Workforce Edge Advisors Simplify the Tuition Assistance Process

"Is it time to go back to school?" Many working adults ask themselves this question, especially those who have career goals that can be supported by earning a degree, certification, or other credentials.

Getting started on a new program may seem daunting. Luckily, Workforce Edge isn't just a platform that connects you to educational options. It also features a team of dedicated advisors who will assist you at every step. This includes help navigating the tuition assistance process---if that's an option available through your employer. The advising team is well-versed in each partner's education benefit policies, and they can be an essential resource for this, and other topics related to education benefits.

Members of the Workforce Edge advising team recently explained how their work supports learners. They also offered advice for anyone considering additional education.

A high level of support at every step

“We want everybody to feel really valued during every interaction with us. We don't want our learners to ever feel that they didn’t get their question answered or that they don’t know what their next steps are.” – Dana Mallory, manager of advising services at Workforce Edge.

Offering support for all Workforce Edge users, no matter where they are in their education journey, is one of the cornerstones of the advising team’s work. It’s why they are available at any time. Contact methods include chat, email, or over the phone.

Jennifer Claypool, who’s been a senior Workforce Edge approval advisor for five years, views the team’s work as trying to provide the best customer service possible: “A lot of our learners are busy,” she explains. “Maybe they’re in retail and they’re interacting with others throughout their day, or they’re working nonstop. They appreciate being able to reach out to us whenever it works for them, to get the answers they need. Chat is especially good for this reason.”

Faith Berry, an advisor at Workforce Edge, underlines how the advising team is flexible and dedicated to supporting learners. “We want to meet you where you’re at in the process, no matter what way you like to communicate,” she says. “We want to make sure using the platform becomes second nature for our learners.”

For all Workforce Edge users, from those just starting to research what program might be the best fit to those who have completed a degree and want to keep going, the advising team is there to help. According to Mallory, “We are student-facing, so anybody who has a question about their policy, if they're eligible, how to submit the forms, anything about our schools, and so forth, they can reach out to our team. We don’t leave unread emails in our inbox, for example. We assist our learners with whatever they need.”

A team that understands what education can mean

“Many of our learners haven’t been enrolled in a program for a while, or they’re the first person in their family to do so and they haven’t had these kinds of conversations with others before. We’re very aware of that and provide as much info and support as possible.” – Jennifer Claypool, senior Workforce Edge approval advisor

One thing that sets the Workforce Edge advising team apart is that many of them have also gone back to school as working adults. Mallory notes that “a majority of the advising team have all gone back to school at some point in their careers. We’ve had full-time jobs, we’ve had families, we’ve had extracurricular activities, so we know what our learners are going through. We know what it’s like having to fit all these things into their schedules.”

It's that kind of understanding that fuels the team’s work. And it applies to learners regardless of the program they enroll in or their career stage. “One of my favorite things about this job is meeting people at different places in their educational journey,” notes Sabrina Delus, an advisor at Workforce Edge. “One learner may be finishing up their grad program, another returning to education after a yearslong hiatus, and another may be a recent high school graduate starting their first undergrad term.”

Claypool adds that “because so many of us have been there, and we know how much anxiety going back to school can cause, we’re proactive about helping people. For example, if we see that someone submitted forms multiple times, incorrectly, we’ll reach out to them and make sure they have what they need. We’ll walk them through each step to make sure it gets completed.”

Advice for prospective learners

“A lot of people hold themselves back because they’re nervous about getting started. I tell learners to just reach out, make the call, start the chat – we’ll provide the information. Taking that first, small action can make all the difference.” – Dana Mallory.

Many learners come to Workforce Edge knowing the program and school that will best match their interests. Others browse the platform to get a better understanding of what’s available, and then narrow down their choices.

Claypool likes to remind learners that Workforce Edge offers a variety of programs to suit a variety of needs. “Many of our offerings are self-paced, so learners can proceed on their own time,” she explains. “There are all kinds of certifications and skills programs available—not just traditional bachelor's or master’s degrees, though, of course, we have those too. I encourage people to explore what’s out there and see what programs can be completed in a few months or a few years, depending on what their needs are.”

Throughout conversations with the advising team, a consistent idea emerged: everyone’s education journey will look different, and learners should explore the programs that will be the most helpful. “Take your time and go at your own pace,” notes Sabrina Delus, Workforce Edge advisor.

Tiffany Opher, another advisor, echoes this idea. “Education is a lifelong achievement and benefit,” she says. “Take some time, set some goals, and you can complete them.”

For Mallory, the connection between education and achievement is particularly resonant. “I have an absolute passion for education,” she notes. “I can reflect back on my own experience and how I got a bachelor’s degree after I’d been working for a while and started my family. I didn’t know what education was going to look like, but getting my bachelor’s and then my master’s helped advance my career and made me a better person in general. I love that Workforce Edge is providing people with access to these opportunities. I love that our team can help people achieve similar things for themselves and their careers.”

If you’re ready to explore your educational options, you can get started by finding your employer here.