Free College Courses For Senior Citizens In All 50 States
Were living longer than ever before, and doing so in better health. So what can you do when you retire and want to keep your mind sharp or need to gain additional skills to stay competitive at work?
For many, the answer is to go back to school. But tuition can be prohibitively expensive.
At the same time, schools want their classrooms to be full of engaged students, regardless of age. In the interest of continuing education, many colleges and universities offer reduced or free college tuition to senior citizens .
In fact, we found at least one option in every state.
Does A Hope Scholarship Pay For Summer Classes
Rising college tuition is pricing some students out of a college education however, some students in Georgia may be able to attend an in-state college for free through the help of supplemental grants and the HOPE scholarship, which was established in 1993 with proceeds from the state’s lottery. The scholarship pays a set amount per credit hour depending on the school attended, and supplemental grants can make up the cost the scholarship does not cover.
Be a Georgia resident. Students who have lived in the state for 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of college classes are considered residents. Proof of residency is required, such as an apartment lease.
Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA while in high school. Students can also enroll in college courses and earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in 30 semester hours to receive the HOPE scholarship retroactively, regardless of high school graduation status. Scholarship funds will be paid for the 30 semester hours after they have been completed.
Graduate from an accredited high school or home-school program. An approved regional accrediting organization must accredit high school and home-school programs both within and outside the state of Georgia. Alternatively, score in the 85th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT if you’ve earned a GED or graduated from an unaccredited high school or home-school program.
Enroll in a degree program at an eligible Georgia college or university.
Another Continuing Education Option
More than 100 colleges and universities around the country offer another continuing education program for senior citizens: enrichment courses through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute .
Prices vary depending upon the institution. Duke University, for example, has a $45 annual membership fee, and then charges $25 to $150 per class.
OLLI classes dont count toward a degree, but if youre looking for personal development opportunities among older adults, these courses can provide opportunities that mix in the campus experience, too.
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Can Ga Residents 62 And Older Attend College For Free
ATLANTA Georgia residents age 62 and older can attend any public college or university in the state for free, thanks to a program through the state’s university system.
The program works on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, hundreds of seniors are still able to take advantage of it every year.
Sixty-nine-year-old Pat Benton is one of them.
I was anxious. Will I find a classroom?” she said, recalling her first-day jitters.”How will the students interact? What will the instructors see when they see a little, old, gray-haired lady sitting in the classroom?
For Benton, pursuing higher education was something she’d always wanted to do.
I graduated in 69 from high school,” the Georgia native explained. “I always had in the back of my mind that I wanted to have a degree. I only went one yearwith life, with a child and everything. I was married for almost 40 years, my husband is deceased. And I was like, okay, I need to find out what I want to do. Because all those years I’ve been doing for other people.
Benton decided to start taking hotel management and tourism courses at Gwinnett Technical College.
Her tuition was 100% covered by the 62 and Older Program.
I was afraid because I’m an older person coming into this arena, like how will I fit in?” Benton said. “But it was so easy. The students were all like, ‘oh, Ms. B, you inspire us that youre doing this!’ And that made me feel good. I believe that you can always learn something, always.
Or Older In Georgiaa Earn Your Uga Degree For Free
Monica Kaufman Pearson graduated from the University of Georgia today with a masters degree from Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Even though she is a very accomplished journalist with many years of experience at WSB-TV in Atlanta, she still found it important to continue her education. Any resident of Georgia over the age of 62 can earn a UGA degree for free, just like Monica Kaufman Pearson, thanks to a program from the University System of Georgia . The USG tuition assistance program for students in GA over the age of 62 includes online classes at the University of Georgia. Those who qualify are encouraged to apply for an undergrad or graduate degree at UGA online or on campus.
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Person 62 Years Of Age Or Older
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia provides for the admission and registration of persons 62 years of age or older. Individuals in this category are eligible to register for classes on a space available basis without payment of tuition and mandatory fees.
Individuals in this category must:
- Meet all University System of Georgia and UGA admission requirements, including application fees, if any.
- Be residents of Georgia.
- Be 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
- A birth certificate or other comparable official documentation of age must be presented to the Office of the Registrar to determine eligibility.
- May enroll in classes on a space available basis without payment of tuition and mandatory fees.
