The Walt Disney Company is scaling back its popular tuition assistance program for employees, Disney Aspire, WKMG reported. The program will no longer cover the cost of master’s programs or some short-term trade certificates.
The scholarship previously covered 100 percent of tuition up front for either a bachelor’s or first master’s degree, including textbooks and other fees. However, starting in November, Disney will implement an annual funding cap of $5,250 for bachelor’s degrees at certain institutions. A Disney spokesperson told WKMG that the company continues to “evolve the program to meet the needs of our cast members and employees, as well as the needs of our business.”
Since the program’s launch in 2018, many employees have credited it as one of the top reasons why they chose to work for the company in the first place.
One self-proclaimed Disney cast member launched a petition on Change.org urging Disney to reverse its decision. As of Wednesday morning, more than 10,000 people had signed the petition.
“Let us continue to inspire through education,” the petition states. “Let not this opportunity be denied to us and the future participants of the program who wish to aim higher and fathom their academic potential.”
