Everything You Need To Know About Walmart’s Live Better U Program

College can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those juggling family, financial, or other obligations. If you’re a Walmart associate looking to expand your career possibilities, the Live Better U Program could be a game-changer. Launched by Walmart, this initiative is designed to help employees pursue their educational dreams without sacrificing their jobs. Here’s what you need to know about what this program can offer you.

What is Walmart Live Better U Program?

Walmart’s Live Better U Program aims to support the education and career growth of all its employees. This program offers affordable and accessible education options, regardless of job position or seniority.

By investing in education, Walmart helps employees gain knowledge and skills for career success. This strengthens the workforce and benefits the communities Walmart serves. The program encourages continuous learning and personal growth, offering various educational paths to match different interests and career goals.

Key Features of the Walmart Live Better U Programs 2024

The Live Better U Program 2024 offers a range of key features designed to support Walmart associates in their educational and career development. The program provides affordable education, allowing employees to earn a college degree for just $1 a day, with tuition, books, and fees covered to minimize financial burdens.

Affordable Education

• Low Cost: Employees can earn a college degree for just $1 a day.
• Debt-Free: The program covers tuition, books, and fees, minimizing financial burdens.

It offers a wide range of programs, including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as career diplomas and certificates, in partnership with accredited institutions to ensure high-quality education. The program’s flexibility is evident through its online courses, enabling employees to study at their own pace and schedule, accommodating the busy lives of working adults. Comprehensive support is available through academic advisors, success coaches, career counseling, and job placement assistance.

Wide Range of Programs

• Degrees and Certificates: Offers various programs, including associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as career diplomas and certificates.
• Accredited Institutions: Partners with accredited universities and colleges to ensure high-quality education.
• Available Live Better U Programs 2024: language learning programs, high school diploma, college start,  ACT/SAT prep courses, short-form certificates, professional certificates, bachelor’s degrees

Flexible Learning Options

• Online Courses: Most programs are available online, allowing employees to study at their own pace and schedule.
• Work-Friendly: Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working adults.

The Live Better U Program is inclusive and open to all Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, regardless of their job position or length of service. Employees can start benefiting from the program on their first day. It offers diverse fields of study, such as business, supply chain management, cybersecurity, and healthcare, along with courses for personal and professional development.

The program also focuses on pathways to advancement by providing leadership development and skill enhancement opportunities to prepare employees for leadership roles and higher-paying positions.

Inclusive Eligibility

• All Employees: Open to all Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, regardless of their job position or length of service.
• Immediate Access: Employees can start taking advantage of the program from their first day on the job.​​

Diverse Fields of Study:

• Business, Technology, and More: Offers programs in high-demand fields such as business, supply chain management, cybersecurity, healthcare, and more.
• Personal and Professional Development: Includes courses that help employees develop both personally and professionally.

For 2024, Walmart has expanded its partnerships with universities, including Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue University Global, and the University of Florida. New programs in data analytics, software development, and advanced manufacturing have been introduced to meet emerging industry needs.

Additionally, the program has increased its support services, offering 24/7 tutoring and mental health resources to ensure student success. Through these features, the Live Better U Program continues to provide valuable educational opportunities, helping Walmart associates grow both personally and professionally.

Walmart Live Better U Programs 2024

• New Partnerships: In 2024, Walmart has expanded its partnerships with universities, including Southern New Hampshire University, Purdue University Global, and the University of Florida.
• Additional Programs: Introduction of new programs in data analytics, software development, and advanced manufacturing to meet emerging industry needs.

Live Better U Program Eligibility

Live Better U has four subprograms, each with specific requirements. However, the main eligibility criterion is that you must be a Walmart associate. There’s no waiting period, so you can join from your first day on the job.

Unlike the now-discontinued Walmart Dependents Scholarship program, Live Better U benefits are only for Walmart associates—not their family members. Relatives of associates, including children, cannot participate. While this might disappoint some, the program’s advantage is its inclusivity. Both part-time and full-time associates can benefit from this, ensuring opportunities for everyone.

How To Participate in the Live Better U Program

Signing up for Live Better U is straightforward and entirely online. All sign-up links for the different Live Better U programs are consolidated on a single website. You can explore program offerings and find the links to sign up for individual programs on Walmart’s Live Better U website.

When you select a program, you’ll be directed to sign in using your Walmart associate ID, your country or region, and your location. This means you must be a Walmart employee to sign up for Live Better U. Additionally, you need to submit an online application to the specific degree program you want to complete.

