Free College Courses for Senior Citizens in All 50 States

We’re residing longer than ever earlier than, and doing so in higher well being. So what are you able to do if you retire and need to hold your thoughts sharp or want to realize further expertise to remain aggressive at work?

For a lot of, the reply is to return to high school. However tuition could be prohibitively costly.

On the identical time, colleges need their school rooms to be filled with engaged college students, no matter age. Within the curiosity of continuous training, many faculties and universities supply lowered or free faculty for seniors (sometimes, adults 60 and up, though the foundations differ).

In reality, we discovered a minimum of one possibility in each state.

Free (or Low cost) Faculty for Seniors in Each State

Whereas some establishments solely enable senior college students to audit lessons, many supply the possibility to earn credit towards a level at a lowered — or fully waived — tuition charge.

Does your state have a senior citizen training program you should utilize? Discover out under!

1. Alabama

The Alabama Fee on Larger Schooling states that Alabama seniors can attend any two-year institution inside the state tuition-free.

Adults 60 and older ought to contact the monetary support workplace at any neighborhood faculty for admission and eligibility particulars.

Some Alabama colleges, like Coastal Alabama Community College, supply on-line programs if you wish to keep away from in-person lessons.

2. Alaska

The University of Alaska waives tuition for senior-citizen residents who obtain full Social Safety advantages. Seniors should wait till the primary day of lessons to enroll to make sure that there’s house remaining; they need to additionally full a tuition-waiver kind.

Further prices akin to pupil exercise, well being heart and lab charges should not lined; the coed should pay them straight.

On-line programs could also be included if provided; examine with the admissions workplace for affirmation.

3. Arizona

All 10 campuses of Maricopa Community College enable senior residents to take lessons for credit score at 50% of the complete tuition price.

College students 65 and older should register between the primary and second class periods of the semester to make sure house is obtainable. You’ll be able to register for in-person, on-line or hybrid lessons.

4. Arkansas

Arkansas waives tuition for anybody 60 and over who desires to work towards an undergraduate or graduate diploma at state establishments.

Scholar charges could apply, and senior residents could register just for lessons with house out there. If you happen to want on-line programs, examine along with your chosen faculty to see what choices you have got.

5. California

California State University waives all tuition for state-supported lessons and dramatically reduces campus charges for residents age 60 or older.

Completely different Cal State places could supply on-line programs or in-person lessons. College students who attend in-person lessons should present proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

6. Colorado

College students age 55 and older could attend class on a space-available foundation at Colorado State University. There isn’t any tuition charge, however guests don’t get credit score for attending class. It’s as much as the teacher how participation and grading of assignments and exams are dealt with. CSU presently affords head to head, hybrid and on-line lessons.

On the University of Colorado Denver, individuals 60 and older could enroll on a no-credit foundation to attend as much as two lessons per semester as auditors when house is obtainable. (Programs with a lab part are excluded, as are laptop programs and on-line programs.)

7. Connecticut

Residents 62 and up could attend state colleges, together with neighborhood faculties, free of charge on a space-available foundation.

At Central Connecticut State University, for instance, tuition is waived for any resident over the age of 62 who applies for full- or part-time admission for a degree-granting program. On-line programs are included.

Senior college students can also take noncredit programs on a space-available foundation and have tuition waived. All college students should nonetheless pay all different charges.

8. Delaware

The College of Delaware, Delaware State College, and Delaware Technical and Neighborhood Faculty enable all permanent state residents age 60 or older to audit or take lessons for credit score free of charge.

On the University of Delaware, college students wishing to make use of this system should apply for admission on a space-available foundation. Some graduate levels could also be eligible, as nicely. Residents can register for on-line or in-person programs.

Individuals should pay all associated pupil charges and purchase their very own textbooks.

9. District of Columbia

Senior residents 65 and up could audit undergraduate programs from Georgetown University’s College of Persevering with Research. These college students pay a charge of $32 per credit score, which suggests a three-credit course will price $96.

To audit a course, there have to be out there house and the teacher of report should approve the enrollment.

10. Florida

The Florida faculty system waives utility, tuition and pupil charges for these age 60 and above, however faculties will award no credit score and can grant admission on a space-available foundation. Verify to see whether or not your chosen faculty covers on-line programs in addition to in-person ones.

