College Degrees With Paid Attendance Incentives

Fully-Funded STEM Programs

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields frequently offer substantial financial incentives for students. These programs recognize the value of developing qualified professionals in areas critical to innovation and economic growth.

Many universities provide research assistantships that cover tuition while paying monthly stipends. For instance, PhD programs in computer science, physics, and engineering commonly offer packages worth $30,000-$45,000 annually, covering both education costs and living expenses.

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program represents another pathway, providing three years of financial support to promising graduate students. Recipients receive tuition coverage plus a $34,000 annual stipend.

Undergraduate STEM opportunities exist too, though less common. Programs like the Meyerhoff Scholars Program at University of Maryland Baltimore County offer full scholarships to talented students committed to diversity in STEM fields.

• Tuition coverage (partial or complete)
• Monthly living stipends
• Research funding
• Conference travel allowances
• Networking opportunities with industry leaders

Healthcare Education With Financial Incentives

Healthcare faces critical workforce shortages, creating opportunities for students pursuing medical degrees. Various programs pay students to complete their education in exchange for service commitments.

The National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program covers tuition and provides a living stipend for future primary care physicians, dentists, and mental health professionals. Recipients commit to working in underserved communities after graduation, typically for a period equal to their years of support.

Nursing students can benefit from the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, which covers tuition and provides monthly stipends. The military also offers the Health Professions Scholarship Program, paying full medical school tuition plus a stipend for students who commit to military service after graduation.

Public health degree programs frequently offer assistantships and fellowships that include tuition waivers and stipends, particularly at the graduate level. These positions often involve teaching or research responsibilities for 15-20 hours weekly.

Education Degrees With Loan Forgiveness

Teaching represents a field with significant financial incentives for degree completion and service. While many education programs don't pay students directly during their studies, they offer valuable loan forgiveness options that effectively make education free retroactively.

The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides up to $4,000 annually to students completing degrees in high-need teaching fields. Recipients must teach for four years in low-income schools after graduation.

Several states operate their own teacher incentive programs. The Illinois Teachers Loan Repayment Program, for example, offers up to $5,000 to teachers working in low-income schools. Similarly, the Tennessee Teaching Scholars Program provides forgivable loans of $5,000 per academic year.

Beyond these programs, education students can often find graduate assistantships that provide tuition waivers and stipends while they complete master's or doctoral degrees. These positions typically involve teaching undergraduate courses or assisting faculty with research.

For those interested in educational leadership, many school districts offer tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing advanced education degrees, creating a pathway to get paid while advancing your education and career simultaneously.

Public Service and Policy Degree Funding

Students pursuing degrees in public administration, public policy, international relations, and related fields have access to numerous fully-funded opportunities. These programs recognize the importance of developing qualified public servants without the burden of student debt.

The Harry S. Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 to college juniors committed to careers in public service. This competitive scholarship supports graduate education in public service fields and includes leadership development programming.

Many public policy schools offer fellowship programs covering full tuition plus stipends. Harvard Kennedy School, for instance, provides numerous full-funding opportunities, including the Public Service Fellows program and Center for Public Leadership Fellows program.

The Presidential Management Fellows Program represents another pathway, designed for recent graduates with advanced degrees interested in federal government careers. While not providing funding during education, it offers a direct pathway to well-compensated federal employment immediately after graduation.

Foreign language and international studies students can benefit from the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship, which provides tuition and a stipend for students studying critical languages. The Boren Awards similarly fund language study for students committed to government service after graduation.

• Demonstrated commitment to public service
• Strong academic performance
• Leadership potential
• Willingness to fulfill service commitments

Corporate-Sponsored Degree Programs

Many companies invest in employee education through tuition assistance programs, effectively paying employees to earn degrees while working. These arrangements benefit both the company and the employee.

Starbucks partners with Arizona State University to offer 100% tuition coverage for employees pursuing bachelor's degrees online. Employees can choose from over 100 degree programs while working just 20 hours per week to maintain eligibility.

Amazon's Career Choice program pays for 95% of tuition and fees for hourly employees pursuing certificates or degrees in high-demand fields, up to annual maximums. The program focuses on areas like healthcare, transportation, and computer science.

UPS, Walmart, Target, and many other major employers offer similar programs with varying benefits and eligibility requirements. Some companies restrict degree options to fields related to their business, while others allow employees to pursue any accredited program.

Beyond retail and service industries, many technology companies offer substantial education benefits. Intel provides $50,000 in tuition assistance for job-related degrees, while Apple, Google, and Microsoft all offer competitive education reimbursement programs.