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 thousands 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.”
The average Education at Work student employee graduates with 50% less 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 on the campus of Arizona State University,” said Karen Marshall, VP 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, with details to come.
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 [email protected]
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.
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