Boeing to limit employees’ subsidy on college tuition

SEATTLE – Some Boeing employees are about to lose a fabulous perk, and the cost-cutting move could mean a significant financial hit for some Seattle-area colleges and universities as well.

Until now, when a Boeing employee enrolled for any class at any accredited college, the company picked up the tuition – with no restrictions. Boeing currently pays for the classes of about 6,000 employees in the Puget Sound region and 21,000 companywide.

But many of those enjoying free classes will lose that benefit at year-end, when Boeing starts limiting its subsidy to cover only courses that further an employee’s career at the company.

For now, the new policy applies only to non-union employees, and the unions are ready to resist Boeing plans to have the changes apply to their members.

One local employee, who is entering the second year of Seattle University’s four-year evening law-degree program, just learned that beginning in January the company will not pay the $30,000-plus annual tuition.

“It’s a huge blow,” said the employee, who asked not to be identified when talking about company policies. “One reason I stayed at Boeing was because of the tuition.”

Of the 201 law students in Seattle University’s part-time evening program, 43 are Boeing employees.

Boeing spokeswoman Karen Forte said the company’s support for employees’ continuing education previously was almost unlimited.

“It was pretty much an open-checkbook program,” she said.

There was no requirement to stay with the company after finishing the coursework, no limit on what kind of classes were covered, she said.

From October, Boeing will pay for new enrollments only in courses deemed “strategic” to its business. So no more free wine-appreciation classes, culinary-arts degrees or soccer workshops.