Teammates

Teammates will not be able to access these benefits or the InStride portal to begin applications until January 15, 2026. This is a preview of the upcoming new Education Assistance Benefits for teammates.

Starting Thursday, January 15, these new Education Assistance Benefits will be available for all eligible teammates across the enterprise. Through our partnership with InStride, Advocate Health will deliver one harmonized plan with direct pay options, loan support and expanded “no-cost” education pathways.

InStride Upfront Tuition 

A new and exciting addition! With InStride Upfront Tuition, you do not have to pay out of pocket or wait for reimbursement. Advocate Health partners with InStirde to pay your tuition directly to your school -- no reimbursement or applications to receive payment required. 

How it works

You can choose from over 1,300 flexible online programs, including: 

  • Undergraduate and graduate degrees
  • Professional and industry certifications
  • High school diplomas 
  • English language learning 
  • Skill-building courses 

Advocate Health pays your tuition directly to your school. 

Coverage amounts 
 
Full-time teammates: $5,250 annual coverage for most programs; $7,500 for Franklin University nursing degrees or certificates. 
Part-time teammates: $2,625 annual coverage for all programs including Franklin University nursing degrees or certificates.  
Eligibility Benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time teammates. PRN, temporary, contract or contingent teammates are not eligible. 
What’s covered Tuition, plus any eligible books and fees included in your tuition bill. Coverage use is tracked by date of payment by Advocate Health.
Requirements 
 
Maintain good academic standing, remain employed with Advocate Health for 12 continuous months after tuition is paid and repay a prorated amount if you leave or are terminated for cause within 12 months. 
 
How to get started 
  1. Visit the InStride portal (coming Jan. 15, 2026) 
  2. Select Get Started or Get Enrolled and follow the on-screen or email instructions. 

Tuition Reimbursement 

Pay out of pocket for courses at accredited schools and get reimbursed after successful completion. 

Coverage amounts Full-time teammates: $5,250 annually
Part-time teammates: $2,625 annually
Eligibility 
 
Benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time teammates. PRN teammates are not eligible. 
 
What’s covered 
 
Tuition, books, application fees and course or exam fees 
Requirements 
 
Apply within 30 days of course start, earn at least a C (C- eligible) or Pass, submit documentation within 60 days of course end and stay employed 12 months after payment. All expenses for one course must be submitted in a single reimbursement request.

Continuing Education Program 

Pay out of pocket and get reimbursed for completing Continuing Education Units (CEU) from accredited organizations such as ACCME, ACPE, ANCC or AAPA. 

Coverage amounts  $1,500 annually (counts toward overall tuition limit)
Eligibility 
 
Benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time teammates and PRNs 
 
What’s covered 
 
Course fees, exam fees and registration costs 
 
Requirements Submit documentation within 60 days of course end and remain employed for 12 months after payment. All eligible expenses must be submitted together. 

CourseCa$h™

Formerly known as Direct Pay, CourseCa$h™ allows you to use funds through a digital card for select partner schools and programs. This digital card enables teammates to pay schools directly, simplifying the payment process. 

How it works 
 
For tuition: Advocate Health issues funds through a digital card. 
For books and eligible fees: Teammates request reimbursement. 
 
Coverage amounts 
 
Varies by program, see below.  
Eligibility 
 
Benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time teammates 
Available options 
 
  • Legacy Direct Pay Program: Continue your program at your school (for teammates previously earning <$55,000/year). Closed to new enrollments.  

  • Workforce Development Upskilling Pathways: Available to teammates selected into dedicated Workforce Development programs ($5,250 annually).  

  • Advocate Health Direct Pay Network: For approved partner institutions ($5,250 full-time / $2,625 part-time).  

  • Nursing Preferred Partner Program: Nursing degrees (ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) with $7,500 annual cap (gross-up included)/$3,750 for part-time.  

  • Nursing Voucher Program: Nursing certifications from approved organizations ($5,250 full-time/ $2,625 part-time).  

Please note, if you previously used Direct Pay, check that your school appears on the updated partner list to ensure eligibility. 

 
Requirements 
 
Apply within 30 days of course start, remain eligible throughout, stay employed for 12 months after tuition is paid and submit proof of completion and receipts within 60 days of course end.

