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    How to Ask Your Employer to Pay for Your Online Course

    Young professional meeting with his boss.
    • 20 Feb 2025
    Kiley Reitano Author Staff
    tag
    • Career Development

    Continuing your education can help you grow your career or transition to a new field. But a major factor in enrolling in a certificate or credential program, like those offered by Harvard Business School Online, is figuring out how to pay for it.

    Many organizations offer tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits package. Yet, research shows that while 80 percent of working adults are interested in furthering their education, only 40 percent know their employer provides a tuition reimbursement program—and just two percent take advantage of it. Some worry about fitting education into their already busy schedules. Others hesitate to ask their supervisors or fall into the category of being unaware of the perk.

    The reality? Gaining new skills can fast-track career growth. According to a survey by market research firm City Square Associates, 91 percent of learners said HBS Online had a positive impact on their careers. Thirty-six percent made a career change after taking their HBS Online course, while 31 percent got promoted.

    For employers, tuition reimbursement can also be an extraordinary retention tool. According to educational support services company Bright Horizons, 76 percent of employees are more likely to remain with their company because of its tuition reimbursement program.

    But how do you ask your employer to fund your education? If you’re considering an HBS Online course, here are tips to help you request employer reimbursement.


    Free E-Book: Your Guide to Online Learning Success

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    Steps to Help You Request Employer Reimbursement

    1. Prioritize Your Career Growth in Your Request

    Managers want to understand what drives their employees—whether it’s salary, stock options, or recognition. For many, the greatest motivator is the opportunity to grow.

    Ensure your manager knows career growth is important to you and seek their advice. For example, if your goal is to move into a leadership role, ask what skills are needed—whether it’s strategy execution, financial literacy, or team leadership. If data analysis is crucial for a promotion, a business analytics course could provide the skills to take the next step. Identifying these gaps can help you identify and find the right course to bridge them.

    Related: Balancing Life & Learning with Flexible Online Courses

    2. Do Your Research

    If your company doesn’t have a publicized tuition assistance program, don’t lose hope; many organizations allocate funds for professional development. While these might go toward industry conferences, they may also cover continuing education.

    Check-in with your human resources department and ask colleagues if they’ve used the benefit. For example, if a marketing co-worker was reimbursed for a digital marketing certificate, that could set a precedent for your request. Understanding how others have leveraged employer reimbursement can strengthen your case.

    As you research, pay close attention to eligibility requirements, such as:

    • Grading policies: Do you need to earn a specific grade, or is pass/fail acceptable?
    • Payment policies: Will you need to pay upfront and get reimbursed, or does your employer cover costs directly?
    • Type of institution: Does the course provider need to be accredited? Are online courses eligible?
    • Additional requirements: Is there a minimum length of employment or weekly hours worked to qualify?

    Knowing these details in advance will help you prepare a stronger, well-informed request.

    3. Create a Strong Pitch for Tuition Reimbursement

    Approach your request like a formal negotiation. Be prepared with a clear, well-structured case outlining the skills you’ll gain and how they’ll benefit your team and company.

    If possible, gather supporting documents to make the process as easy as possible. For example, at HBS Online, we can offer a:

    • Course syllabus
    • Acceptance letter
    • Letter of enrollment
    • Letter confirming course completion

    Consider also sharing your resume, a personal statement, and a professional development plan.

    Anticipate objections and be prepared to address them. If your manager worries about the course affecting your workload, emphasize that most online programs are flexible and designed to fit around your schedule.

    Related: 6 Negotiation Skills All Professionals Can Benefit From

    4. Demonstrate the ROI

    One of the strongest arguments is the return on investment (ROI) your employer can expect from you taking the course. Outline how it would help you be more effective in your role, enhance your skills, and directly benefit your team and organization.

    For instance, an online leadership course about transforming customer experiences could help you deliver stronger service aligned with your company’s mission, vision, and values and give your business a competitive edge.

    When possible, quantify the impact—such as increased efficiency, cost savings, or revenue growth—to make an even stronger case. You can also highlight success stories from past learners who have benefited from the program. Sharing real-world examples of how others have applied their education to drive results can reinforce the value of your request.

    Related: What Is the Value of a Certificate from HBS Online?

    5. Time Your Ask Appropriately

    Choose the right moment to ask for tuition assistance. Annual performance reviews are ideal, as they naturally involve career discussions and goal-setting.

