Senior Citizen College Tuition Discounts

If you are returning to school later in life, you may have several options for getting senior citizen college discounts. Some schools offer discounted tuition rates for older students, while others may waive the tuition entirely. Online universities and night classes at a local adult school are some other ways to get a college discount as a senior citizen.

Senior citizen college discounts: Scholarships for seniors

Senior citizens can often get special college discounts or scholarships intended only for older students. Many times, the college wants to encourage more senior citizens to enroll and the applicant pool is limited. Of course, you can also apply for general scholarships that are not based on age. This can be especially helpful in gaining college discounts for senior citizens who are also a member of a minority.

Senior citizen college discounts: Public school discount programs

Some public colleges and universities will offer tuition discount programs for senior citizens. Some states waive all or part of the tuition for older students at any college in their public system. Others may charge a reduced tuition rate for students over a certain age. Community colleges are another good option for senior citizens looking for college discounts. Their rates are already quite low and many community college systems have discounted rates for senior citizen students.

Senior citizen college discounts: Alternative schooling

Alternative education may be another discounted way for a senior citizen to get their college degree. Online universities often have programs for senior citizen students and can be more accessible to seniors who have a hard time getting around. Some local colleges also offer night school classes to older adults who are simply interested in getting an education and do not need a particular accredited degree. These adult school courses are generally shorter than the average college semester, lasting around six to eight weeks. Classes designed for senior citizens can also be a better fit socially as most of the students will be in the same age group.

Senior citizen college discounts: Other ways to save

Even if you cannot get a senior citizen college discount on the tuition itself, there are several ways to cut your overall costs while in school. Many colleges will include student services in the price of their tuition, including some types of healthcare or dental care. This can be very helpful for older students who do not have health insurance or do not wish to pay high deductibles. Another way to cut down on your total tuition may be to apply for work experience credits. This allows you to earn credits toward your degree for the expertise you have already demonstrated in your field.