For Some Drivers, Uber Offers New Benefit: Full-Ride Scholarships

Over the years, Uber has made one thing abundantly clear: The ride-hailing company’s relationship with its drivers is not boss-to-employee. Traditional employers—in the U.S. at least—generally offer healthcare, regular salaries, and benefits to full-time workers. Uber’s only real stated obligation is to program an app.

But recently, the company has been working to tighten its bond with the workers that use it. The latest example came today, when Uber announced it will begin providing a new perk to eligible drivers (or their loved ones): free online education through Arizona State University. That’s the biggest benefit of many that will be doled out through the company’s new driver performance rating system, Uber Pro. The company begins beta-testing the system in eight regions this week.