- Meet all USG, UGA, and legislated degree requirements such as Major Area Exam and History and Constitution instruction or exams if degree seeking.
Individuals in this category may not enroll in Dental, Medical, Veterinary, or Law Schools under the provisions of this policy. Professional or continuing education courses are also not covered by this policy.
For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar at 706-542-4040 or .
Programs At Specific Colleges
As you can see from the list above, only about half the states in the country have a statewide law or program guaranteeing free or discounted classes for seniors. However, every state even ones that dont have this kind of law has at least one college or university where senior citizens can take classes at a reduced cost. On top of that, some colleges in states that do have a statewide program offer discounts above and beyond those required by law.
Heres an overview of colleges across the country that provide special deals for seniors.
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Penn State At University Park
Penn States GO-60 program is an opportunity for tuition-free learning. It is aimed at retired adults age 60 and above who are residents of Pennsylvania and employed no more than 20 hours per week.
The on-campus program currently is paused because of the pandemic, but keep your eye on this valuable resource and watch for it to resume.
Disclosure: The information you read here is always objective. However, we sometimes receive compensation when you click links within our stories.
Colleges That Offer Free Tuition For Seniors
Seniors enjoy discounts for just about everything. Did you know that can even include the cost of higher education?
Some schools think its a smart idea. Whether through a state-supported program or school-based initiatives, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and earn credit toward a degree without the burden of crippling student loans.
The following colleges currently offer tuition-free, credit-bearing courses for students in their golden years. Admission to classes is likely to depend on whether space is available. Consider this your chance to advance a career, change direction or finish a degree you started many moons ago.
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Persons Aged 62 Or Over
Pursuant to the provisions of the Georgia Constitution, the USG establishes the following rules with respect to enrollment of persons 62 years of age or older in USG programs. To be eligible for enrollment under this provision such persons:
Some Seniors Take Advantage Of Free College Tuition
Judith Carson, 70, is working on her masters degree in poetry.
Some of the people call me Aunt Judith now, she says.
Carson is part of a program at Georgia State University called GSU-62. Students who are at least 62 years old can qualify for free tuition.
The kids are accepting Im accepting to them, she says. We each have something to offer the other.
GSU Vice President and Director of Undergraduate Admissions Scott Burke says the first step is getting in.
You do have to apply to the university and be accepted as one of our special student populations, Burke says. You have to meet the admissions requirements.
Thats true for every Georgia public college. All offer similar programs.
About 200 seniors took advantage of the free tuition at Georgia State this fall. Thats a fraction of the universitys total population of 32,000. But Burke says the program is growing.
He says students of all ages benefit from being in class together.
Thats one of the great things about being at an institution like Georgia State is the diversity, the diversity of age, where our students come from, their racial and ethnic backgrounds, he says. I think it really adds something unique to the classroom.
Students still have to pay for some premium programs, like medical and law courses. The program just covers tuition, not books or other fees.
Burke admits theres a technology learning curve for most students. But GSU offers free classes to help them catch up.
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Senior Citizens Can Go To College For Free In Georgia
Jul 25, 2018 | Featured, News |
So what can you do when you retire and want to keep your mind sharp or need to gain additional skills to stay competitive at work? For many, the answer is to go back to school! Taking classes for fun or to work on a degree, college is for free if you are 62 and older and live in the state of Georgia.
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia allows anyone 62 and older to sit in on classes where there is space available in almost all of the 30 Georgias colleges and universities for free. Seniors have discovered they can audit or take classes for credit and not have to take the exams or earn a grade or they can take classes and work toward getting a degree. Opportunities are available for seniors to take classes that are challenging or fun. Seniors who are retired, or seniors who are thinking of retiring, can use their free time to learn something new. Studies have shown that as people age, learning something new keeps brains active and often wards off signs of Alzheimers and dementia.
A Senior Citizen Guide for College at www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com/2010/07/georgia.html provides a comprehensive list of Georgia colleges and universities providing reduced or free tuition for seniors over 62. Its easy to contact the undergraduate admissions office at the Georgia college of your choice to find out how to register for classes. Admission offices will provide all of the information on registration and classes available.
