Tuition-Free Classes for Boomers
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Deciding to go to college later in life can be a little bit easier, if you live in a place where the state or university may waive your tuition.
The American Council of Education found that about 60 percent of accredited degree-granting educational institutions offer tuition waivers for older adults, according to its November 2008 survey.
For example, the University of Delaware offers tuition-free classes for credit if students are 60 or older (although fees are still charged). The University of Arkansas is doing the same.
Some states have free tuition programs, too, although you need to check with your state because some have changed their plans (North Carolina, for example, ended its tuition waiver policy last year).
Alabama’s Senior Adults Scholarship Program offers free tuition to those aged 60 and over who meet admission requirements to attend public two-year colleges in the state.
FinAid.org reports that these states offer tuition waivers at public institutions: Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
There is a catch – it often depends on which school, courses and degree program you are pursuing and if there’s space available for a non-paying student.
It’s also interesting to see some states and organizations trying to make it easier for older students to learn about higher education.
Here are a couple of relatively new efforts to keep in mind:
- Oregon’s Adult Learner Web site offers resources about financial aid and a toll-free number for folks to call with questions.
- Today’s GI Bill also provides the scoop on benefits and success stories of veterans who have earned their degrees.
Let us know if you qualify for any of the free tuition programs, and how it’s helping your wallet. Happy tuition-free learning!
-Lori Johnston
Doug@CheapScholar.org said,
February 2, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
I work at a private University in the midwest and we offer almost free tuition for students over the age of 60. It is called the Lifetime Learner program and students pay $150 a semester and they can take as many classes as they want. We have had a number of “seasoned” students finish their degrees very inexpensively using this program.
Get a Degree Without the Debt | Seniors For Living said,
March 23, 2010 @ 7:34 am
[...] children, jobs, travel and other life events pushed that dream back even further. But guess what? If you’re 60 or older, now may be the perfect time to take classes at a university near you, says College Surfing.com’s Lori [...]