Your Education.
On Us.
Straight-Up Striping invests in its people. Every hour you work, you're earning an education benefit. It doesn't affect your paycheck. It never expires.
How It Works
Three things to know. Then a calculator that tells you exactly what you've already earned.
Earn $2.50/hr
Every hour you work accrues $2.50 in education benefit. Field crew, office, full-time, part-time, seasonal — same rate.
Never Expires
Your balance carries over year to year. Forever. Save it up for a degree, or use it semester by semester.
Up to $5,250/yr
The IRS annual tax-free payout cap. Anything beyond that in one year would be taxable, so we time it right.
See What You've Earned
Seasonal Return Bonus
Come back next season — we add to your balance.
| Return Season | Bonus Added |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (first season) | — |
| Year 2 return | + $250 |
| Year 3 return | + $500 |
| Year 4+ return | + $1,000 |
What's Covered
Education-related expenses qualify under IRC §127. Living expenses don't. Here's the line.
✓ Covered
- College, university, community college tuition (undergrad & grad)
- Trade school & vocational programs
- Accredited online degree & certification programs
- High school dual enrollment
- Required textbooks listed on syllabus
- Required course supplies, lab materials, drafting tools
- Required software or platform access fees
- Standardized testing fees required for enrollment or graduation
- Certification exam fees (vocational/professional programs)
- Mandatory enrollment/registration fees
✗ Not Covered
- Housing, room & board, meal plans
- Gas, parking, commuting to school
- Optional student health/dental insurance
- Gym, recreation, activity fees, fraternity/sorority dues
- Personal computers, tablets, phones (unless exclusively required by the course in writing)
- Student loan repayment (CARES Act §2206 provision expired Dec 31, 2025)
- Expenses already covered by scholarships, Pell Grants, or other aid
- Non-credit hobby/personal interest courses (no credential component)
- Courses at unaccredited institutions
FAQ
Key Terms — Plan Summary
A quick-reference card. The full Written Educational Assistance Plan (IRC §127) is available from the office.
- Plan Effective Date
- May 11, 2026
- Plan Year
- January 1 – December 31
- Eligibility
- W-2 employees, 90+ days, good standing
- Accrual Rate
- $2.50 per hour worked from date of hire
- Annual Payout Cap
- $5,250 (tax-free under IRC §127)
- Carryover
- Accrued balance never forfeited
- Waiting Period
- 90 days before first use
- Application Deadline
- Before course start, or within 30 days
- Proof Required
- Receipts + completion proof within 60 days
- No Cash Alternative
- Cannot be taken as wages or cash
- Repayment Trigger
- Voluntary quit or for-cause termination only
- Repayment Window
- 12-month retention period post-payment
- Layoff Protection
- No repayment if laid off
- Nondiscrimination
- Applied equally to all eligible employees
- Governing Law
- IRC §127, Colorado C.R.S. §8-4-105
This is a summary. The full Written Educational Assistance Plan (IRC §127) is available from the office.
Educational Assistance Application — IRC §127
Apply Now
Fill it out below. Print or download a PDF when you're done. Submit to your supervisor or the office.