Tuition Waivers By State
To find out whether your home state is one of more than 20 states mandating free or discounted college tuition for senior citizens, do a search for your state and college tuition for senior citizens. You can also contact your state university system, county or state Department of Aging.
There is no state-mandated waiver of tuition in Arizona. However, encourage seniors to continue their education by offering a 50% reduction in current county resident tuition, with credit hour classes on a space-available basis.
San Francisco State University offers an ElderCollege program for students 55 and older that lets students sit in on regular university classes for $55 per semester. Follow the link for a course registration code. And thrifty California residents should check out this deal: California State University campuses offer state residents 60 and older enrollment in any course for $2.
If you are a Connecticut resident who is 62 years of age or older, your tuition is waived at UConn or CSU. That includes degree programs as well as audited classes.
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Early Childhood Care And Education
The Early Childhood Care and Education program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as limited general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers and Head Start.
Does Michaels Have Senior Discount
SENIOR DISCOUNT. Benefits: Seniors can enjoy an additional 10% Off Entire Purchase Including Sale Items. This is now easier than ever because you can sync your senior status to your Michaels Rewards account and your discount will be automatically applied to in store and online purchases moving forward!
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Filling Out The Fafsa
Before applying for any state-based financial aid, Georgia residents must first fill out and submit the Free Application For Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is required for all students seeking grants, scholarships or loans. The information students supply on their FAFSA application is used to determine their Expected Family Contribution, and to determine the levels of financial aid for which they are qualified. The FAFSA is the first step along the path to financial aid for college, and should be a priority of all college-bound students.
Fund Your Education With Free Grant Money
Very few college-bound students can afford to pay all of their tuition costs entirely out of pocket. Even those students who have spent years diligently building a college fund may find that their savings fall far short of the mark when it comes time to apply to college. Fortunately, there are a wide range of financial aid opportunities specifically designed to help students fill the gaps in their college fund. These programs run the gamut from grants to scholarships to student loans. Without the availability of these financial aid programs, many students would be left struggling to meet the ever rising costs of a college education.
Like many states throughout the country, Georgia provides a number of grants to help its resident students find the additional funding they need to cover the cost of their college education. These grants are endorsed and funded by the Georgia state legislature, and are designed to offer valuable financial assistance to college-bound students in the Empire State of the South.
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For Example You May Need To Be A Doctoral Student Or Already Have One Year Of College In Finland Is Free For Students Hailing From The European Union
⺠georgia senior citizen tuition waiver. Information for senior citizens going back to college. Check your student account fee balance in mynova (go to schedule of classes, select term, and click census. For example, you may need to be a doctoral student or already have one year of college in finland is free for students hailing from the european union. A student can spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to attend college, offset with grants and scholarships. ⺠free college for seniors online. Can seniors go to college for free? However, senior citizens who apply for free tuition after registering and paying for a class are not eligible for a refund for that class. Can i afford to go back to school? You have to go through the regular enrollment application process and be admitted in order to qualify. Ready to go back to school? Regardless of the other entry conditions, you may not be refused access to training or education in another eu. In this post, we’ll be talking about students who.
Whether It’s To Complete A Degree Gain New Knowledge Or Just For Fun Retirees Can Collect Their Books And Get On To School In A Most Inexpensive Way
As a retiree, youre already a bona-fide graduate of the school of hard knocks your decades of full-time employment. Theres still a lot to learn, however, whether your goal is pursuing a second act in your career, lifelong learning to keep your brain sharp or to finally complete that long sought-after master’s.
Across the country, retirees can take advantage of free college courses for older residents at various public and private institutions. Some programs allow elders as young as 55 to participate.
Most free-tuition programs make older students wait until registration for classes has closed and the add-drop period has ended. In other words, paying students generally get first priority, and youll only be able to enroll on a space-available basis. In most cases, you have to go through the normal admissions process and be accepted at the college or university before you can enroll in individual classes. And while tuition may be waived, you may encounter fees to apply or register or to use labs, campus gyms, or other resources tied to a particular class. Youll also have to pay for books and other course materials.
Many free-for-retirees programs only allow you to audit classes, meaning you wont get college credit. That might be right up your alley, though. Also note that during the pandemic, some colleges may still be doing remote classes. Make sure you’re geared up for remote learning.
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