Michigan

You’ll have to do some legwork to see if the public college or university you want to attend as a Michigan state resident offers free or reduced tuition for retirees. It’s all over the place in Michigan, the state where I proudly got my undergraduate degree.

Northern Michigan University, for example, offers “full tuition scholarships” to residents 62 and older. (Off-campus and online courses are excluded.) You must follow the application process (fee is waived), and you’ll have to pay for books and course fees.

More examples:

Michigan Tech: Under its senior citizen enrollment, waives tuition and fees for folks 60 and older for as many as two courses per semester.

Central Michigan University: Students 60 and over audit classes for free.

Lake Superior State University: Students 60 and over audit classes for free. However, you must pay for all other fees necessary to attend the class.

Western Michigan University: Free tuition for up to one course per semester for locals 62 and over.

Minnesota

Residents 62 and older can attend courses for credit (or audit them) tuition-free at the University of Minnesota and throughout the Minnesota State Colleges and University system. Activity fees are also waived, but, under the program, these students must pay administrative fees (unless auditing the course) and any materials or service charges tacked onto the courses.

For example, the University of Minnesota allows senior citizens to audit courses for free, but charges $10 per credit if you’re taking the program for college credit (that’s a bargain; costs per credit are $520.50 for other, younger tuition-paying students who are state residents). You’re also responsible for paying for required lab, course and material fees.

Mississippi

Unlike many other states, Mississippi has no statewide law for free (or nearly free) college tuition for seniors. But like other states, including Michigan, you can find some incentives at specific universities and colleges for later-in-life learning.

Through the University of Mississippi Lifelong Learners Program, Ole Miss seniors age 65 and over can enroll tuition-free in one academic course (up to four credits). You’ll attend classes with the young’uns at any University of Mississippi campus. 

Mississippi State University also caters to seniors. State residents age 60 or older can take up to two on-campus classes per semester tuition-free, a combination of no more than 18 credit hours per academic year. Space is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. And as the university points out, “senior citizen students are responsible for paying any course or laboratory fees; distance fees; cost of course materials or textbooks. Credit hours taken in excess of the specified limits of this policy shall be paid by the senior citizen as the actual tuition for those hours.”

In the case of both universities, it’s important to note that seniors must go through the normal application process.

Missouri

Missouri residents age 65 and older are guaranteed under state law a scholarship that includes a tuition waiver to any state college or university. Scholarship awardees do not get college credit for courses taken, and acceptance into a course is on a space-available basis. The school can impose a registration fee and you must go through the application process.

Montana

The Montana State University System — including the University of Montana and Montana State University campuses, as well as community colleges — welcomes  later-in-life learners. Schools within the system grant tuition waivers (or acceptance to the Golden College Program, as the University of Montana calls it) to residents age 65 and older. Only tuition is covered; all other fees are the responsibility of the senior student.

Applications are accepted the third week of the semester after yielding to tuition-paying students, which means you may have three weeks or more worth of catching up to do once accepted into a course.

Nebraska

There’s no statewide program in Nebraska to waive tuition for older students, but you may find free or discounted tuition at individual colleges and universities. For example, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers the Senior Learning Passport Program, which allows individuals 65 and older to attend and “sit-in” on undergraduate courses. The passport can only be used for two classes per semester and is valid for one year. You must get professor permission to attend and this program is not available online. 

Nevada

During the academic year, the University of Nevada Las Vegas offers classes tuition-free to residents 62 or older during the fall and spring semesters on a space-available basis to all Nevada residents 62 years of age or older. Or, you can attend summer term courses and pay 50% of the regular per-credit-hour fees. In all cases, students pay for books, other course-related material, and special fees such as lab fees. 

The University also joins with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to teach seniors various topics. UNLV notes the “OLLI at UNLV program is designed specifically for retired and semi-retired adults who are interested in continuing their education and having the opportunity to meet new and interesting peers.” Past courses include The American Election System, Films of David Lean, Nevada History, and more.

New Hampshire

Residents age 65 and older can take as many as two for-credit courses per academic year tuition-free at the University of New Hampshire. The student is responsible for all other costs for the class, including fees and mandatory class materials. Enrollment is offered on a space-available basis after paying students are registered.

New Jersey

In the Garden State, residents age 65 and older can take regularly scheduled courses tuition-free at the state’s public colleges and universities, provided classroom space permits. The student is responsible for any additional fees. There are several requirements, such as a letter from the registrar’s office, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the application process.

