Starbucks Expands Tuition-Free College Benefit To Military Spouses And Children

Starbucks has hired more than 5,500 veterans and military spouses this year and is expanding their college achievement plan to include spouses and children of current and former U.S. Armed Forces members. With Veteran's Day around the corner, this is surely something to celebrate.

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan was first introduced in June 2014 and allows U.S. Starbucks employees to receive a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University's online program, tuition-free. Now, spouses and children of active duty or reservists in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, who are also Starbucks employees, can take advantage of receiving a tuition-free education from ASU, too.

"We have a responsibility as a nation to honor our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice, but it goes beyond saying thank you," Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "We must put our thanks into action and collectively help those who are making the transition from military to civilian life."

Starbucks will be offering a free tall brewed coffee for active duty members, reservists, veterans, and military spouses on Veteran's Day, along with a special Starbucks Veterans Card and a Veterans Day mug. The chain will also donate a portion of proceeds from every Starbucks VIA Instant coffee purchase to the United Service Organization — a non-profit for military service members.

By the end of 2018, Starbucks has a goal of hiring 10,000 veterans and military spouses, and is over halfway there.