Enjoyable truth: Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Society has the biggest grownup persevering with training program within the U.S. It even has its personal auditorium on campus to assist serve FAU’s 30,000 new registrants annually.

11. Georgia

Georgia residents age 62 and above could take lessons on a space-available foundation for “little or no price” on the state’s public colleges.

Seniors could select to take lessons for credit score or persevering with training, however they need to apply by way of the common admissions course of at their faculty of alternative. Many basic training programs are provided on-line.

12. Hawaii

The Senior Citizen Visitor Program on the College of Hawaii and state neighborhood faculties permits senior residents age 60 and as much as attend as much as two programs per semester freed from cost. Seniors who’ve been residents of Hawaii for a minimum of one 12 months could enroll in in-person, hybrid or on-line programs for no price. It’s really useful however not required for college students to be vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19. College students should display tuberculosis (TB) clearance by offering take a look at outcomes or a TB danger evaluation kind signed by a licensed U.S. well being care supplier.

Faculties is not going to award credit score nor will they hold everlasting data of scholars’ class historical past.

13. Idaho

Applications in Idaho differ primarily based on establishment, however some colleges supply good offers. The College of Southern Idaho affords free tuition for decrease division programs for college students aged 60 and older, along with different advantages. The school has on-line and in-person programs.

At Boise State University, Idaho residents who’re a minimum of 65 years previous can audit lessons on a space-available foundation free of charge apart from relevant particular course charges. BSU affords on-line programs in addition to in-person ones.

14. Illinois

Upon admission, senior residents age 65 and up who meet earnings necessities can attend common credit score programs at Illinois public institutions free of charge. Lab, pupil and different charges nonetheless apply. Every establishment may have steering on registering for on-line or in-person lessons.

15. Indiana

Indiana University affords applications that enable retired residents age 60 and older to take as much as 9 credit score hours per semester and pay simply 50% of in-state tuition charges. Programs are in particular person.

16. Iowa

Non-public establishment Simpson College in Indianola permits individuals 65 and older to take one noncredit class free of charge per semester. Programs are open on a space-available foundation and don’t embrace lab programs. On-line programs could also be out there.

17. Kansas

Tuition and charges are waived for students age 65 and older taking lessons on a space-available foundation. Residents have to be admitted to a state-supported faculty to reap the benefits of this low cost. Every faculty can even present data on in-person versus on-line programs.

The registration course of varies: The University of Kansas and Wichita State University, for instance, require senior auditors to use for admission. On-line or in-person programs could also be provided.

18. Kentucky

Tuition and charges are waived for students age 65 and older taking lessons on a space-available foundation. Residents have to be admitted to a state-supported faculty to reap the benefits of this low cost. Every faculty can even present data on in-person versus on-line programs.

19. Louisiana

College students age 65 and up attending Louisiana state schools obtain free tuition and 50% off books and supplies on the campus pupil bookstore. Verify with every faculty to see if on-line programs are included.

20. Maine

Senior residents 65 and up could attend undergraduate lessons as degree-seeking or audit college students within the University of Maine System free of charge, topic to house availability.

Every faculty inside the system can present data on the kinds of programs lined (i.e., on-line, in-person, hybrid).

21. Maryland

Any pupil within the University of Maryland System who is retired and over the age of 60 could have tuition waived for as much as three programs per semester, even for degree-granting applications. On-line programs can be found in addition to face-to-face choices.

On-line programs can be found in addition to face-to-face choices.

22. Massachusetts

Residents age 60 or older can take a minimum of three credit per semester at any state-supported faculty in Massachusetts and receive free tuition.

Every location has data on what on-line programs are provided.

23. Michigan

Alternatives for seniors in Michigan differ by establishment.

At Michigan Tech, for instance, college students 60 and older can have tuition waived for as much as two programs per semester. Seniors should apply by way of the admissions workplace.

Western Michigan University invitations seniors 62 and older to register for one class per semester tuition-free, which can embrace on-line lessons.

At Wayne State University in Detroit, seniors 60 and up obtain a 75% low cost on tuition however should pay registration and associated charges. Wayne State affords some on-line programs.

24. Minnesota

Minnesota waives tuition for senior residents 62 and older, however charges and on-line choices could differ by faculty. On the University of Minnesota, seniors pay a $10 charge per credit score, however they will audit free of charge.

25. Mississippi

There’s no statewide profit in Mississippi, however some colleges have applications for seniors. 

