Can Seniors Go to College for Free?

It’s the moment you’ve dreamed of your entire working life. You wake up on your terms without an alarm screeching at you. You don’t have to hop in the shower, throw together an outfit, and rush to clock in before 8 a.m. Now is the time to kick back, relax, and enjoy life to the fullest. After all, you’re retired now! But for some retirees, the thought of sitting at home day after day, watching TV or doomscrolling through social media, holds no appeal. Others might want to find a way to better themselves. Some might want to volunteer or try a new hobby, like writing.

But others?

They want to return to college.

You might think it sounds ridiculous to enroll in college when your hair is gray. And yet, according to IvyWise, 37% of college students are aged 25 and older. We have to imagine that a decent number of those students are even older than that! There are a thousand reasons why you might talk yourself out of returning to college and earning the diploma you wish you’d gotten when you were younger.

Maybe you’re worried about how you’ll fit into campus life. Maybe you fear you can’t keep up with the coursework. Or maybe you worry you can’t pay for it. Of course, most places offer senior discounts. But does that logic apply to colleges across the United States?

Which colleges offer free tuition to seniors?

The words “free” and “college” in the same sentence might seem like a punchline. After all, how often do we hear horror stories about young people saddled with crippling student loan debts? But, believe it or not, some colleges do offer free tuition for seniors! Which ones? We’re so glad you asked!

California State Universities

If you’re an older adult living in the Golden State, we’ve got fantastic news. Per Education Code 89330, California is required to offer free tuition to senior citizens across the state. Every college part of the Cal State system MUST grant tuition waivers to California residents over the age of 60.

All State-funded South Carolina Colleges

Like California, South Carolina’s state-funded universities offer free tuition to senior citizens who are residents of South Carolina. The best part? You can take as many courses as you like, provided you stay in good academic standing with your college of choice. Maybe getting older isn’t so bad, after all!

Georgia State Colleges

Thanks to Provision 4.2.1.9 in the Georgia Constitution, seniors aged 62 and older can take classes at ANY of the state’s 31 colleges and universities without paying a dime on tuition! However, the offer doesn’t apply to every undergraduate and graduate course.

Kentucky State University

Calling all Kentucky residents! Did you know that if you’re a Kentucky resident over the age of 65, you can receive FREE tuition for any undergraduate or graduate college course at Kentucky State University?

Northern Michigan University

Michigan residents aged 62 and older are entitled to full-tuition scholarships for all on-campus classes! This offer does not extend to books, fees, or tuition for off-campus or online courses.

The University of Rhode Island

Rhode Islanders, rejoice! You can get into the University of Rhode Island for free, as long as you fall below a certain income level and qualify for the waiver.

University of Alaska

If you live in Alaska and wonder what to do during the long, cold winters, wonder no more. You can attend classes at the University of Alaska for FREE, on a space-available basis. However, you must be aged 65 or older.

University of Arkansas

Arkansas residents who are over the age of 60 can take tuition-free courses at the University of Arkansas (as long as space is available). You must have your high school diploma (or GED) to qualify.

Are there scholarships and grants for seniors?

When you hear the word “scholarship”, you probably picture a high school or college student. However, there are plenty of scholarships and grants available for senior learners, too! Like any scholarship, you have to meet certain requirements to receive it. Some scholarships you might want to look into include:

• Jeannette Rankin Scholarship Fund: If you’re a woman over the age of 35 with financial need, you can look into this scholarship. You must be pursuing a technical or vocational education, or an associate’s or bachelor’s degree (per Scholarship Owl).
• Alpha Sigma Lambda: Seniors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree and have a financial need may be entitled to $3,500 in scholarship money. You can only receive this money if you attend a college with an active Alpha Sigma Lambda chapter, have 24 completed credits, and a GPA of at least 3.2.

You can find other scholarship opportunities on websites like Scholarship360 and Bold.org.

Financial Aid Programs

Financial aid programs, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans, can help you pay for college! Better yet, you don’t have to be a young person to qualify!

Some resources you may want to check out include:

• studentaid.gov
• financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov
• 6 Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
• 7 Options if You Didn’t Receive Enough Financial Aid
• Find Your Student Loan Servicer
• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling

More Helpful Resources

Check out these great articles before you head out:

• 7 Unique Senior Education Classes for Boomers Interested in Technology
• If I’m 70 Years Old, Can I Still Attend College?
• Can Adult Education Classes Help Lower Your Risk of Developing Dementia?
• 7 Colleges That Offer Tuition-Free Senior Education

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