KFC partners with Western Governors University to offer free college tuition

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The KFC Foundation has joined forces with Western Governors University to give KFC employees an opportunity to receive 100 percent paid tuition when attending WGU to earn their degree.

Working at KFC can mean odd hours and a busy schedule, and that is exactly why officials say they are rolling out a new tuition incentive program.

Kentucky Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman was joined by officials from WGU and the KFC Foundation for a ceremonial signing of the partnership, which will allow employees to choose from more than 60 different bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

"We know what kind of transformational change can come with the opportunity that education provides. The challenge for so many is access," said Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman.

KFC-Western Governors University partnership — Pictured: Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman joins officials from the KFC Foundation and the Western Governors University at the KFC located 2945 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 27, 2023.

KFC restaurant employees who apply for the program will have the opportunity to attend the university tuition-free, regardless of whether they are full-time or part-time students.

"If you actually help an individual achieve their education and complete their program, their children are 10 times more likely to go to also go to college," said Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher. "And we know today that education is still the surest path to opportunity. If you achieve that program, you're going to achieve the income gains, the economic and social mobility that you need so that you can live a more self determined life. So we are grateful for this partnership and opportunity to continue to expand access to high quality education."

WGU also offers rolling admissions, so KFC restaurant employees can enroll at any time and begin online courses whenever they’re ready. School officials say 139,116 students are currently enrolled.

"Every employee is eligible from day one," said Emma Horn, the Executive Director for the KFC Foundation. "So as long as they're accepted and are enrolled in WGU they are eligible from the first day of their employment."

Since WGU is based primarily online, "students can do it at their own pace," said KFC franchisee Justin Stewart.

KFC employee takes order at Hikes Point location — KFC announces new tuition incentive will be available to all employees starting Feb. 1, 2023.

Stewart helps operate over 100 franchise locations and says the employees he's spoken to are "extremely excited" about the new program. He also hopes the new program will help the company better retain staff of all ages at a time when fast-food companies are struggling to stay fully staffed.

"This is something that we've been working towards for a long time for that reason," Stewart said. "Employees are looking for employers that are doing more for them to take care of them."

If an employee doesn't want to go to WGU, KFC Foundation also offers another incentive program through the REACH program. Employees can apply for up to $20,000 in grants to attend any college of their choice.

"It's a way to kind of give back to them and say look, you have opportunities at KFC. You can become a nurse, a teacher, or you can stay with us and we're going to help give you that education to be successful," said Stewart.

Applications for both programs open on Feb. 1.