Mississippi State University gives a waiver to residents age 60 or older for lessons provided on the Starkville or Meridian campuses or by the Middle for Distance Schooling. Seniors are restricted to 6 semester hours per semester and a most of 18 credit score hours per calendar 12 months, the place house is obtainable. MSU affords on-line programs in addition to conventional in-person ones.

The University of Mississippi’s Workplace of Skilled Improvement and Lifelong Studying permits seniors 65 and older to take one class free of charge per semester (as much as 4 hours) at any UM campus.

26. Missouri

Missouri residents age 65 and older are exempt from paying tuition at state-supported institutions for lessons attended on a noncredit foundation. Faculties could restrict the variety of college students who obtain the tutoring profit primarily based on house availability. On-line lessons are provided along with in-person ones.

27. Montana

The Montana University System affords a tuition waiver for in-state residents 65 or older. Campus and registration charges should not waived. Select from on-line or in-person lessons.

28. Nebraska

Chadron State College permits adults 65 and as much as audit one course per semester free of charge. The school affords lessons on-line and on campus.

29. Nevada

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas permits seniors 62 and as much as take autumn and spring programs freed from cost. They pay 50% tuition for summer season lessons. Lab and different course charges should not lined. On-line programs could also be provided.

30. New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire affords residents 65 and older free tuition for 2 credit-bearing lessons per tutorial 12 months on a space-available foundation, as long as they’re not enrolled in a level program. Programs are provided on-line or in particular person.

31. New Jersey

Rutgers University permits retired New Jersey residents 62 and older to audit programs free of charge within the spring and fall semesters at its Camden, New Brunswick and Newark campuses, house allowing. Present pointers enable senior residents to audit in-person or on-line lessons if they’ve been absolutely vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19.

32. New Mexico

New Mexico affords reduced tuition of simply $5 per credit score hour to state residents 65 and older. On-line programs can be found.

For-credit lessons are eligible in addition to auditing; senior residents can take not more than 10 credit score hours per semester. This system is obtainable on a space-available foundation, and college students are liable for paying any further course charges.

33. New York

Many faculties supply free or lowered tuition for senior residents. Queens College permits residents 60 and as much as audit any course on a space-available foundation after finishing a Senior Citizen Auditor Software and paying $80 per semester. Up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations are required to enroll.

At SUNY Purchase, New York state residents 60 and older can enroll tuition-free in a most of two credit-bearing, on-campus programs through which house is obtainable. They pay a $50 audit charge, $20 ID processing charge and any course charges. In-person, on-line and hybrid programs can be found, and COVID-19 vaccinations are required for anybody approaching campus.

34. North Carolina

Tuition and registration charges are waived for residents 65 or older attending North Carolina community colleges. Senior residents can take as much as six credit score hours per semester free of charge. Audit choices could also be out there at different colleges.

On the University of North Carolina Wilmington, for instance, senior residents could audit lessons free of charge after getting the teacher’s permission and submitting an utility. Lab, studio, efficiency, distance training, unbiased research, internship and particular subject programs are excluded. On-line programs can be found for individuals who want them.

35. North Dakota

Applications differ by establishment in North Dakota. At Bismarck State, for instance, senior residents 65 and older can audit one course tuition-free per semester on a space-available foundation. They’re nonetheless liable for different course charges. Some on-line programs can be found.

36. Ohio

Ohio residents a minimum of 60 years previous could attend class at any state faculty free of charge. Senior-citizen college students don’t obtain credit score and may register solely on a space-available foundation. They’re nonetheless liable for particular assessments, akin to lab charges, that will apply.

Many Ohio state faculties supply on-line programs, in addition to in-person and hybrid.

37. Oklahoma

Oklahoma state faculties and universities waive tuition and fees for senior residents 65 and older who want to audit lessons on a space-available foundation.

38. Oregon

Oregon State University permits senior residents a minimum of 65 years previous to audit lessons free of charge at a most of eight credit score hours per semester.

The University of Oregon additionally waives charges for seniors 65 and older auditing lessons on a space-available foundation.

On-line course choices could also be provided relying on availability.

39. Pennsylvania

Clarion University affords a tuition waiver for residents 62 and as much as audit lessons. At Bloomsburg University, it’s good to be solely 60 to take tuition-free lessons on a space-available foundation.

