Expanded educational alliance provides eligible employees of Optimum Business customers with tuition-free course opportunities and additional savings to support career-relevant learning.

PHOENIX, Nov. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Optimum Business and University of Phoenix today announced an expansion of their existing educational alliance to make new education savings opportunities available to employees of eligible Optimum Business customers. Through the initiative, participating businesses can connect their employees with a University of Phoenix benefit offering one tuition-free course for every five courses completed.

The expansion builds on the organizations’ commitment to workforce development by extending education benefits beyond Optimum’s own employees to the teams of its business customers. For small businesses that may not have formal tuition assistance programs, the initiative offers another way to support employees who are pursuing degrees, developing new skills or continuing their education.

“Small businesses are at the heart of the communities we serve, and we want to help them and their employees thrive,” said Keith Bowen, President of News, Programming, and Business Services at Optimum. “Expanding our alliance with University of Phoenix gives Optimum Business customers another meaningful way to invest in their people and support continued learning and development.”

Education savings designed for working adults

Through the Optimum Business education savings opportunity, eligible employees can access several University of Phoenix benefits:

• Tuition-free course opportunity: Receive one tuition-free course for every five courses completed, subject to eligibility requirements.
    
• Additional education savings: University of Phoenix will waive resource fees for two courses each calendar year.

To qualify for the tuition-free sixth course, students must successfully complete 5 courses and begin the sixth course within 365 days of posting attendance in their first course. Additional eligibility requirements and University of Phoenix terms and conditions apply.

University of Phoenix offers career relevant degree programs to support professional learning goals. Flexible online learning is designed around the schedules of working adults, with students taking one course at a time and most courses completed in five or six weeks. Prospective students can also have qualifying professional training, certifications and prior learning evaluated for potential college credit. These learning options are designed to help adults pursue educational goals while balancing their work, family and other responsibilities.

“We’ve built a strong relationship with Optimum around a shared commitment to employee development, so expanding these opportunities to its business customers is a natural next step,” said Jay Titus, general manager and vice president of Workforce Solutions at University of Phoenix. “For smaller businesses that may not offer formal tuition benefits, this initiative creates another way to support employees’ education goals. And for working adults, it means access to tuition savings and flexible, career-relevant learning that can help them develop practical skills while balancing work and life.”

Building on an established educational alliance

Optimum first collaborated with University of Phoenix to provide tuition benefits to eligible employees in 2023. The new offering extends education savings opportunities to employees of Optimum Business customers, broadening the reach of the educational alliance.

Through University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions, the University works with organizations to connect employee learning opportunities with evolving workforce needs. The expansion reflects a shared focus on making career-relevant education more accessible to working adults and creating additional ways for businesses to support employee development.

Optimum Business customers and their employees can learn more about the education savings opportunity, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, at phoenix.edu/OBC.

About Optimum Communications

Optimum Communications, Inc. (NYSE: OPTU) is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.2 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum brand. We operate Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. We also operate News 12, which is focused on delivering best-in-class hyperlocal news content. 

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life^® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. 

About University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions 

University of Phoenix Workforce Solutions helps companies align employee development to business strategy through skills-based solutions designed to address evolving workforce needs. Its Adaptable Skills Solutions brings together professional development, education savings and AI skills intelligence to support workforce planning, retention and talent mobility. By combining data, tools and education resources, Workforce Solutions offers practical ways to identify skills gaps, inform workforce decisions and prepare employees for long-term adaptability in a rapidly changing workplace. Learn more at https://www.phoenix.edu/workforce-solutions.html.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix