YOUR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES CAN TAKE COLLEGE CLASSES WITHOUT PAYING UP FRONT.
This is the way college should be.
SMC's new Employer Pay Program
HOW IT WORKS:
Step One: Provide Proof of Tuition Benefits
Provide your employees with documentation confirming their eligibility for tuition benefits from your organization. If you don't offer benefits but would like to start, SMC's Admissions and Financial Aid teams can help.
Step Two: Employees Enroll in SMC Online Classes
With proof of tuition benefits from your organization, your employees can enroll in online classes at SMC. They won't be billed until after they finish a course. This helps employees who can't afford to pay tuition costs out-of-pocket while waiting for reimbursement.
Step Three: Your Employee Pays SMC with Tuition Benefits
Once your employees finish their SMC courses, payment will not be due until the following semester. That gives your company time to verify successful course completion and distribute the tuition benefit payments to employees. Once they have their reimbursement, your employees pay SMC directly.
SKILLED WORKFORCE = STRONGER ORGANIZATION
A college-educated workforce brings stronger critical thinking, higher productivity, and greater adaptability—driving innovation, internal growth, and long-term organizational success.Benefit One: Enhanced Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
A college education generally instills problem-solving and critical thinking skills. At SMC, our bachelor’s degrees go further—offering intensive, hands-on training not only in those areas but also in professional communication, teamwork, and project management. Your employees will graduate equipped to tackle complex challenges with confidence. Unlike other colleges, SMC integrates this value-added training directly into the degree—so your employees gain these essential skills without additional time or cost.
Benefit Two: Increased Productivity and Performance
Employees with higher education levels often bring greater efficiency, creativity, and initiative to their roles. Research in education economics shows that a well-educated workforce strengthens overall economic performance and raises earning potential—benefiting both individuals and organizations alike.
Benefit Three: Higher Employee Retention Rates
Investing in employees' education can lead to increased loyalty and reduced turnover. For instance, companies offering education benefits, like Walmart's Live Better U program, have reported that participants are more likely to stay with the company longer and are promoted at higher rates compared to non-participants.
Benefit Four: Attracting Top Talent
Organizations that support educational advancement are more attractive to prospective employees—and that’s a strategic advantage in today’s competitive hiring landscape. Tuition assistance and degree pathways signal that a company values growth, development, and long-term careers. This strengthens employer branding, helps attract high-potential talent, and increases offer acceptance rates. In fact, surveys have shown that education benefits rank among the most desired perks for younger job seekers and working adults looking to upskill.
Benefit Five: Building an Internal Talent Pipeline
Educational programs are a powerful way to build leadership from within. By equipping employees with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to take on more responsibility, organizations can create a strong internal talent pipeline. This reduces reliance on external hiring, shortens the ramp-up time for new leaders, and preserves institutional knowledge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click on a question to see the answer. Use the "Show All" button to expand all questions.
Who is eligible for the Employer Pay Program?
Any student who has employer tuition benefits and is accepted for admission to SMC.
How do employees apply for SMC's Employer Pay Program?
They don’t need a separate application! Employees complete a regular admissions application and FAFSA. To enroll in the Employer Pay Program, they simply:
- Verify your organization's employer benefits, then apply to attend SMC.
- Our Admissions Counselors will guide you them through the process.
Who is responsible for paying SMC?
Your employees are responsible for paying SMC for all courses they take. Whether they pay with your company's tuition benefits or out of pocket, your organization is not responsible for making payment to SMC.
Can employees attend full-time and part-time?
Yes, employees can start or finish a degree by taking a full course load or class-by-class—whatever works best for them. But keep in mind:
- Some financial aid options might only be available to full-time students.
- Your organization's rules about tuition assistance for full- or part-time employees would apply.
Must employees pay anything up front?
No. SMC will apply any federal or state aid they qualify for (except student loans) to their balance. If there’s still a remaining amount, they won’t have to pay anything up front—it will be deferred until the start of the new term. They can start classes without paying out of pocket.
Will students be charged interest or fees for deferring their tuition?
Nope! There are no interest charges or hidden fees for deferring their tuition. This is a program you can feel good about sharing with your employees. They can focus on your education without worrying about extra costs.
When do employees pay SMC?
After completing their courses, they have until the following semester. This gives your organization time to verify their success and to process payment.
- If they start online classes in August/October, payment wouldn't be due until January.
- If they start classes in January/March, payment wouldn't be due until May.
- If they start classes in May, payment wouldn't be due until August.
What if my company's benefits only cover part of tuition? Can employees still defer the full amount?
Yes! Your employees still will not have to pay anything up front. Their tuition will be due on the same schedule as in the question above.
- Employees must let us know in advance if their employer only covers part of their tuition.
- We can help them explore additional financial aid or payment options.
- Their Admissions Counselor will work with them and SMC's Business Office to get everything worked out.
What if your employee fails a course?
If your tuition benefits don't pay for a failed class, your employee is responsible for the payment out-of-pocket.
- We can help them find other ways to pay, such as grants, scholarships or loans.
- We can also work with them to set up a payment plan.
Will SMC provide employee grades or other information to my company?
We are unable to share grades with an employer due to FERPA restrictions; however, your employee will receive registration confirmation and a transcript with final grades that they can share with you to prove attendance and course completion.
Do employees have to take courses online?
Most working adults prefer the convenience of online courses, but if they want to take in-person, on-campus classes, our Admissions Counselors can work with them to make it happen, if at all possible.
QUESTIONS? WANT TO CHAT?
REACH OUT:
Georgia Roberts
Online Enrollment Coordinator
robertsg@smcsc.edu
(864) 590-5002