Wegmans increases investment in employee scholarship program

Wegmans Food Markets announced it is increasing the annual award for recipients of the Wegmans Employee Scholarship. Applications for the 2022 scholarship award open in January to current part- and full-time Wegmans employees working in Wegmans stores, distribution centers and corporate offices.

Beginning in January 2022, part-time employee scholarship recipients will receive up to $8,000 over four years (increased from $6,000 previously), and full-time employees will receive up to $16,000 over four years (increased from $8,800 previously). No limit is placed on the number of scholarships awarded each year and, unlike other retail scholarship programs, no restrictions are made on a student’s course of study or preferred school, college or university. Recipients may enter any field they desire upon graduation; however, many scholarship winners decide to stay with Wegmans after college, continuing their career growth within the company. 

Since the program began in 1984, more than 42,500 Wegmans employees have been awarded scholarships totaling over $130 million. In 2021, a record number of 2,502 new recipients received employee scholarships, totaling approximately $5.6 million in tuition assistance for the 2021-22 academic year. With the increased award amount, Wegmans will now be investing more than $6.5 million in its employee scholarship program every year.

“Our people are at the heart of our success, and we’ve long believed that we can only achieve our goals by first helping them succeed,” said Colleen Wegman, president and CEO of Wegmans Food Markets. “By increasing the annual award for our scholarship recipients, more employees can pursue a higher education and achieve their goals. Whether they choose to continue their career with Wegmans or go on to make a difference elsewhere after graduation, we’re so grateful for our people.”

A press release stated, “From first-generation college students to working parents, employees in all stages of life benefit from Wegmans Employee Scholarship program each year. Briana Gonzalez struggled with choosing a field of study during her first few years of college. To help offset the costs of additional classes while finishing her degree, Gonzalez decided to apply for the scholarship while working part-time at Wegmans’ Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, store.”

She said, “Finding the right career path and major for me has been difficult. I have changed my major a handful of times so far. This scholarship will take off some financial stress and allow me to take additional courses of my interest that I was not able to take before. I am truly thankful to receive the Wegmans scholarship.”

Robert Campbell, perishable manager at a Wegmans store in Wake Forest, North Carolina, took advantage of the Wegmans Employee Scholarship while participating in Wegmans management internship program. The skills he learned during the program helped him to build a successful career and life that he is proud of.

“Who knows what might’ve happened without those experiences,” said Campbell, who not only started a new career when he relocated to Pennsylvania for a position with Wegmans, but also met his future spouse. “I now have a wife and three children, all because I took a chance on this internship and job.”

To receive a scholarship, Wegmans employees must meet work-performance criteria. Eligibility is also based on a minimum number of work hours over a specified time period.

Wegmans is currently hiring for part- and full-time positions ranging from customer service to managerial positions. Spots are available throughout the company, from Rochester to Raleigh. For more information, or to apply for a position, interested applicants are encouraged to visit jobs.wegmans.com.