Yes, the rumors are true. I am in graduate school, studying to earn my Master’s of Art in Art and Culture Management at the University of Denver. And I don’t have to pay a single cent for it. Not even for textbooks. Dreams really can come true, and it’s all thanks to The Walt Disney Company.

Background

In 2018, Disney invested an initial $50 million into the education of thousands of hourly workers and Cast Members. In this remarkable program, Disney covers 100% of tuition for undergraduate and graduate studies, certifications and programs, and second language studies. This includes GED and college prep programs, too.

This is such an amazing program and opportunity to further one’s education goals! I highly recommend every Cast Member look into it and seeing what programs and options are available. There are also many Disney Aspire expos and information workshops to help Cast Members get started.

Cast Members: even if you’re not interested in going back to school at the moment, I still recommend attending these expos. I went to one and got a free backpack! Plus, I got a photo with the big boss himself, Mickey!

Forgive me, please. The photo is edited out of oblivion due to harsh lighting. We’re cute, though.

Questions??

What programs are available? I already know what I would like to study and Disney wouldn’t offer what I want. I’m still not sure what I want to study, so I don’t think this program is right for me.

Answers!!

If these questions are running through your head, fret not! Disney offers a ton of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs to suit your needs. Some examples include: business management, leaderships studies, graphic design, engineering, English, criminal justice, human resources, psychology, and more! These programs are offered through different schools, like University of Arizona, University of Central Florida, Bellevue University, Brandman University, Wilmington University, and more!

Multiple certificate programs can be earned and covered, but only one Bachelor’s and one Master’s program through Aspire may be earned and covered by Disney.

If none of these quite pique your interest, you can always talk to an educational coach who will guide you throughout the entire process, helping you pick out the right program and next steps for you.

All of these classes are online, meaning they are flexible and easy to add to your schedule. I never took an online course before enrolling, but truthfully, taking an online class through Disney Aspire is so much easier than my undergraduate career (maybe it’s because I only take one grad course at a time whereas in undergrad I took four….). Being able to set aside time for your studies and personal development is incredibly empowering as well.

If you have any questions about Disney Aspire or want to hear more about my experience, reach out through my social media links listed below. You can also directly contact me.

Click here to read more about the Disney Aspire program. Click here if you’re a Disney Cast Member to explore all the different program options.