{"id":97009,"date":"2019-05-23T10:06:38","date_gmt":"2019-05-23T14:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=97009"},"modified":"2022-03-03T16:36:48","modified_gmt":"2022-03-03T21:36:48","slug":"disney-ucf-team-up-free-tuition-cast-members","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/disney-ucf-team-up-free-tuition-cast-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney, UCF Team Up to Offer Free Tuition for Cast Members"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, Disney announced the addition of the University of Central Florida to its groundbreaking Disney Aspire education investment program, which offers 100 percent free tuition to eligible employees and Cast Members. Disney and UCF are teaming up to expand educational opportunities for Disney\u2019s hourly workforce, making it easier for them to pursue their dreams and fulfill their career ambitions.<\/p>\n

Since launching last August, approximately 40 percent of Disney\u2019s 85,000 full-time and part-time hourly employees with 90 days of service have signed up for Disney Aspire and more than 6,000 are actively taking classes. Disney\u2019s investment of $150 million enables its employees to gain confidence and grow their careers \u2013 including potential new roles at Disney and careers outside of the company.<\/p>\n

The most comprehensive program of its kind, Disney Aspire covers 100 percent of tuition upfront, and will also reimburse application fees and required books and course materials, removing the worry of paying to start or continue school.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdding UCF to this prestigious network of schools will provide our Cast Members with even more options to create the futures they imagine.\u201d \u2014\u00a0George A. Kalogridis \u201976<\/b>, president of Walt Disney World Resort<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cSince its launch, Disney Aspire has enabled thousands of Cast Members to dream bigger and reach higher,\u201d says George A. Kalogridis \u201976<\/b>, president of Walt Disney World Resort and a UCF sociology<\/a> graduate.\u00a0\u201cAdding UCF to this prestigious network of schools will provide our Cast Members with even more options to create the futures they imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The collaboration is a natural fit between UCF and Disney since both institutions are powerful economic engines in Orlando and across Florida.\u00a0It also strengthens UCF\u2019s already recognized position as one of the nation\u2019s most affordable and best-value universities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe could not be more excited to be working with Disney to make a high-quality college degree even more accessible,\u201d UCF Interim President Thad Seymour Jr. says. \u201cMany of our students already are Disney employees who will immediately benefit, and this program has the potential to change lives in our community for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of our students already are Disney employees who will immediately benefit, and this program has the potential to change lives in our community for generations.\u201d \u2014 Thad Seymour Jr.,\u00a0UCF interim president<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To help administer the program, Disney has partnered with Guild Education, a market leader in providing higher education opportunities designed for working adults. Through Guild, Disney Aspire includes a network of schools that offer a wide array of disciplines and diplomas, including undergraduate and master\u2019s degrees, high school completion, English-language and Spanish-language learning, vocational training and more. Disney Aspire offers convenience and flexibility, with individual coaching provided by Guild to help students every step of the way from application through graduation.<\/p>\n

More than 53,000 Florida-based Disney employees will be eligible when the UCF offerings begin this fall 2019 semester.<\/p>\n

Disney employees who gain admission to UCF<\/a>, and meet in-state residency requirements, will be able to choose from 34 undergraduate and master\u2019s degree programs \u2014 including 10 that are fully online<\/a>. Cast Members may pursue bachelor\u2019s degrees in fields that range from biology<\/a> to nursing<\/a> to education<\/a>, along with master\u2019s degrees that range from digital forensics<\/a> to mechanical engineering<\/a>\u00a0to business<\/a>. UCF will be the first school within the Disney Aspire network to offer a bachelor\u2019s degree in entertainment management<\/a>, and among the first to offer a master\u2019s degree in hospitality and tourism management<\/a>, which is available online.<\/p>\n

This new collaboration will benefit current and future Knights. Many UCF students already work at Disney and so do many other students at state colleges in the region who are in the pipeline to transfer to UCF through the DirectConnect to UCF program<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A college degree is a powerful tool for transforming lives through social and economic mobility. Those with a bachelor\u2019s degree earn an average of 65 percent more than those who only complete high school, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.<\/p>\n

In addition to the financial benefit for students, the partnership also helps UCF continue to drive the regional and state economy by supplying a talented, educated workforce for employers. UCF awards more bachelor\u2019s degrees annually \u2013 and more degrees overall \u2013 than any other public university in the nation.<\/p>\n

To sign up or learn more, Disney employees can visit\u00a0aspire.disney.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Degree programs offered through Disney Aspire and UCF<\/h2>\n

Program list accurate as of May 23, 2019. Contact Guild Education to find out the latest program details. <\/p>\n

In-Person Bachelor’s Degree Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n