There could be further advantages on the neighborhood faculty degree: Bucks County Community College, for instance, waives for-credit course tuition for seniors 65 and up as long as they register after college students who’re paying full tuition. Many programs are provided on-line, although some in-person and hybrid choices can be found.

40. Rhode Island

Tuition waivers could be requested from residents over 60 on the Community College of Rhode Island. Seats are granted when there’s house out there.

All degree-seeking senior college students should fill out a FAFSA. Additionally they should submit a Senior Residents Means Take a look at to confirm they’ve restricted earnings.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend in-person lessons. There are additionally on-line lessons.

41. South Carolina

Residents 60 and above can attend lessons at state colleges on a credit score or noncredit foundation, pending house out there, free of charge. The college should grant admission through its regular procedures.

Know-how, lab and different charges are the duty of the coed. Many South Carolina neighborhood faculties supply on-line programs for these .

42. South Dakota

Residents 65 and older can attend public universities in South Dakota at 55% of the conventional price of tuition for undergraduate or graduate in-person programs on a principal college campus.

adults ought to apply by way of the common admissions system, and the college will robotically grant the low cost upon admission. Scholar charges should not waived.

Contact your chosen college to see whether or not on-line programs are provided.

43. Tennessee

The University of Tennessee permits senior residents to enroll in undergraduate or graduate programs for $7 per credit score hour with a most charge of $70.

College students will nonetheless pay utility and course charges. Senior residents can select between on-line programs and in-person ones.

44. Texas

A senior citizen age 65 or older can take as much as six tuition-free credit score hours on the University of Texas at Austin.

On the University of Texas at Dallas and Lone Star College, undergrad college students 65 and older should preserve a 2.0 cumulative GPA to obtain a tuition waiver for as much as six credit score hours per semester.

Verify with every particular person college to see which on-line and in-person lessons can be found for enrollment.

45. Utah

Utah residents age 62 and up could enroll tuition-free at a state institution, house allowing; a quarterly registration charge is required.

On the University of Utah, for instance, seniors can audit most lessons on a space-available foundation and solely should pay a charge of $25 per semester, plus any particular charges required. Name to see whether or not on-line lessons are included.

46. Vermont

Vermonters over the age of 65 can audit one class per semester tuition-free on a space-available foundation within the Vermont State College System. College students can take further lessons at a 50% low cost of the tutoring charge, both in particular person or on-line.

They’ll nonetheless should pay administration and course charges for all lessons.

47. Virginia

Below the amended phrases of the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, Virginia residents over 60 years previous who earn a taxable earnings of lower than $23,850 yearly can audit as much as three programs per time period free of charge on a space-available foundation at any public establishment, both in particular person or on-line.

48. Washington

Establishments in Washington are required to partially or absolutely waive tuition charges for residents age 60 or older who’re enrolled for credit score on a space-available foundation. Nominal charges could apply to college students auditing programs.

Some colleges restrict senior residents to a sure variety of lessons or credit; for instance, Washington State University caps the waiver at six credit for the autumn and spring semesters. On-line applications can be found.

49. West Virginia

Senior residents 65 and older at West Virginia University in search of faculty credit score should use the common admissions kind. These wishing to be non-degree college students pay simply $5 to use. WVU affords lessons on-line or in particular person.

50. Wisconsin

Adults 60 and up could audit lessons on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus or at UW-Madison On-line free of charge, the place house is obtainable.

51. Wyoming

At Laramie County Community College, senior residents 60 and older pay solely 20% of the resident tuition charge  per credit score hour, although they nonetheless must pay another course or on-line charges.

Northwest College affords adults 60 and older free tuition as much as six credit score hours per semester for on-site and on-line programs, in addition to free entry to most faculty social, cultural and athletic occasions.

One other Persevering with Schooling Possibility

Greater than 100 colleges and universities across the nation supply one other persevering with training program for senior residents: enrichment programs by way of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI).

Costs differ relying upon the establishment. Duke University, for instance, has a $50 annual membership charge after which expenses $50 to $175 per class. Senior residents can select to take lessons on-line or in particular person.

OLLI lessons don’t rely towards a level, however for those who’re on the lookout for private improvement alternatives amongst older adults, these programs can present alternatives that blend within the campus expertise, too.

Contributor Catherine Hiles up to date this put up for 2023.