Rutgers, one of Jersey’s state universities, offers its Senior Citizen Audit Program to state residents age 62 or older. You can attend classes on a space-available, non-credit and tuition-free basis. But, these must be classroom-based courses. Online courses don’t fall under the program.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s bid to put retirees into (or back into) college classes isn’t free, but it’s darn cheap. It comes under the guidance of the Senior Citizens Reduced Tuition Act of 1984. Each of the state’s public, post-secondary degree-granting institutions must grant a tuition reduction to those age 65 or older upon request by the student. Some caveats: You must meet course requirements; you can take only up to ten credit hours per semester; enroll in the campus you wish to attend for that college; pay any additional mandatory course fees; and enroll if space is available.

The University of New Mexico also offers a lifelong learning program. There is a low membership fee per semester, but you can be a youngster, only 50+. 

New York

Via state law, Empire State residents 60 and older can audit classes for free, apply for scholarships and grants, or apply for programs and waivers created for them. You can try the Excelsior Scholarship. It helps you get a free college degree at any CUNY (City University of New York) or SUNY (State University of New York) college. You will not get academic credit, and your application may be rejected without if there’s no space. You are also going to pay other fees required.

North Carolina

Good news for retirees eyeing North Carolina as a landing pad for their golden years: State residents 65 and older can, on a space-available basis, audit classes tuition-free at the campuses of the University of North Carolina, as well as the state’s community colleges. Registration fees are waived, too, but there may be an application fee, depending on the college. Want to earn college credit? Residents 65 and older can take as many as six hours of for-credit courses at the state’s community colleges each semester.

North Dakota

Unlike many other states, North Dakota doesn’t have a law granting free or nearly free tuition to its older residents. However, with a little digging, you can find tuition-free programs at some of the state’s schools.

Under its Project 65 policy, North Dakota State University enables people 65 and older to audit one course per semester. Tuition and related mandatory fees are waived. Participants need clearance to audit courses from the academic department teaching the course. Since it’s an audited course, grades and credit are not given.

Bismarck State College, for example, allows state residents 65 and older to take one course per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis. The waiver does not include fees and other mandatory class expenses.

At Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, students 65 and older can audit classroom courses on a space-available basis but must pay for fees and mandatory class materials. There may be other colleges and universities in North Dakota that offer cheap or free tuition for seniors, so take some time and look around. It could pay off. 

Ohio

All of Ohio’s public universities and colleges, including community colleges, allow residents age 60 and older to audit courses tuition-free — if space is available. Instructors of individual courses must approve your application, and, you are also responsible for any course fees, such as lab fees and other mandatory course materials.

State law permits schools to forbid enrollment in certain classes “in which physical demands upon students are inappropriate for imposition upon persons 60 years of age or older.” (That wouldn’t rule out the physical-education courses I took in college — Bowling, Ping-Pong and Pool.)

Oklahoma

Oklahomans age 65 and older can audit classes (meaning you receive no class credit) at the state’s public colleges and universities tuition-free, provided there’s space available. Fees are also waived.

Oregon

All universities and colleges, including community colleges allows state residents 65 and older to audit select courses tuition-free if space is available and the course instructor approves. This includes both Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. You must pay any mandatory course fees. Some courses, including creative writing, can only be taken by older auditors in the summer. The auditing student must be registered for eight credits or fewer per term and the course must be a lower-division collegiate course.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has no sweeping law on its books that allows older students to take classes tuition-free. However, hunt a little, and you can find some. For example, the Pennsylvania State University system offers a Go-60 program, where state residents 60 and up retired or working no more than 20 hours a week can take up to six credits each semester, for credit or audit, tuition-free.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania allows folks 62 and older the ability to audit as many as 12 credits worth of classes tuition- and fee-free, provided there’s space available. You will have to pay for your textbooks and other mandatory course materials.

Many community colleges in the state also offer free tuition to older students. Bucks County Community College, near Philadelphia, and the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology allow county residents 65 and older to enroll tuition-free in for-credit courses on a space-available basis. There may be registration fees you’ll have to pay.

Rhode Island

The University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College and Community College of Rhode Island all offer tuition waivers to lower-income state residents 60 and older. According to the University of Rhode Island, older students must pay all other fees and can either audit classes (and get no grade) or take the course for credit.

South Carolina

It’s the law: All South Carolina residents 60 and older can attend any state-funded college tuition-free on a space-available basis, including the University of South Carolina. This includes courses taken for credit or audited. You’ll have to apply for enrollment to the school you are interested in attending, and you’ll be on the hook for any course fees, textbooks and other mandatory materials. 

