For many people, the solution is to return to the classroom. Yet tuition can be a serious financial barrier.
At the same time, colleges want lively, involved students of every age. To encourage lifelong learning, numerous colleges and universities provide reduced-cost or complimentary courses for older adults (commonly those 60 and older, though specifics vary by state).
In fact, we located at least one program option in every state.
Free (or Low-Cost) College Classes for Older Adults in Every State
While some schools only permit senior learners to audit courses, many institutions let older students earn academic credits at a reduced — or entirely waived — tuition rate.
Does your state offer a senior education benefit you can use? See the listings below.
1. Alabama
The Alabama Commission on Higher Education notes that Alabama seniors who meet admission criteria may attend any two-year college in the state without paying tuition.
Adults 60 and older should reach out to the financial aid office at a community college to learn about admission and eligibility requirements.
2. Alaska
The University of Alaska waives tuition for Alaska residents age 65 and up. Seniors must wait until the first day of classes to enroll to confirm space availability and must submit a tuition-waiver form.
Additional charges like student activity, health center and lab fees aren’t covered and must be paid by the student.
Online course availability for seniors depends on what the campus offers; contact admissions for details.
3. Arizona
All 10 campuses of Maricopa Community College let senior citizens take classes for credit at half the regular tuition rate.
Students 65 and older should register between the first and second class meetings of the term to ensure a spot. You can sign up for in-person, online or hybrid classes.
4. Arkansas
Arkansas law waives tuition for anyone 60 or older admitted and enrolled at a state-supported higher education institution.
Student fees may still apply, and seniors can only register for courses with open space. If you need online offerings, check with the specific college.
5. California
California State University waives tuition entirely for eligible state-supported classes and significantly lowers campus fees for residents age 60 and above.
Cal State campuses may provide online or in-person course options depending on location.
6. Colorado
Individuals 55 and over can attend classes on a space-available basis at Colorado State University without paying tuition; however, they don’t receive academic credit. Participation, grading and assignment policies are at the instructor’s discretion.
At the University of Colorado Denver, those 60 and older may enroll as auditors for up to two courses per semester without credit when space permits. (Lab courses, computer classes and other specified courses are excluded.)
7. Connecticut
Residents 62 and older may attend state colleges, including community colleges, tuition-free on a space-available basis.
At Central Connecticut State University, for instance, tuition is waived for any resident over 62 who applies for full- or part-time admission into a degree program. Online classes are included.
Seniors can also take noncredit courses with tuition waived if space is available; other fees still apply.
8. Delaware
The University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College permit permanent state residents age 60 or older to audit or take credit courses for free.
At the University of Delaware, participants must apply for admission on a space-available basis. Some graduate programs may qualify as well. Offerings include online and in-person classes.
Students must still pay associated fees and purchase textbooks.
9. District of Columbia
Older adults 65 and up can audit undergraduate courses at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies for a fee of $52 per credit (about $156 for a typical three-credit course).
Enrollment as an auditor requires available space and the instructor’s approval.
10. Florida
The Florida college system waives application, tuition and student fees for individuals 60 and older, though these students won’t earn academic credit. Admission is space-dependent. Verify with your chosen college whether online classes are included.
11. Georgia
Georgia residents age 62 and older may enroll on a space-available basis for “little or no cost” at the state’s public colleges.
Seniors can take credit or continuing-education courses but must apply through the institution’s standard admissions process. Many general education classes are available online.
12. Hawaii
The Senior Citizen Visitor Program at the University of Hawaii and state community colleges lets residents 60 and older attend classes for free on a space-available basis. Eligibility requirements include instructor approval, state residency and Dept. of Health clearance.
Schools do not award credit or keep permanent academic records for these students.
13. Idaho
At Boise State University, Idaho residents 65 and older may audit classes for free on a space-available basis, though special course fees may still be charged. BSU provides both online and on-campus courses.
14. Illinois
Seniors 65 and up who meet income criteria can attend regular credit courses at Illinois public institutions tuition-free after admission. Lab, student and other fees still apply. Institutions will outline options for online and in-person enrollment.
15. Indiana
Indiana University allows retired residents 60 and older to take up to nine credit hours per semester at 50% of in-state tuition. These courses are offered in person.
16. Iowa
Private Simpson College in Indianola permits senior citizens (65+) to enroll in courses at a reduced rate on a space-available basis; lab classes are excluded. Online options may be available.
