ACT in new tuition benefits management venture

A new tuition assistance management company formed by ACT and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning will open a call center in Coralville this fall.

EdLink LLC was formed on Sept. 2 in Chicago. It expects to process $200 million in tuition assistance over the next two years, serving almost 800,000 employees in the United States.

The company will work with employers to administer their tuition assistance programs, ensuring that tuition assistance is provided to employees in compliance with company policies.

“EdLink is building on the combined strength of ACT and CAEL,”- said John Zappa, EdLink CEO, and former senior vice president for learner services of CAEL.

The Coralville location was chosen partly for its proximity to ACT. It will initially employ 10-20, a number expected to grow with time.

EdLink expects to open the Coralville operation on Nov. 1.

The Iowa City Area Development Group, City of Coralville, and Iowa Department of Economic Development were involved in efforts to bring the company to Coralville. Training will be provided by Kirkwood Community College under the Iowa Industrial New Jobs Training program.

ACT and CAEL each own 50 percent of the new company.

“ACT's mission is helping people achieve education and workplace success,” ACT Chairman and CEO Dick Ferguson said. “Employer-provided tuition assistance aligns well with this mission,” explained Dick Ferguson, chairman and CEO of ACT. He praised CAEL's operational excellence.