As for those veterans who aren’t employed by the coffee chain, on Veterans Day a free cup of joe is waiting for them-never mind whether it comes in one of the controversial red cups. Now, Starbucks is extending that same benefit to the spouses or children of any veteran employees.
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To be eligible, veteran employees must work 20 or more hours a week, as per the guidelines established in the original, ongoing initiative between the Arizona State University Online Degree Program and Starbucks providing four years of tuition-free higher education to all employees.
USA veterans are getting a break on college, thanks to Starbucks.
Many people are speculating whether Starbucks’ move to expand its military support will smooth over the company’s tensions with its conservative critics who blasted the company’s decision to release a “minimalist” holiday cup.
Along with that addendum to its offering, Starbucks said it also has hired more than 5,500 veterans and military spouses, with the goal of hiring 10,000 by 2018.
The offer is good for any current or former military member working at Starbucks it doesn’t require that employee stay with the company after the degree is earned.
He continued, “Not only do we have a moral duty to engage veterans once they leave the service, we know that doing so in a meaningful way will ultimately strengthen our nation”.
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The Los Angeles Times found the average higher-education loan taken by veterans was $7,400 – slightly more than for students who never served in the military, suggesting military borrowers can accrue more than $25,000 in debt to graduate with a four-year degree.
