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Continuing Education Opportunities for Seniors in Each State

Jan 17, 2022 11:06:26 AM · 17

Older adults often face boredom with the extra time on their hands after retirement. Continuing education is a great way to fill time, activate the brain, and develop new interests or hobbies. Some websites provide online courses to seniors, and many colleges throughout the United States offer affordable or free courses to seniors.

Massive Open Online Courses

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) allow schools and organizations to offer free online courses, available for anyone to enroll. There are more than three thousand MOOCs accessible to millions of people worldwide, providing education that is the same or better quality than in-person courses held on college campuses. MOOCs include a wide range of course subjects such as business, computer science, engineering, math, philosophy, law, literature, science, data analysis, architecture, food nutrition, and more.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes

The Bernard Osher Foundation strives to improve quality of life through support for higher education and currently supports 125 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) programs at universities throughout the United States. Each OLLI program offers various non-credit courses to anyone over the age of 50. To find an OLLI program, visit the List of Institutes page.

Universities that Offer Free or Low-Cost Courses to Seniors

Alabama

The state of Alabama offers seniors (age 60+) free tuition for two-year programs at any in-state community college, as long as they meet admission requirements. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as admission requirements vary.

Alaska

The University of Alaska waives tuition for senior residents (age 65+) who receive full social security benefits. To enroll, seniors must complete a tuition waiver form, and they must wait to register until the first day of classes to ensure there is available space. Waived tuition costs for seniors exclude additional charges such as lab fees, textbooks, and health center fees.

Arizona

All ten Maricopa Community College campuses offer seniors (age 65+) tuition at a discounted rate of 50%. Seniors must register for classes between the first and second day of classes to ensure available space. Eligible seniors must follow the standard enrollment procedure by submitting an admissions application.

Arkansas

The University of Arkansas offers free tuition to Arkansas residents (age 60+). Enrollment is dependent on the space availability of classes. Seniors can complete the admissions application and the Senior Citizen Tuition Fee Waiver form online or by visiting the Office of Admissions in Silas H. Hunt Hall.

California

California residents (age 60+) can enroll in courses at California State University with all tuition fees waived and reduced campus fees. Seniors can apply online, and once admitted, can submit a Student Fee Waiver Request - Over 60 Program to the Student Business Services department.

Colorado

Seniors (age 55+) are eligible to attend classes based on availability at Colorado State University. However, senior visitors do not receive credit for attending class but receive grades for participation, assignments, and exams. Another option for seniors is to enroll in up to two classes per semester at the University of Colorado Denver on a no-credit basis when space is available.

Connecticut

Connecticut residents (age 62+) may enroll in college courses for free at all Connecticut state colleges on a space-available basis. However, seniors must still pay all other fees. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Delaware

Senior residents (age 60+) can enroll at The University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical and Community College for free. At the University of Delaware, seniors may be eligible to enroll in certain graduate degrees for free. However, seniors must pay for all student fees and textbooks.

Florida

Florida residents (age 60+) can audit any Florida school and receive a waived application, tuition, and student fees. However, admitted seniors must register for classes on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Georgia

Georgia residents (age 62+) can receive free tuition on a space-available basis at all public state colleges. Seniors must apply through the standard admissions process at each school listed below.

Hawaii

The University of Hawaii and Hawaii state community colleges allow senior residents (age 60+) to attend non-credit courses for free under the Senior Citizen Visitor Program. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only online courses are available to seniors. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Idaho

The College of Southern Idaho offers free tuition to seniors (age 60 and older) for lower-division courses. To apply, contact the Office on Aging on the CSI campus. Also, Boise State University allows seniors (age 65+) to apply for admittance and audit classes on a space-available basis.

Illinois

All Illinois public colleges allow senior residents (age 65+) to attend credit courses for free upon admission. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Indiana

Indiana University's Senior Citizen Fee Remission program allows seniors (age 60+) to take up to nine credits per semester at a discounted tuition rate of 50%. Seniors must complete the standard application and fill out the Senior Citizen Fee Remission Request Form to apply for admissions.

Iowa

Iowa residents (age 65+) can take one non-credit class per semester for free at Simpson College. Seniors can also take classes for credit at the current audit amount per credit, which is $230 per credit. Seniors must enroll in courses on a space-available basis, not including lab courses.

Kansas

Kansas residents (age 60+) can audit courses at state and community colleges for free on a space-available basis. The registration process varies by school, so visit the individual schools' websites listed below.

Kentucky

Senior residents (age 65+) taking classes at any Kentucky state-supported college receive waived tuition and student fees. Seniors must be admitted and register for courses on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Louisiana

Senior residents (age 55+) can take classes for free at all Louisiana state schools. Seniors will also receive 50% off books and class materials at the campus student bookstore. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Maine

Senior residents (age 65+) can attend undergraduate classes for free at any University of Maine school on a space-available basis. Seniors must apply for admission on the University of Maine System website.

Maryland

Senior residents (age 60+) receive waived tuition at any University of Maryland school, even for degree-granting programs. To apply, visit the University of Maryland System website.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts residents (age 60+) can take up to three credits per semester at any state-supported college. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Michigan

At Michigan Technological University, seniors (age 60+) can receive waived tuition for up to two courses per semester. Seniors must apply through the admissions office. At Western Michigan University, seniors (age 62 and older) can take one class per semester for free. To apply, seniors must submit the SCOPE application online. At Wayne State University, seniors (age 60 and older) can apply online to receive a 75% discount on tuition but must pay registration and student fees.

Minnesota

The University of Minnesota's Senior Citizen Education Program offers senior residents (age 62+) the opportunity to take courses for $10 per credit or audit courses for free. To apply as a degree-seeking senior citizen, visit the Office of Admissions for further instructions.

