New partnership between the KFC Foundation and WGU provides college degree opportunities for employees of nearly 200 Ohio KFC restaurants
Employees at Ohio’s nearly 200 KFC restaurants will now be able to receive 100‑percent tuition coverage at Western Governors University Ohio (WGU Ohio) thanks to the nonprofit, online university’s new partnership with the KFC Foundation.
Through this partnership, KFC restaurant employees can choose from more than 60 accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs offered by WGU across a wide range of career fields in business, information technology, education and healthcare.
The KFC scholarship program is non-competitive, meaning everyone who applies and enrolls will be eligible to receive full tuition coverage. Access to the program is available to employees beginning from their first day on the job at participating KFC restaurants (those participating in the KFC Foundation Annual Donation Program).
“Every year we look for new ways to support and enhance the lives of KFC restaurant employees,” said Emma Horn, executive director of the KFC Foundation. “What better opportunity to be able to offer our team members than a flexible college degree program from Western Governors University that can fit seamlessly into their schedule. The program at WGU is perfect for someone who may not have enough hours in the day to balance a traditional college experience on top of a full- or part-time job and other life priorities.”
“We are honored to be entrusted by the KFC Foundation to be their education partner in this exciting, full-tuition program,” said Dr. K.L. Allen, chancellor of WGU Ohio. “KFC restaurant employees from across Ohio will now have the opportunity to advance their lives and make a meaningful difference for their careers, families and communities. And because WGU Ohio offers rolling start dates for its classes every month, KFC restaurant employees will enjoy the flexibility to enroll at any time and begin online courses as soon as they’re ready.”
Western Governors University was founded in 1997 by a coalition of 19 U.S. state governors as a way to offer their citizens – particularly adult learners – the chance to go to college from home, at their own pace, while holding jobs and caring for their families. In 2018, Ohio became the eighth additional state to partner with WGU to offer its degree programs in health and nursing, business, teaching, and information technology. Since that time, WGU Ohio as an accredited, nonprofit university has helped nearly 9,000 Ohio students receive the education and skills they need to pursue in-demand careers.
The KFC Foundation is an independent 501c3 organization that supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees by providing education opportunities, hardship assistance and more. In addition to the WGU tuition coverage program, the KFC Foundation already offers restaurant employees up to $20,000 in educational grants to attend the two- or four-year college, trade school or graduate school of their choice. KFC restaurant employees can apply for and win KFC Foundation scholarships year after year. Programs offered by the KFC Foundation are funded and made possible by at-register Round-Up donations and purchases of KFC’s Secret Recipe Fries.
KFC restaurant employees interested in the WGU program can go to Kfcfoundation.org/wgu to learn more, and those interested in working at a KFC restaurant can visit kfc.com/careers for more information about available opportunities in their area.