17. Kansas
Kansas residents 60 and older may audit courses at state institutions on a space-available basis without tuition charges.
Procedures differ by campus: the University of Kansas and Wichita State University, for instance, require senior auditors to apply for admission. Online or in-person formats may be offered.
18. Kentucky
Tuition and fees are waived for students age 65 and older attending classes on a space-available basis. Residents must be admitted to a state-supported school to use this benefit. Each campus will have details on online versus in-person offerings.
19. Louisiana
Students 55 and older at Louisiana state schools receive free tuition and 50% off books and supplies at the campus bookstore. Confirm with each school whether online courses are included.
20. Maine
Adults 65 and older may attend undergraduate classes as degree-seeking students or auditors in the University of Maine System tuition-free, subject to space availability.
Each campus can clarify which course types are covered (online, in-person, hybrid).
21. Maryland
Any retired student over 60 in the University of Maryland System may have tuition waived for up to three courses per semester, even within degree programs. Online and face-to-face classes are available.
22. Massachusetts
Residents 60 or older can take at least three credits per term at any state-funded school in Massachusetts and receive free tuition.
Each campus lists available online offerings.
23. Michigan
Seniors’ benefits in Michigan differ by institution.
At Michigan Tech, students 60 and older may have tuition waived for up to two courses per semester, provided they apply through admissions and take classes on campus.
Western Michigan University allows residents 62 and over to register for one tuition-free class per term or session, which can include online classes.
Wayne State University in Detroit offers seniors 60 and up a 75% tuition discount, though registration and related fees remain payable. Some online classes are available.
24. Minnesota
Minnesota law waives tuition for residents 62 and older, though fees and online offerings may differ by campus. At the University of Minnesota, seniors pay a $20 per-credit fee but can audit for free.
25. Mississippi
There’s no uniform statewide benefit in Mississippi, but several campuses run programs offering free or reduced-cost classes for seniors.
Mississippi State University waives tuition for residents 60 and older for classes at the Starkville or Meridian campuses or via the Center for Distance Education. Seniors are limited to six semester hours per term and up to 18 credit hours per calendar year, subject to space availability. MSU provides both online and on-campus classes.
The University of Mississippi’s Lifelong Learning office lets seniors 65 and above take one class free per semester (up to four credit hours) on any UM campus.
26. Missouri
Missouri residents 65 and older are exempt from tuition at state-supported institutions for noncredit attendance. Schools may cap the number of recipients based on available space. Online and in-person classes may be offered.
27. Montana
The University of Montana provides a tuition waiver for in-state residents 65 and older for undergraduate courses. Campus and registration fees aren’t covered. Both online and in-person classes are options.
28. Nebraska
Nebraskans 65 and older can audit classes at the University of Nebraska Omaha via the Lifelong Learning for Senior Learners program. For an annual $25 fee, seniors may attend up to two classes per semester with instructor permission. These must be attended in person; online options aren’t part of this program.
29. Nevada
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas lets seniors 62 and older take fall and spring courses tuition-free, while summer classes are 50% off. Lab and other course fees aren’t covered. Online courses may be available.
30. New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire offers residents 65 and older free tuition for up to two credit-bearing courses per academic year on a space-available basis, provided they’re not pursuing a degree. Courses may be online or on campus.
31. New Jersey
Rutgers University permits retired New Jersey residents 62 and older to audit classes at no cost during the spring and fall semesters at its Camden, New Brunswick and Newark campuses, space permitting.
32. New Mexico
New Mexico State University offers discounted tuition for state residents 65 and older.
33. New York
Many New York schools provide free or reduced tuition for older adults. Queens College lets residents 60 and up audit courses on a space-available basis after submitting a Senior Citizen Auditor Application and paying $80 per semester.
At SUNY Purchase, New York residents 60 and older may enroll tuition-free in up to two credit-bearing on-campus classes where space allows. They pay a $50 audit fee, a $25 ID processing fee and any course fees. In-person, online and hybrid formats are available.
34. North Carolina
Residents 65 and over attending North Carolina community colleges have tuition and registration fees waived and may take up to six credit hours per term for free. Audit options may exist at other institutions.
For example, at UNC Wilmington, seniors can audit courses tuition-free on a space-available basis with the instructor’s permission and an application. Certain course types are excluded. Online classes are available for those who prefer them.
