Affordable Paths to College

If you are ready to get started working toward your college degree, Archways to Opportunity® offers programs to help make your goals a reality – in a way that fits your lifestyle.

Our programs can help you explore educational opportunities while getting financial support to make your educational journey easier.

Click on the sections below for more information

How can I get money to help pay for college courses?

We know that the cost of your education can make it challenging to earn a college degree. That’s why Archways to Opportunity® offers Tuition Assistance to eligible employees.

Click here for more information.

How do I connect with a College Partner?

We know that pursuing your education can be challenging. In addition to offering Tuition Assistance to eligible restaurant employees, we have teamed up with colleges who offer discounted tuition and other benefits. Eligible McDonald’s restaurant employees attending Colorado Technical University may also be able to earn credit for their McDonald’s training courses.


Click on the College Partner that interests you to learn more.


Eligible restaurant employees maximizing their Archways To Opportunity tuition assistance award in combination with the CTU commitment grant = 100% Tuition Covered Undergraduate Degrees at CTU.
Colorado Technical University Logo

College Partners offering discounted tuition costs:
WGU Excelsior College DePaul Logo

 

*McDonald’s cannot recommend specific colleges to restaurant employees. We encourage you to research each school and connect with their admissions department.

Success Story

Meet Desmond and Preston



Brothers Desmond and Preston Black began their McDonald’s journey in 2004 at the age of 15, with summer jobs at a franchisee restaurant. They quickly moved up to the crew trainer position, and both became swing managers when they graduated from high school.

In May 2009, Desmond and Preston began their McOpCo careers as swing managers, at different locations, while attending Florida State University full-time to pursue their Bachelors of Business Administration degrees. McOpCo supported their development with flexible scheduling in order to attend class two days a week. They learned of the Tuition Assistance program during their first semester and were awarded $5,250 on top of their annual salary to help with the costs of school. “We graduated from Florida State University in 2011 with zero school debt thanks to the assistance McDonald’s provided.”

Currently, they are both working as general managers in Orlando and pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Central Florida. “We have recently completed our first semester and still have no school debt! The Tuition Assistance benefit has been extremely helpful for both our personal and professional growth at McDonald’s.”

Vanessa Jimenez



Vanessa came to Chicago from Mexico seeking a better life. As a crew member at McDonald’s, she saved to bring her family to the United States. Now a supervisor with Bear Family Restaurants, she has accomplished another dream with the support of Archways to Opportunity: her associate degree.


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