Mississippi

The Mississippi State University's Starkville and Meridian campuses offer senior residents (age 60+) waived tuition for up to eighteen credits per calendar year on a space-available basis. Also, seniors can take one class per semester at any University of Mississippi campus.

Missouri

Senior residents (age 65+) are exempt from paying tuition for non-credit classes at any state-supported colleges. However, the tuition benefit may be limited based on space availability, depending on the school. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Montana

All colleges within the Montana University System offer free tuition to senior residents (age 65+). However, seniors must still pay campus and registration fees. Visit the individual schools' websites listed below for application and enrollment details.

Nebraska

Nebraska residents (age 65+) can audit one class per semester at Chadron State College for free. Seniors can apply and submit the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver form online.

Nevada

Senior residents (age 62+) can enroll in courses at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for free during the fall and spring semesters and 50% tuition for summer classes. Seniors are still responsible for paying for textbooks, course materials, and lab fees. For more information, seniors can contact the Division of Educational Outreach at 702-895-4469.

New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire offers senior residents (age 65+) free tuition for two classes per year on a space-available basis. To enroll, apply online and submit the Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Form.

New Jersey

New Jersey senior residents (age 62+) can audit classes for free during the fall and spring semesters at all Rutgers University campuses. Seniors must submit proof of their COVID-19 vaccination to enroll in in-person classes or audit virtual classes. To register, seniors must complete the online application for the Camden, New Brunswick, or Newark campuses.

New Mexico

New Mexico offers reduced tuition of $5 per credit to senior residents (age 65+) at all state-supported schools on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

New York

Many New York schools offer free or reduced tuition for senior residents (age 60+) on a space-available basis. For more information regarding qualifying schools and their application processes, visit the New York Senior Citizen Guide for College.

North Carolina

All North Carolina community colleges offer waived tuition and registration fees to senior residents (age 65+) on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

North Dakota

Senior residents (age 65+) can attend any state college undergraduate class for free on a space-available basis. Seniors are responsible for paying for textbooks and other course materials. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Ohio

Senior residents (age 60+) of Ohio can attend all state-supported colleges for free. Senior students do not receive credit and enroll in classes on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma senior residents (age 65+) can attend all state-supported colleges and audit classes on a space-available basis. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Oregon

Senior residents (age 65+) can audit classes for free, on a space-available basis, at Oregon State University and The University of Oregon. Seniors must submit the non-degree admissions application and pay an enrollment application fee at Oregon State University before registering for up to eight credits per semester. At the University of Oregon, seniors must fill out the Senior Citizen Auditor Registration Form to enroll in non-credit courses.

Pennsylvania

Bloomsburg University offers waived tuition to senior residents (age 60+) on a space-available basis by completing the online non-degree application. Seniors (age 62+) can also audit classes at Clarion University by submitting the Quick Admit Form.

Rhode Island

The Community College of Rhode Island allows senior residents (age 60+) to attend classes on a space-available basis. To apply, seniors must fill out the Senior Citizen Waiver Form, complete a Senior Citizen Means test, and submit a FAFSA.

South Carolina

Senior residents (age 60+) can enroll in classes on a credit or non-credit basis for free at all South Carolina state-supported schools. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

South Dakota

All South Dakota public colleges offer senior residents (age 65+) discounted tuition of 55% of the original cost, not including student fees. Visit the individual schools' websites listed below for application and enrollment details.

Tennessee

Senior residents (age 65+) may enroll in for-credit courses at Tennessee state schools and community colleges for free, with the exception of application and course fees. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Texas

The University of Texas at Austin allows senior residents (age 65+) to take up to six credits per semester, tuition-free. To apply, contact the Student Accounts Receivable by phone (512-475-7777) or email (tuition@austin.utexas.edu). At the University of Texas at Dallas and Lone Star College, seniors can receive a tuition waiver for up to six credits, as long as they maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Seniors can apply to the University of Texas at Dallas by contacting the Office of Financial Aid by phone (972-883-2941). At Lone Star College, seniors must Exemption and Waiver Acknowledgement Agreement form to enroll in classes.

Utah

Senior residents (age 62+) can enroll in classes at Utah state schools on a space-available basis by paying the $25 registration fee per semester. Visit the individual schools' websites listed below for application and enrollment details.

Vermont

The four schools within the Vermont State College system allow senior residents (age 65+) to audit one class per semester for free on a space-available basis but still pay administration and course fees. Seniors can take additional courses at a 50% discounted tuition rate. Follow the links below for information on registering for classes at each college.

Virginia

Senior residents (age 60+) who earn a taxable income of less than $23,850 annually can audit up to three courses per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis at any Vermont public college. For application details, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Washington

Washington state-supported colleges must partially or fully waive tuition for senior residents (age 60+) who choose to enroll in or audit courses on a space-available basis. Depending on the school, seniors may be limited to a certain number of credits per semester. Visit the individual schools' websites listed below for application and enrollment details.

West Virginia

Some West Virginia colleges offer senior residents waived or discounted tuition for non-degree-seeking students. For application information, visit the individual schools' websites listed below, as they may vary.

Wisconsin

Senior residents (age 60+) can audit classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for free, where space is available. Seniors must apply for admissions using the online student application. Seniors (age 62+) can also apply online to audit undergraduate classes or enroll in for-credit graduate courses at a 50% discounted tuition rate at Marquette University.

Wyoming

Senior residents (age 65+) can enroll in courses at the University of Wyoming for free on a space-available basis. To apply as a non-degree seeking student, seniors must submit proof of age and residency to the admissions office.