Benefits of Tuition Assistance and Adult Learning Time

The value of tuition assistance and adult learning time provided by companies is immeasurable. The provision of these benefits can alleviate employee personal and financial stress. Furthermore, higher education will create stellar performers to improve the company’s workforce. This will in turn improve company morale and employee retention.

Adult learning time and tuition assistance provided to employees by their employer will alleviate personal and financial stress on the employee. Many adult learners work full-time jobs. Long hours at work coupled with time required to support a family decreases the amount of time adult students can devote to learning. Pursuing higher education could require that “college students may spend between twelve and fifteen hours per week in class” (College Parents, 1997-2011). In addition to time in class, students will also require time to complete homework. Companies that allow employees to depart work to attend class allow the individual to avoid sacrificing valuable family time to pursue higher education. Courses are often available during times that coincide with employee lunch hours. In addition, providing a quiet study area for employees to complete coursework reduces stress. This reduces stress while enabling a functional learning environment.

A failing economy and increasing tuition costs deter individuals from returning to school. While considering the rising cost of tuition, Americans should consider that “the ten-year historical rate of increase is approximately 6 percent,” that is “higher than the average increase in personal incomes” (College, 2011). In short, employee raises are not keeping up with rising expenses.

Every individual desiring higher education does not have a surplus of funds to pay for school. Student loans are often an available option, but a large number of adult learners are already in debt. Be it consumer debt or the costs associated with raising a family, the addition of student loans could...