35. North Dakota
Programs differ by campus in North Dakota. At Bismarck State, seniors 65 and older can audit one course per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis, though they still pay other applicable fees. Some online options exist.
36. Ohio
Ohio residents 60 and older may attend classes at state colleges tuition-free, though no academic credit is awarded and enrollment is space-dependent. Special charges like lab fees remain the student’s responsibility.
Many Ohio institutions offer online, in-person and hybrid classes.
37. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s colleges and universities waive tuition and fees for seniors 65 and older who want to audit courses on a space-available basis.
38. Oregon
Oregon State University allows residents 65 and older to audit courses tuition-free up to eight credit hours per semester.
The University of Oregon also waives fees for seniors 65 and older auditing classes on a space-available basis.
Online course options depend on availability.
39. Pennsylvania
PennWest University offers a tuition waiver for residents 62 and older to audit classes. At Bloomsburg University, residents 60 and up can take classes tuition-free on a space-available basis.
Community colleges may have additional perks: Bucks County Community College, for instance, waives for-credit tuition for seniors 65 and over if they register after full-paying students. Many online courses are available, along with in-person and hybrid options.
40. Rhode Island
Seniors over 60 may request tuition waivers at the Community College of Rhode Island. Enrollment is allowed when space is open.
Degree-seeking senior students must complete a FAFSA and submit a Senior Citizens Means Test to document limited income.
41. South Carolina
Residents 60 and older can attend classes at state institutions for credit or noncredit, pending space, at no tuition cost. Admission must be granted through normal procedures.
Technology, laboratory and other fees are the student’s responsibility. Many South Carolina community colleges provide online courses.
42. South Dakota
Residents 65 and over can attend public universities in South Dakota at a 45% tuition reduction.
Interested adults don’t need a separate application; the discount is applied upon admission. Student fees aren’t waived, and the reduction usually applies to in-person classes.
43. Tennessee
The University of Tennessee lets seniors enroll in undergraduate or graduate courses for $7 per credit hour with a $70-per-semester cap.
Application and course fees still apply. Seniors may choose online or on-campus classes.
44. Texas
Residents 65 and older can take up to six tuition-free credit hours at the University of Texas at Austin.
At the University of Texas at Dallas and Lone Star College, undergraduates 65 and older must keep a 2.0 GPA (3.0 for graduate students) to qualify for a tuition waiver of up to six credit hours per term.
Confirm with each university which online and in-person courses are open to seniors.
45. Utah
Utah residents 62 and older may enroll tuition-free at a state institution if space allows; a quarterly registration fee is required.
At the University of Utah, seniors can audit most classes on a space-available basis for a $25 semester fee plus any special fees. Call to confirm whether online classes are included.
46. Vermont
Vermonters over 65 can audit one course per semester tuition-free on a space-available basis within the Vermont State College System. Additional classes are available at a 50% tuition discount, either on campus or online.
Administrative and course fees still apply.
47. Virginia
Under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, Virginia residents over 60 who report taxable income under $23,850 a year may take credit classes tuition-free on a space-available basis at public institutions, in person or online. Residents 60 and older may audit courses for free regardless of income.
48. Washington
Colleges in Washington must partially or fully waive tuition for residents 60 and older enrolled for credit on a space-available basis. Small fees may apply for auditors.
Some campuses limit the number of credits or classes; for instance, Washington State University caps the waiver at six credits for fall and spring. Online offerings are available.
49. West Virginia
Seniors 65 and older at West Virginia University seeking credit must use the regular admissions form. Non-degree students pay only $5 to apply. WVU provides classes online and on campus.
50. Wisconsin
Adults 60 and older may audit courses at the University of Wisconsin–Madison or via UW–Madison Online without charge, subject to space availability.
51. Wyoming
Northwest College offers residents 60 and older free tuition for up to six credit hours per semester for on-site and online courses, plus complimentary access to many campus social, cultural and athletic events.
Another Lifelong Learning Choice
More than 100 colleges and universities nationwide host another option for older learners: noncredit enrichment programs through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI).
Costs vary by campus. For example, Duke University charges a $60 annual membership plus $45 to $175 per course. Seniors can select online or in-person classes.
OLLI courses don’t contribute toward degrees, but they’re a great way to pursue personal interests and engage with fellow older adults on campus.
Contributor Maria Lane updated this post.