Loan Support

Advocate Health helps pay down your existing student loan debt through direct payments to your loan servicer. 

How it works  Payments are made directly to the loan servicer in monthly installments. 
 
Coverage amounts  Full-time teammates: Up to $5,250/year (lifetime max $21,000) 
Part-time teammates: Up to $2,625/year (lifetime max $10,500)
Eligibility 
 
Full-time and part-time teammates in select roles. More information on eligible roles is coming soon. No immediate changes will occur for enrolled participants who will no longer be eligible in the future. 
 

Please note: Some legacy programs were consolidated or eliminated as part of the harmonization process. If your previous program is now available through InStride Upfront Tuition, you can transfer to this option. If your program no longer exists, you can use CourseCa$h™ at a preferred partner school, or tuition reimbursement. 

Approved Partner Institutions

Approved Schools for Workforce Development Upskilling Pathways & Advocate Health Direct Pay Network 

  • Milwaukee Area Technical 
  • Gateway Technical College 
  • Northeast Wisconsin Technical 
  • Moraine Park Technical College 
  • Lakeshore Technical College 
  • Waukesha County Technical 
  • Fox Valley Technical 
  • Blackhawk Technical College 
  • Waubonsee Community College 
  • Harper College 
  • College of Lake County 
  • Oakton Community College 
  • Elgin Community College 
  • Malcolm X College 
  • Moraine Valley Community College 
  • College of DuPage 
  • Prairie State College 
  • Central Georgia Technical College 
  • Middle Georgia State College 
  • Georgia Military College 
  • Gordon State College 
  • Forsyth Technical Community College 
  • Davidson-Davie Community College 
  • Guilford Technical Community College
  • Wake Technical Community College 
  • Wilkes Community College 
  • Edgecombe Community College 
  • Surry Community College 
  • Rockingham Community College 
  • University of North Carolina Charlotte 
  • University of North Carolina Greensboro 
  • Triton College 
  • South Suburban College 
  • Gadsden State Community College 
  • Central Piedmont Community College 
  • South Piedmont Community College 
  • Stanly Community College 
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College 
  • Gaston College 
  • Cleveland Community College 
  • Catawba Valley Community College 
  • York Technical College 
  • Georgia Highlands College 
  • Georgia Northwestern Technical 
  • Dalton State College 
  • Berry College 
  • University of North Carolina Wilmington 
  • University of North Carolina Pembroke 
  • Queens University of Charlotte 
  • Rasmussen University 
  • Aurora University 
  • Loyola University Chicago 
  • Herzing University 
  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 
  • University of Wisconsin Green Bay 
  • University of Wisconsin Parkside 
  • Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 
  • Carolinas College of Health Sciences 
  • Wake Forest University 
  • Duke University

Approved Schools for Nursing Preferred Partner

  • Chamberlain University
  • Lewis University 
  • University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 
  • University of Illinois at Chicago 
  • Concordia University at Wisconsin 
  • Concordia University 
  • University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 
  • Alverno College
  • Olivet Nazarene University 
  • Illinois State University 
  • Saint Xavier University 
  • Malcolm X College 
  • College of DuPage 
  • Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 
  • Carolinas College of Health Sciences
  • Wake Forest University 
  • Central Piedmont Community College 
  • Stanly Community College 
  • UNC Wilmington 
  • South Piedmont Community College 
  • Cleveland Community College 
  • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College 
  • Gardner-Webb University 
  • University of South Carolina 
  • Western Carolina University 
  • Queens University of Charlotte 
  • UNC Charlotte 
  • East Carolina University 
  • Western Governors University 
  • Marquette University 
  • Winston Salem State University   

Approved Schools for Nursing Voucher

  • ANA (American Nurses Association – NCNA, GNA, ANA – IL, WNA)  
  • AONL (American Organization for Nursing Leadership)  
  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)  
  • Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)  
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)  
  • Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC)  
  • Pediatric Nursing Certification Board – No Pass No Pay  
  • Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Society (WOCN) 
  • American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification – CAPA/CPAN Vouchers  
  • Medical Surgical Nursing Certification Board – Fail Safe Program  
Last Updated on 11/19/2025