Consumer Alert: How to go to college debt-free

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Want a debt-free college degree? Get a job! Target is the latest big retailer to offer its employees a free ride to college. And Guild Education, the company that manages the program, says it’s the most comprehensive one it has seen.

This week, Target executives announced the company is offering full and part-time employees a debt-free GED, undergraduate degree, and $10,000 toward their master’s degree. They hope programs like this help them attract and keep good target associates.

Their announcement comes a week after Walmart announced its expanding its college assistance program. The largest private employer in the country will now pay for the tuition and textbooks for any full or part-time associate. The company used to require employees to pay one dollar a day to participate. But Walmart says it was inspired to delve into the company coffers and come up with more cash because of changes in the job market.

I’ve been researching the companies that will help you pay for college. And the list is long. Here are a few:

• Chipotle
• Taco Bell
• Lowes
• Disney
• Starbucks.

These are just a few. Scholly has compiled a list of 50 companies that offers some kind of tuition reimbursement program.

If you can juggle a part-time job while working on your degree, it’s a list worth considering.