Starbucks will now offer their employees a new perk -- a free college education.

The coffee company giant announced that it has partnered with Arizona State University's online studies program to provide employees with the opportunity to take two full years of classes at no costs, reports the Associated Press.

Both part-time and full-time employees can choose to major in any of the school's more than 40 undergraduate degrees.

The CEO of the upscale coffee retailer, Howard Schultz, said that the new education initiative is aimed at rebuilding the American dream for employees who are left behind in an economy without a degree.

"There's no doubt, the inequality within the country has created a situation where many Americans are being left behind. The question for all of us is, should we accept that, or should we try and do something about it," he said, reports USA Today.

"Supporting our partners' ambitions is the very best investment Starbucks can make," Schultz said in a statement, according to CNN Money.

Starbucks has yet to determine how much the program will cost since that figure will be based on how many people take advantage of the free online courses. However, Starbucks spokesman Jim Olson, said the benefit will cost about $30,000 per employee.

He added that most of the company's 135,000 workers are eligible, and that about 70 percent of them do not have undergraduate degrees.

Workers studying at other institutions can apply to transfer their credits to Arizona State University. And once the course is completed, employees will not be required to stay with Starbucks.

The program, which is entitled the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, will provide enrollment, financial aid and academic advisers to help students stay with the program, Starbucks said.

Starbucks employees who work a minimum of 20 hours a week will receive full tuition reimbursement if they enroll in ASU's online program as juniors or seniors. Workers who apply as freshmen or sophomores will be eligible to receive a scholarship for about $6,500, on average. However, ASU advisers will help them apply for financial aid like Pell Grants.