Disney Aspire, The Walt Disney Company’s education investment and career development program that offers 100% tuition paid upfront for hourly employees, has welcomed two new additions to its growing network of educational providers: California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College.
There are more than 29,500 hourly employees eligible to participate in Disney Aspire in the state of California, thousands of whom are already enrolled. As a result of these new additions, it’s anticipated that employees will also be able to attend select courses in person as well as online.
“Returning to school as a working adult is no easy feat, and we’ve heard from our employees time and time again how important it is that, when they make that decision, they want it to be at a place they already know and love,” said Chris Trout, vice president of learning and development at The Walt Disney Company. “I can’t think of a better way to provide them that opportunity than through California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College.”
Combined, California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton College will bring almost 70 new degree and program offerings to Disney Aspire.
California State University, Fullerton is the largest campus within the California State University system and is a catalyst for social mobility as the number-one university in California in graduating women and students of color. “We’re beyond proud to be a neighbor to Disneyland Resort, and even more excited to embark on this new adventure together,” said Fram Virjee, president at California State University, Fullerton. “This is just the first step in working together to help build a better tomorrow for Orange County and our community.”
Fullerton College is one of the oldest community colleges in the state of California, and one of the most successful in the nation. It is also the top feeder school of transfer students into California State University, Fullerton. “For more than a century, we’ve been preparing our students for success,” said Dr. Monte Perez, interim president at Fullerton College. “We can’t wait to open up the door to even more of our neighbors and help them to make the most of their futures through this new collaboration with Disney.”
Since Disney Aspire launched, the program has contributed to The Walt Disney Company’s strong pipeline of internal talent. More than 13,000 employees are currently enrolled, more than half of whom identify as students of color.
This announcement follows the introduction of Disney Aspire’s first in-network HBCU, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and first culinary-dedicated institution, Johnson & Wales University, earlier this year. In partnership with Guild, Disney Aspire removes barriers to education and contributes to the Company’s strong pipeline of talent by:
- Covering 100% of tuition upfront, as well as reimbursem*nts for required books and fees
- Offering an enhanced program and degree catalog that aligns with the predicted future of work trends
- Providing individual student success coaching from start to finish through Guild
- Enabling students to prepare for career mobility through the Disney Aspire Alumni Association and other extensive post-graduate support
For more information about Disney Aspire, visit Aspire.Disney.com.
FAQs
In 2023, CSUF along with Fullerton College, the university's primary community college feeder school, became the first brick-and-mortar locations for the Disney Aspire program, allowing local employees to not only meet their career goals but to engage in an on-campus college experience.
What schools does the Disney Aspire program pay for? ›
BURBANK, Calif., July 20, 2022—Disney Aspire, The Walt Disney Company's education investment and career development program that offers 100% tuition paid upfront for hourly employees, has welcomed two new additions to its growing network of educational providers: California State University, Fullerton and Fullerton ...
Does the Disney college program pay for your tuition? ›
Disney Aspire offers comprehensive tuition coverage to eligible hourly employees to help them remove this barrier. This benefit allows them to pursue higher education without the burden of excessive student debt. The program covers tuition, required fees, and even required books for approved courses or programs.
What colleges does Disney recruit from? ›
Where did people who work as animators at Walt Disney Animation Studios go to college?
| College | Location |
|---|
| California State University, Northridge | Los Angeles, California |
| Pratt Institute | New York, New York |
| Vancouver Film School (VFS) | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| California State University, Fullerton | Fullerton, California |
29 more rowsFeb 20, 2024
Participants are responsible for the housing cost for their apartment each week (Sunday – Saturday) that they are on the program. Please review your signed payroll deduction request form for the weekly rate of your apartment.
How many get accepted to Disney College Program? ›
The Disney College Program acceptance rate is about 20%. It's important to note that your major will not have an effect on the chances of your acceptance into the program. However, the admissions board will check your academic records.
What is the Disney scholarship? ›
About The Walt Disney Company
This program offers scholarship funding, professional development, mentorship, and access to career opportunities to highly qualified students.
Does Disney pay for Cal State Fullerton? ›
'Cal State Disneyland'
“Disney also recognizes that CSUF has an incredible impact on Orange County's economy. In fact, nearly 80 percent of our more than 310,000 alumni have stayed within a 50-mile radius of campus." In addition to covering tuition, Disney will also reimburse employees for applicable books and fees.
How much is the Disney College Program deposit? ›
Q: What costs are involved in participation in the WDW College Program? A: A $100 deposit is required when you accept the position, a $200 non-refundable housing/recreation deposit and the cost of transportation to and from Orlando is also an expense you will incur.
Is the Disney College Program hard to get into? ›
The Disney College Program acceptance rate lies somewhere around 20%. So, typically, for every 100 applicants, only 20 are accepted.
As of Apr 20, 2024, the average annual pay for the Disney College Program jobs category in California is $46,349 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $22.28 an hour. This is the equivalent of $891/week or $3,862/month.
What GPA do you need for Disney college? ›
Your cumulative GPA must be at least 2.0 by the time you leave for Florida or California. (a 1.999 is not acceptable). In the semester prior to participation in the College Program, you must be registered for, and passing, at least two academic courses with a C or better grade.
How long is the Disney College Program? ›
Students must complete at least one semester of university or college before entering the Disney College Program. Programs last between five and seven months, though the culinary program's length depends on the student's school schedule.
Do you take classes during the Disney College Program? ›
Additionally, while participating in the Disney College Program, students can continue to take online courses through their university of enrollment, and remain on track with their degree program.
Do CSUF students get Disney discounts? ›
With CSUF enrollment, students can save anywhere from 10-50 percent on theme parks such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
What is included in the Disney College Program? ›
The Disney College Program offers students a combination of on-the-job experience, college coursework, and immersion. In most cases, you'll have the chance to interact with individuals from around the world, reside in company-sponsored housing, and engage in paid internships at Disney theme parks and resorts.
What group is Fullerton under? ›
The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts is owned by Sino Group, one of the leading property developers in Hong Kong.