    If your request is approved, clarify the terms:

    • Commitment: Will you need to stay with the company for a set period after completing the program?
    • Payment structure: Do you pay upfront and get reimbursed later?
    • Academic requirements: Is a minimum grade required for reimbursement?

    Understanding these details upfront will help you navigate the process smoothly.

    Your Guide to Online Learning Success | Download Your Free E-Book

    Make the Case for Your Professional Growth

    Securing tuition reimbursement is a powerful way to invest in your future. By demonstrating the ROI, timing your request strategically, and understanding the requirements, you can present a compelling case to your employer.

    Institutions like HBS Online offer flexible, high-quality programs that can help advance your career. Whether you're aiming for a promotion or want to strengthen key skills, the investment in your education will benefit you and bring value to your team and company.

    Are you interested in furthering your education? Explore HBS Online’s course catalog and download our free guide—complete with interactive workbook sections—to determine if online learning is right for you and which course to take.

    This post was updated on February 20, 2025. It was originally published on July 24, 2019.

    About the Author

    Kiley Reitano is a marketing manager at Harvard Business School Online. Before joining HBS Online, she developed content across various industries, including health and wellness, restaurant, and home improvement sectors. Kiley holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA from UMass Lowell. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and raising awareness for chronic illnesses.
     
    All FAQs

    Top FAQs

    How are HBS Online courses delivered?

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    We offer self-paced programs (with weekly deadlines) on the HBS Online course platform.

    Our platform features short, highly produced videos of HBS faculty and guest business experts, interactive graphs and exercises, cold calls to keep you engaged, and opportunities to contribute to a vibrant online community.

    Are HBS Online programs available in languages other than English?

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    We expect to offer our courses in additional languages in the future but, at this time, HBS Online can only be provided in English.

    All course content is delivered in written English. Closed captioning in English is available for all videos. There are no live interactions during the course that requires the learner to speak English. Coursework must be completed in English.

    Do I need to come to campus to participate in HBS Online programs?

    +–

    No, all of our programs are 100 percent online, and available to participants regardless of their location.

    How do I enroll in a course?

    +–

    Certificate Programs

    HBS Online welcomes committed learners wherever they are—in the world and their careers—irrespective of their professional experience or academic background. To extend the reach of HBS Online, we no longer require an application for our certificate programs. (Applications are still required for our credential programs: CORe and CLIMB.) You can now immediately enroll and start taking the next step in your career.

    All programs require the completion of a brief online enrollment form before payment. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before enrolling in the program of your choice.

    Our easy online enrollment form is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your enrollment status will be shown on your account page. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for enrollment for any HBS Online program.

    Credential Programs

    HBS Online's CORe and CLIMB programs require the completion of a brief application. The applications vary slightly, but all ask for some personal background information. You can apply for and enroll in programs here. If you are new to HBS Online, you will be required to set up an account before starting an application for the program of your choice.

    Our easy online application is free, and no special documentation is required. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, proficient in English, and committed to learning and engaging with fellow participants throughout the program.

    Updates to your application and enrollment status will be shown on your account page. We confirm enrollment eligibility within one week of your application for CORe and three weeks for CLIMB. HBS Online does not use race, gender, ethnicity, or any protected class as criteria for admissions for any HBS Online program.

    Does Harvard Business School Online offer an online MBA?

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    No, Harvard Business School Online offers business certificate programs.

    What are my payment options?

    +–

    HBS Online offers a variety of payment methods to provide flexibility, including:

    • Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and AMEX)
    • PayPal
    • Wire transfers
    • Western Union
    • Bank loans (When available)

    You may split your payment across two credit card transactions or send a payment link to another individual to complete payment on your behalf. A minimum payment of $350 is required for the first transaction.

    Some learners may also qualify for scholarships or financial aid, which will be credited against the program fee once eligibility is determined. Please refer to the Payment & Financial Aid page for more information.

    What are the policies for refunds and deferrals?

    +–

    After enrolling in a program, you may request a withdrawal with refund (minus a $100 nonrefundable enrollment fee) up until 24 hours after the start of your program. Please review the Program Policies page for more details on refunds and deferrals. If your employer has contracted with HBS Online for participation in a program, or if you elect to enroll in the undergraduate credit option of the Credential of Readiness (CORe) program, note that policies for these options may differ.

     

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