South Dakota

State residents 65 and older get a 45% discount on tuition at participating state colleges, including campuses of South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Northern State University, Dakota State University and Black Hills State University.

The discount applies only to tuition, but not fees or other expenses associated with the course. You can take courses for credit or simply audit them. Online courses are not covered.

Tennessee

Retiring in Tennessee and establishing residency has its benefits if you’re hoping to extend your education at a ridiculously low cost. All state-supported universities and colleges (including community colleges) allow residents 65 and older (and possibly 55 and older if you qualify) to take courses for credit tuition-free. Any other fees (maintenance, activity or student activity fees) are also waived.

You will have to pay a small record-keeping fee ($45 a quarter or $70 per semester).

Texas

Texas residents 65 and older can take as many as six credit hours per semester at Texas state-funded colleges and universities, such as Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at Dallas. You also can audit as many as six hours of courses per semester. Fees and other costs (textbooks, labs, etc.) are the responsibility of the student.

For those wanting a more tailored experience, Rice University offers low-priced classes to seniors through its Glassock School of Continuing Studies.

Utah

Utah law states that residents 62 and older can enroll in regularly scheduled classes (space permitting) at Utah colleges and universities and are exempt from tuition and other charges. These are audited courses, per the University of Utah. You’ll also need a University of Utah student card to use the library and such, and that’s $10 for your first card.

You also may encounter a registration fee that varies by institution: the University of Utah charges a $25 per semester, and Salt Lake Community College charges a tuition fee of $10 per semester.

Vermont

Vermont residents 65 and older can audit tuition-free one course per semester at a college in the Vermont State Colleges System, including Castleton College, Community College of Vermont, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College.

If you want to take more classes than that, you can. You’ll get a 50% discount off the regular tuition rate for each course and can earn credits that count toward an undergraduate degree.

Virginia

The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia spells out that under Virginia law, “senior citizens” age 60 and over can audit up to three non-credit courses per term, quarter or semester tuition-free at public colleges and universities. 

The senior citizen must meet admission requirements and may enroll only if space is available after tuition-paying students have vied for the class. The colleges may make individual exceptions to these procedures for any senior citizen who has completed 75 percent of the requirements for a degree.

All seniors with tuition waivers have to buy their own textbooks and pay all fees for course materials, according to the Northern Virginia Community College system.

Washington

Washington state law mandates its state universities, regional universities, the Evergreen State’s colleges and Washington’s community colleges and tech schools “waive, in whole or in part, the tuition and services and activities fees for students” age 60 and older. This is for-credit courses. 

The law also says state schools can charge a nominal fee ($5) for senior citizens auditing a course. That’s $5 per course at the likes of South Seattle College and Bellevue College. At Spokane Falls Community College, the fee is $2.50 per class, so hey, it varies depending on the institution.

As the University of Washington’s website points out, senior auditors are admitted to classes (up to six credit hours per semester) as non-matriculated students. You do not take tests, write papers or participate in class discussion. Some courses are off-limits.

West Virginia

West Virginia law mandates the state’s public colleges and universities to offer citizens age 65 and older the opportunity to attend courses at a reduced tuition and fee level. This could be for credit or non-credit courses.

That same code limits total tuition and fees charged for non-credit course to not exceed $50 and for for-credit courses, charges cannot exceed 50% for the normal rates charged for tuition to in-state residents.

At West Virginia University, students who submit the senior citizens application are admitted as non-degree students. Indicate on the form whether you want credit. There’s a $5 application fee. The Osher Lifeling Learning Institute at WVU (or OLLI at WVU) also provides programs and educational opportunities designed for adults 50 and over.

Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin System of colleges and universities allows residents 60 and older to audit classes tuition-free on a space-available basis.

You’ll need to seek the instructor’s approval, and you can provisionally attend the class until the add/drop deadline reveals whether space is available. You’re responsible for lab fees, textbooks, and other course materials.

Wyoming

Wyoming residents 65 and older can attend classes at the University of Wyoming on a space-available basis at no cost. You must be admitted to the university and show proof of age and state residence.

Some of Wyoming’s community colleges also offer special incentives for retirees. For example, Laramie County Community College offers students age 60 and over to enroll in for-credit courses at a discounted rate of 20% of the resident tuition rate plus all course fees. To qualify, the student must bring his/her driver’s license to the Student Hub at the beginning of the semester.