Education Assistance Programs Pave a Tuition-Free Path Forward
Brittany McCormick is a go-getter. She’s always wanted to get the most out of life, whether that means advancing in her career, trying a new hobby, or running a race.
“I lost a good friend when I was very young, and since that moment, I’ve always wanted to get the most out of the opportunities that life afforded me because she wasn’t going to have that chance,” said McCormick, assistant director of Marketing and Communications for Georgia Tech’s Scheller College of Business.
Since arriving at Tech 12 years ago, McCormick has shown the same zeal for her work as she does for her personal goals. She began her Tech career in Athletics and, in recent years, made the switch to Scheller. She’s been recognized for her excellence multiple times, including the Georgia Tech Leadership in Action Award in 2024. And now, she’s kicking her career up another notch, as a newly minted MBA graduate of the college where she works.
“I could see the immediate return on my time investment in this program because I was marketing the evening MBA program for my day job and attending classes in it at night. I was able to round out my business knowledge and bring to work the knowledge I’d gained from classes the night before,” McCormick said, adding that she was named the Evening MBA Student of the Year by her peers. “I’ve always seen the power that a Georgia Tech degree has in our students’ lives, and I’d always wanted to be a part of it. This degree has opened so many doors for me, and now I’m a proud alumna.”
Brandy Jones, assistant to the executive in the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC), began a master’s program at Troy University in 2022. For the first year, she paid out-of-pocket, but in 2023, STRAP policy changes meant she began receiving reimbursements from the USG for her education.
“It alleviated the financial hardships and a lot of stress that came with working while pregnant and already being a full-time mom and spouse,” said Jones, who graduated with a Master of Science in Human Resource Management in December 2024. “That assistance was so important for my future as well because I wanted financial stability to advance my career and hit life milestones, like owning a home and taking family vacations. I didn’t want pursuing a master’s degree to affect my ability to provide for my family.”
In addition to avoiding student loan debt, the tuition assistance programs can give employees a leg up in earning potential once they graduate.
The TAP and STRAP programs cover many postsecondary degrees, from bachelor’s to Ph.D., but most USG employees use the education assistance programs to earn a master’s or higher-level degree.
Professionals with a master’s degree continue to earn significantly more on average than those with only a bachelor’s, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Master’s degree holders earned a median annual salary of $95,680 in 2024, compared to a median annual salary of $80,236 for Americans with only a bachelor’s degree.
“Beyond the obvious career benefits that an advanced degree can provide, USG employees should consider how rare an opportunity like tuition-free postsecondary education is,” said Jamilieh Harris, Georgia Tech’s TAP and STRAP program manager. “These programs are designed to support your educational goals, whether you are pursuing a degree for the first time or seeking to further your education with a second degree. There are fewer and fewer places every day that financially support their employees’ education.”
As with any major life decision, mustering the courage to make it through the application process can sometimes be daunting, said Harris. That’s why Georgia Tech makes the process as simple as possible.
You can take the first step by visiting the education assistance webpage to learn which program is right for you. The page provides video guides, information session links, FAQs, and application instructions.
“We encourage all employees to take advantage of these fantastic programs,” Harris said. “Investing in your education is an investment in your future, and Georgia Tech is here to support you every step of the way.”
To learn more about TAP and STRAP, attend one of the upcoming virtual information sessions:
For more resources, visit one of the following links: