Walgreens Tuition Reimbursement and Educational Assistance Programs

Walgreens is committed to the professional development and financial well-being of its team members. As part of this commitment, Walgreens offers several educational assistance programs, including tuition reimbursement and student loan assistance, designed to help employees advance their careers and manage the costs associated with higher education. These programs provide significant financial support and opportunities for skill development, making education more accessible and achievable for Walgreens team members.

Walgreens Student Loan 401(k) Match Program

Recognizing the burden of student loan debt, Walgreens launched the Student Loan 401(k) Match Program in January 2025. This benefit allows team members to qualify for company 401(k) match contributions as they pay down their student loans.

How the Program Works

The Walgreens Student Loan 401(k) Match Program treats enrolled team member student loan payments like contributions to the Walgreens Retirement Savings Plan “401(k).” Walgreens matches eligible student loan payments up to 4% of eligible pay. Team members are generally eligible for company matching contributions after one year plus 1,000 hours of service.

This program addresses a significant financial challenge faced by many employees. With nearly 43 million Americans struggling with student loan debt, Walgreens is proud to be a leader of large employers offering team members this new option. Roughly 30% of Walgreens team members are facing financial debt from higher education -including more than half of our pharmacy team members -and according to the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, pharmacists have an average student loan debt of $170K.

Elizabeth Burger, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer, WBA, stated, “We understand the burden student loan debt places on many of our team members, and this program empowers us to make a lasting impact on their financial well-being. With this new benefit, our team members are no longer faced with the difficult choice between managing their student loan debt and investing in a secure financial future - now they can confidently do both.”

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Walgreens Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP)

The Walgreens Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program (PEAP) provides financial support to pharmacy students during each year enrolled in a professional pharmacy program while working for Walgreens as a pharmacy intern. This program supports pharmacy students financially, helping them to pursue their education and future careers.

PEAP Benefits and Requirements

PEAP offers an annual award available to Walgreens pharmacy interns who are enrolled in a professional pharmacy program. The awards can total up to $40,000 for all years combined. Pharmacy students can use the award money to pay for their education if they're enrolled in a professional pharmacy program. They will also be required to purchase textbooks, study guides, and supplies like lab equipment and course software.

In exchange for each award, pharmacy students are required to sign an agreement that includes a one-year work commitment as a registered pharmacist at Walgreens. The total work commitment period is the total number of years for which a pharmacy student receives an award under this program.

For pharmacy students in a four-year program, the Pharmacy Educational Assistance Program provides $5,000 for the first two years, $10,000 in the third year, and $20,000 in the final year.

How to Apply for PEAP

All pharmacy interns are eligible to apply during the annual enrollment period to access up to $40,000 in total education awards. Walgreens interns can apply for PEAP if they meet the eligibility requirements. Contact your Area Healthcare Supervisor and request info about PEAP. They will assist Walgreens team members in registering in the application system.

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Once you’re a Walgreens team member, you can contact your Area Healthcare Supervisor to apply for our Pharmacy Education Assistance Program. As a Walgreens pharmacy intern, you'll have access to our PEAP platform using a Single Sign-on. All Walgreens team members are provided a OneID which you will use to log in to the PEAP platform through the Single Sign-on. Start by logging into the PEAP platform. There you will be able to check the status of your application and chat with a specialist if more help is required.

Walgreens PharmStart Program

Walgreens offers the PharmStart pilot program, providing flexible pathways for working adults to complete prerequisites for a PharmD. This initiative aims to launch pharmacy careers by making education more accessible.

PharmStart Program Details

Eligible full-time, high-performing team members in select states can access 100% tuition-free PharmStart programs to accelerate their careers. The program is offered in partnership with Guild, providing access to a catalog of learning programs to complete pharmacy prerequisites.

The 100% tuition-free programs cover mandatory fees for online classes needed to fulfill pharmacy school prerequisites, including:

Associate in Science, Biological Sciences: A 2-3 year program for those just starting college or are seeking to complete all common pre-requisites for PharmD programs.
4-5 Course Bundle: A 6-12 month program that offers flexibility to select the necessary courses to finalize prerequisites for PharmD or try a few courses before committing to a full degree.
Organic Chemistry I & II: 2 semesters of Organic Chem for those preparing to apply to a PharmD program.

The PharmStart program is available to full-time, high-performing team members in select states.

Guild Education Partnership

Walgreens partners with Guild to provide team members with access to a variety of learning programs and support services. The Guild benefit aims to make personal and professional evolution within reach by removing financial barriers and providing support along the way.

Benefits of the Guild Partnership

Through the Guild partnership, team members can access learning programs with funding options from Walgreens. They can gain valuable skills from online schools with flexible programs designed for working adults. Guild provides support and guidance to help team members get set up, make a plan, and stay motivated.

Key benefits include:

Financial Support: Access to 100% tuition-paid program options.
Flexible Learning: Variety of programs to choose from in the Guild catalog, with online and self-paced learning options.
Quality Education: Access to top-ranked, high-quality schools and learning partners.
Support System: Guild Specialists can walk team members through their benefit and help them explore programs. Guild coaches partner with team members 1:1 to achieve their goals.

According to Guild surveys, 94% of employees feel more confident in themselves and their skills as a result of being enrolled in a Guild program. Additionally, 74% of surveyed learners using Guild coaching say it's a contributor to their academic success.

Additional Educational Opportunities

Walgreens offers various other educational opportunities to support team members' growth and development.

Walgreens University

Walgreens University is available to all team members seeking to learn and grow in their careers. The university offers hundreds of courses with college credits.

Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Walgreens' Pharmacy Technician Certification and Training program is designed to prepare qualifying team members to succeed in state-of-the-art pharmacy environments. The program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Walgreens also fully supports the national PTCB Certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board and ExCPT Certification from the National Healthcare Association for all of our pharmacy technicians. Walgreens provide you with review classes, study materials, and even sponsor the cost of your exam. Plus, we offer online courses that are a convenient way for qualifying team members to earn free continuing education credit hours that are recognized by the ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education).

School of Operations

The School of Operations is a development program focused on turning frontline leaders into Walgreens store managers. Participants learn the skills to become effective leaders, make big decisions, and empower their teams. The program provides real-world tools, resources, and experience to build knowledge about the issues that matter most in day-to-day operations.

National University Partnership

National University partners with Walgreens to offer a 25% tuition reduction scholarship to employees and a 15% tuition reduction scholarship to Walgreens employee spouses and dependents. National University is dedicated to supporting adult learners from all walks of life. National University, a Veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable, achievable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 150+ Academic programs and four-week courses designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Classes are offered online or in-person at locations across California. National University is proud to provide educational partnership opportunities to organizations across the country.

Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University offers various grants and savings opportunities for Walgreens employees. In addition to the Corporate Alliance Grant and Start Strong Tuition Savings, employees may qualify for additional grants through Rasmussen. Rasmussen offers online scheduling options, as well as evening, weekend and weekday classes, understanding that students are juggling school with busy lives.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for Walgreens' educational assistance programs, team members must meet certain requirements. These requirements may vary depending on the specific program.

For the PharmStart program, eligibility is limited to full-time, high-performing team members in select states. Team members must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Employed by Walgreens for a minimum of one year
US-based (including Puerto Rico); initial pilot limited to select field roles in IL, KY, OK, OR, TX, and WI
Regular full-time (30+ hours/week over a 52-week period)
Must be an active team member
Minimum 18 years or older
Latest performance evaluation must be exceeding expectations or higher
Must have active PTCB or EXPT technician certification
For union-represented team members, we will follow the terms of the collective bargaining agreements, such that they will not be eligible unless so provided in such agreements.

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