Although a college diploma is not required to drive for Uber, the ride-sharing company’s commitment to education is clearly seen in the many academic success stories it has made possible nationwide since its 2018 launch.
In a partnership centered around flexibility for work and education, Uber and Arizona State University (ASU) are satisfying lifelong dreams and creating opportunities with a tuition reimbursement program for qualifying Uber drivers or their family members.
Sometimes it’s not a career change but self-enrichment that is the motivator for these college grads.
Take 62-year-old Roberto Arciniegas of Weston, Florida. Thanks to Uber’s support, Arciniegas will receive his diploma in August, having completed the work of a Graphic Information Technology major.
“I took the opportunity of this scholarship from Uber to enhance my knowledge but do not have plans to use it professionally,” said Arciniegas, who has been driving for Uber for nine years.
“My journey with Uber and ASU Online has been nothing short of incredible,” Arciniegas told Flexible Work News. “As an experienced Uber driver in the vibrant city of Miami, I've had the privilege of connecting with people from all corners of the globe. Miami, with its diverse population, has been a melting pot of cultures, and through Uber, I've had riders from nearly a hundred different countries.”
With so much diversity, one of the favorite features of his career became just getting to know the riders who are surprisingly willing to chat and tell their stories.
“In those brief moments shared between destinations, I've found myself playing the role of a listener, a confidant and sometimes even a counselor. It's humbling to have riders open up to me, seeking advice or simply sharing their stories,” he said.
With Uber, riders chose a set destination, but Arciniegas is open to possibilities for his own course as he eagerly looks forward to where his academic journey now takes him.
“This scholarship has been a true gift, opening doors to educational opportunities I may not have otherwise pursued. Today, as I near the end of my academic journey, I do so with honors, grateful for the support and encouragement from Uber. Together, my experiences with Uber and ASU Online have enriched my life in ways I never imagined,” he said.
Uber’s tuition rewards launched in eight cities including Phoenix in 2018 and spread nationwide that same year, according to Uber spokesman Zahid Arab. The top states for graduates are Arizona, Texas and California, and the typical candidate is a driver or courier—64%, according to company statistics, with slightly more males (59%) than females (41%) embracing this academic path. Top courses of study included psychology, information technology, nursing, organizational lead and liberal studies, Uber reports.
While the average age of these college grads is 36, Kevin Bowen, from just south of Baltimore, Maryland, is another Uber driver showing that opportunity knows no bounds. The 55-year-old exercised his “bragging rights” a little to tell how the program not only got him a degree in Business: Corporate Accounting this past May but he earned summa cum laude recognition with straight As.
Bowen started driving with Uber Eats in 2020 after getting laid off from his job during the pandemic and used the time off from traditional employment to work toward a Bachelor of Arts degree he hoped would open doors to future employment.
“In my field, I have a fair amount of experience, but never had the education. I was passed over for a number of jobs during/after the pandemic because of it. Having the degree removes that stumbling block,” Bowen told Flexible Work News. Not only the degree but the way he earned it—through the Uber program—has been a conversation topic he feels has set him “apart from the typical candidate.”
“I would never have been able to afford the tuition without the Uber program. Even after I found regular work, I continued to do the deliveries because I wanted to finish what I had started,” he said.
According to ASU’s website, drivers or family members can work toward an online undergrad degree (up to a maximum of 135 credits) or take a CareerCatalyst course on English language learning or entrepreneurship (up to $3,000)—all without charge. These costs are covered upfront for drivers who accomplish 2,000 trips and meet other criteria, Uber reports on its website.
“Regarding the Uber Scholarship program, I believe it is an excellent initiative,” Arciniegas said. “It provides a valuable opportunity for drivers or their chosen family members to pursue higher education, leading to positive and transformative changes in their lives.”