Can I Go to College for Free If I'm 62+?

Some seniors have a lot of time after retirement and want to spend it wisely by learning more and contributing their hard-won experiences to their community.

One great way to do that is by going to college and interacting with the younger generations there.

But not everyone can afford that, so a lot of seniors are left asking, 'Can I go to college for free at 62?'

The good news is that you can — find out the ways that seniors over 62 can attend college tuition-free below.

Ways That Seniors Can Go to College For Free in the United States

There are multiple ways that people 62 and older can go to college in the United States without paying tuition.

From auditing to state programs, here are the top ways you can go to college for free at 62.

Auditing Classes

Auditing a course allows you to attend it in person or online without having to do the homework or exams.

Because of this, auditing a class is usually free but often does not provide college credit.

Some colleges, such as Harvard, offer online auditing of certain classes for free each semester to anyone, regardless of age, while others have policies in place that allow seniors to audit any courses that aren't at capacity.

For example, residents of Florida over the age of 60 can audit courses as part of the state's Senior Citizen Tuition Fee Waiver program.

Check with the specific state or college you'd like to attend to find out their auditing policy.

Tuition Waivers and Scholarships

According to the U.S. News and World Report, as many as 60% of colleges and universities in the United States offer tuition waivers for older adults.

Public universities across the U.S. — such as the University of North Carolina, the University of Virginia, and the University of Delaware — provide waivers that allow students over the age of 60 to take classes tuition-free if they meet eligibility requirements.

However, eligibility requirements can vary — for some colleges, you must only take non-credit courses, while for others, you can only take credit courses.

Some waiver programs will have income caps and require proof of retirement and residency in addition to age requirements.

Similar to tuition waivers, senior-specific scholarships are available in many states.

In Alabama, anyone over 60 who attends a two-year institution in the state can apply for the Senior Adult Scholarship Program to get free tuition.

Northern Michigan University created a Senior Citizen Scholarship for residents asking, 'Can I go to college for free at 62?'

It covers on-campus class tuition for anyone over 62, though books and fees are not included.

Specific Programs

Some specific programs have been created by colleges to help seniors attend classes for free outside of regular auditing opportunities.

You can see a few of the more popular programs below.

The Amendment 23 Program at Georgia College and State University

Georgia College and State University (GCSU) offers a program that allows residents of Georgia who are 62 or older to take undergraduate-level courses without paying tuition.

Textbooks and lab fees are not included in the tuition coverage, and the classes you can take depend on available space.

Anyone who wants to enroll in graduate-level courses through this program must contact the GCSU Graduate Admissions Office directly.

California State University at Fullerton's Over 60 Program

California law allows California State University (CSU) to establish a program allowing residents aged 60 and over to enroll in credit-earning courses without paying application or course registration fees.

With this law in place, CSU Fullerton was able to create an Over 60 program, which means California residents who are 62 can attend college without paying tuition as long as they're registered last in courses to ensure space for paying students.

Senior Citizens' Opportunity Program in Education (SCOPE) at Western Michigan University

At Western Michigan University (WMU), prospective students aged 62 or older can register for one tuition-free class each semester through the SCOPE program.

While these courses will not provide college credit and some courses may not be available to you due to space, a few free classes a year is still a good deal for a senior who wants to stay sharp.

This program applies to both undergraduate and graduate courses, though the application process differs depending on which level of courses you would like to register for.

Penn State's GO-60 Program

The GO-60 Program at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) lets individuals who are 60 or older attend up to two undergraduate courses per semester tuition-free, provided they aren't seeking credit for a degree.

To qualify for the program, you must meet these conditions:

• Be 60 or older at the time of enrollment
• Be retired or working under 20 hours a week
• Be a Pennsylvania resident living within the service area of a campus
• Enroll in classes labeled 1 to 399 — courses over 400 are full-price
• Complete prerequisites for any courses you wish to enroll in through the program

Find a College With Free Classes for Seniors Today

Now that we've answered the question, 'Can I go to college for free at 62 or older?' and told you about the different ways you can attend college classes for free as a senior, it's time for you to choose the college and courses you want to attend today so you can fill your senior learning schedule tomorrow.