ATLANTA, Ga., 2016-Sep-23 — /EPR Retail News/ — Chick-fil-A® announced today (September 19, 2016) it is expanding and updating the company’s scholarship initiative to offer Team Members maximum flexibility and support in their pursuit of higher education. The changes will more than double the company’s investment in Team Member scholarships – offering $4.9 million in scholarships in 2017 alone – to help students attend the school of their choice, as well as provide access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at participating schools.
While Chick-fil-A, Inc. has awarded scholarships for more than 40 years, the enhanced educational assistance initiative, called Remarkable Futures, increases the amount of scholarships available. Students can receive up to $25,000 per year, as well as access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 70 colleges and universities nationwide, to help offset the cost of their education.
A significant, industry-leading initiative in both the number of scholarships awarded (more than 1,850 expected in 2017) and total financial investment in team members ($4.9 Million), Chick-fil-A, Inc.’s scholarship allows recipients to apply the funds to the school of their choice, whether online, on a college campus or at a vocational-technical school. And that’s not the only way Chick-fil-A, Inc. is offering students something different: local restaurant owners will nominate Team Members based on factors like leadership and community involvement, in addition to academic achievement. Chick-fil-A believes that commitment to community is an indicator of leadership and aims to foster future leaders with this initiative. The opportunities are open to Chick-fil-A Team Members who work both full- or part-time in a restaurant, and there is no length-of-service requirement associated with eligibility.
“Working in a Chick-fil-A restaurant is more than just an after-school job,” said Rodney Bullard, vice president of Community Affairs at Chick-fil-A and executive director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation. We want all Chick-fil-A Team Members to become the best they can be, and our educational assistance initiative is one way we are helping them on their journey to becoming leaders in their communities and their careers. We have seen generations of leaders formed in Chick-fil-A restaurants, and we are proud to play a formative role in their future – wherever their journey takes them.”
Starting January 2, 2017, eligible Chick-fil-A Team Members can apply for any of three new educational assistance opportunities:
- Chick-fil-A Leadership Scholarship: In 2017, 1,850 students will have an opportunity to receive a $2,500 scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year, with the ability to re-apply for up to four years – for a potential total of up to $10,000 for college while serving as a Chick-fil-A Team Member. These scholarships will be awarded to Chick-fil-A Team Members based on leadership, academic achievement and community involvement. While this scholarship is not new (Chick-fil-A has awarded $36 million since 1973), the amount has more than doubled from the previous scholarship, which offered $1,000 and was non-renewable.
- True Inspiration Scholarship: In 2017, 12 students will have an opportunity to receive an individual, one-time award of up to $25,000. These scholarships will be awarded to Chick-fil-A Team Members based on leadership, academic achievement, community involvement and demonstrated financial need.
- Educational Assistance Opportunities: In addition to scholarships, Chick-fil-A is offering Team Members access to tuition discounts and other educational benefits at more than 70 colleges and universities across the country, which can be combined with either of the above scholarships. Opportunities and eligibility vary by school, but educational benefits include tuition discounts up to 30 percent and are effective immediately. For a full list of participating schools, visit chick-fil-a.com/scholarships.
To be eligible for these opportunities, applicants must be employed as a Team Member by a Chick-fil-A Franchisee, a Chick-fil-A, Inc.-operated restaurant, or an STC brand restaurant. Current restaurant team members can learn how to apply through their local Operator, Interim Manager or Executive General Manager.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. began awarding scholarships to Team Members in 1973 based on founder S. Truett Cathy’s desire to incentivize Team Members to further their education. Since then, nearly 36,000 Team Members have received scholarships, bringing the total amount to nearly $36 million applied at more than 3,000 schools nationwide.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1964 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly prepared food in more than 2,000 restaurants in 43 states and Washington, D.C.
Chick-fil-A system sales exceeded $6 billion in 2015, which marks 48 consecutive years of sales growth. Chick-fil-A earned a top spot in the 2015 Customer Service Hall of Fame for the second year in a row and is the only quick service restaurant to make the Customer Service Hall of Fame. The company was also the only restaurant brand named to the Top 10 “Best Companies to Work For” by 24/7 Wall Street. More information on Chick-fil-A is available on the chain’s website located at www.chick-fil-a.com.
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Source: Chick-fil-A