Walmart Expands Tuition-Free Education Program to Associates in Canada, Adds U of Ark.

Walmart Inc.’s tuition-free, fully online educational program for employees has added the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, to its roster of approved schools and colleges, the Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported. In addition, the Bentonville-based retailer is expanding Live Better U to Walmart associates in Canada.

Through Live Better U, Walmart and Sam’s Club employees can now choose to earn a bachelor’s degree from the Walton College of Business in supply chain management, marketing or general business. Other offerings include “short-form” programs in areas such as data science and purchasing fundamentals.

Launched in 2018 in partnership with education benefits management company Guild and steadily expanded in the years since, Live Better U is designed to provide the 1.5 million Walmart and Sam’s Club associates in the U.S. free access to educational and career-building resources, such as 100% payment of college tuition and books starting on the first day of full-time or part-time employment.

Since Walmart started Live Better U, the program has grown to offer more than 70 degree and certificate programs through 25 academic institutions. The University of Arkansas will be its 26th.

Registration on Guild’s learning marketplace opens on June 20 for the fall semester.