This requirement applies to both the Live Better U college degree and professional certification programs. To complete these applications, you’ll be asked to enter your employer name—Walmart—and then follow the step-by-step instructions provided.

For example, if you want to complete a bachelor’s of science in business administration through the University of Florida, you’ll first need to sign up for Live Better U and then fill out a separate application for this degree program. The main takeaway is that you must be a Walmart employee with an employee ID to be eligible to sign up. Once you have that, you’ll need to apply to your specific program as well.

Simple Online Process

• Sign-up process is entirely online.
• Links for all Live Better U programs are on a single website.
• Explore program offerings and find sign-up links on Walmart’s Live Better U website.

Walmart Associate Requirements

• Must be a Walmart employee to sign up.
• Sign in using your Walmart associate ID, country or region, and location.

Application for Degree Programs

• Submit an online application for the specific degree program.
• Applies to both college degree and professional certification programs.
• Enter the employer name—Walmart—and follow step-by-step instructions.

How is the Live Better U Program different from other scholarships?

Live Better U is an employee benefits program, not a scholarship program. This distinction means that the program’s offerings are open to almost all Walmart associates, but not to individuals who do not work for Walmart. The only employees who do not qualify for the program are temporary/seasonal employees or those who already possess a bachelor’s degree.

Live Better U is an exclusive benefit for Walmart employees. It is not available to the general public or to the relatives of Walmart employees, such as children, spouses, or parents. Unlike traditional scholarships, which are often competitive and merit-based, Live Better U is accessible to all eligible Walmart associates, regardless of their high school GPA, extracurricular activities, or other typical scholarship criteria.

The main takeaway is that Walmart Live Better U is an inclusive and accessible educational benefit provided by Walmart for its associates. It is designed to help employees further their education and career development, without the competition and merit-based restrictions typical of traditional scholarships.

Helpful Tips for Successful Learning

Succeeding in the Live Better U program involves more than just attending classes and completing assignments. You need effective learning strategies and habits. Here are some tips:

• Create a Good Study Environment: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you can focus without distractions. This might be a study room, library, or a cozy corner at home. A dedicated space enhances concentration and productivity.
• Use Learning Resources: Take advantage of the program’s resources like textbooks, online materials, and interactive platforms. Join study groups or online forums to discuss and share ideas with fellow students.
• Manage Your Time Well: Balancing work, studies, and personal life can be tough. Prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and use your free time wisely. Allocate specific study times and organize your schedule to balance work and studies effectively.

Balancing Work and Studies

Balancing work and studies in the Live Better U program is challenging but achievable with the right strategies:

• Prioritize Tasks: Focus on the most important and urgent tasks first. This helps you make progress in both work and studies without feeling overwhelmed.
• Use Free Time Wisely: Find pockets of time during your day for studying, such as lunch breaks, commutes, or evenings. Using these moments effectively allows you to advance your studies without neglecting work.
• Stay Motivated: Remind yourself of the long-term benefits and career opportunities the program offers. Visualize the future possibilities to stay focused on your goals.

Balancing work and studies is tough, but the rewards are worth it. The Live Better U program helps you enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, and open new career doors. Finding the right balance sets you up for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the Live Better U Program cover?

Walmart covers the program tuition for eligible associates and reimburses all required program fees. This includes expenses for books, registration fees, technology fees, required exam fees, inclusive access content fees, graduation fees, and externship fees for eligible associates.

2. What is Walmart University?

Walmart University is an internal training and development program designed to enhance the skills and career prospects of Walmart associates. It offers a range of courses and training opportunities focused on professional development, leadership, and technical skills to support career advancement within the company.

3. Is Walmart University the same with Live Better U Program?

No, Walmart University is a broader educational initiative by Walmart, while the Live Better U program specifically offers educational benefits like degrees and certificates for Walmart employees.

4. Does the Live Better U Program offer master’s degrees?

They are not currently planning to add master’s degrees to their offerings, as only a few roles within the organization require that level of education.

5. Do you have higher chances of being promoted if you go through the Live Better U Program?

Yes, associates who go through the Live Better U Program have higher chances of being promoted. The program equips them with valuable skills and education, making them more competitive for advancement within the organization.

6. Is in-person education available for those finishing a college degree through the Walmart Live Better U Program 2024? 

No, the Walmart Live Better U Program 2024 offers college degrees entirely online. In-person education is not available through this program.