Free College Tuition for Seniors by State 2025

Yes
38
No
12
State
Free Tuition Statewide
Min Age
Participating Colleges and Details
Alaska Flag
Alaska 65- The University of Alaska | - Provides a tuition waiver for senior citizens, on a space-available basis
Arizona Flag
Arizona 65- The 10 campuses of Maricopa (County) Community Colleges offer a 50% discount on resident tuition rates| - Seniors must also pay registration and course-specific fees
Illinois Flag
Illinois 65- University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, and Western Illinois University, as well as all public community colleges | - Student fees and lab fees must be paid | - Tuition-paying students get first dibs at the classes
Indiana Flag
Indiana 65- For-credit courses in degree programs at the state’s public universities are offered at 50% of the normal in-state tuition cost—on up to nine credits per semester | - Lab fees, as well as application and registration fees, are the responsibility of the student
Iowa Flag
Iowa 65- Simpson College - non-credit classes tuition-free | - Des Moines Area Community College offers students 62 and over one free for-credit course per semester
Kentucky Flag
Kentucky 65- Classes on a space-available basis at the state’s public colleges and universities - Fees are the responsibility of the student
Maine Flag
Maine 65- The University of Maine college system offers free college tuition for senior, including fees | - Acceptance is on a space-available basis
Missouri Flag
Missouri 65- Seniors are guaranteed under state law a tuition waiver to any state college or university | - Scholarship awardees do not earn college credit for courses taken, and course admittance is on a space-available basis | - The school can impose a registration fee of no more than $25 per semester. You must go through the application process
Montana Flag
Montana 65- The Montana State University System, including the University of Montana and Montana State University campuses, as well as community colleges
Nebraska Flag
Nebraska 65- There’s no statewide program in Nebraska to waive tuition for older students, but you may find free or discounted tuition at individual colleges | - Chadron State College
New Hampshire Flag
New Hampshire 65- Seniors can take 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
New Jersey Flag
New Jersey 65- Each public institution of higher education in N.J. may, if they so choose, permit persons of the age of 65 or more years to enroll in regularly scheduled courses without the payment of any tuition charges, provided that available classroom space permits, and provided that tuition-paying students constitute the minimum number required for the course
New Mexico Flag
New Mexico 65- Senior Citizens Reduced Tuition Act of 1984. Each of the state’s public, post-secondary degree-granting institutions must grant a tuition reduction to senior citizens [age 65 or older] upon request by the student | - The fee is $5 per credit hour
North Carolina Flag
North Carolina 65- Seniors 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
North Dakota Flag
North Dakota 65- Varies by school | - Under North Dakota State University's Project 65 policy, people 65+ can audit one course per semester | - Bismarck State College allows seniors to take one course per semester tuition-free if space is available | - 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
Oklahoma Flag
Oklahoma 65- Seniors can audit classes at the state’s public colleges and universities tuition-free. Fees are also waived | - Enrollment is offered on a space-available basis
Oregon Flag
Oregon 65- The University of Oregon and Oregon State University allow seinors to audit classes at the state’s public colleges and universities tuition-free, provided there’s space available
South Dakota Flag
South Dakota 65- 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
Texas Flag
Texas 65- Texas residents 65 and older can take as many as six credit hours per semester at Texas state-funded colleges and universities | - 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
Vermont Flag
Vermont 65- 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
West Virginia Flag
West Virginia 65- West Virginia law mandates the state’s public colleges and universities offer citizens age 65 and older to "attend courses at a reduced tuition and fee level" | - This rule applies to both for-credit or non-credit courses | - At West Virginia University, students who submit the senior citizens application are admitted as non-degree students and indicate on the form whether they want credit. There is a $5 application fee
Wyoming Flag
Wyoming 65- Wyoming residents 65+ can attend classes at the University of Wyoming on a space-available basis at no cost | - Some of Wyoming’s community colleges also offer special incentives for retirees
Connecticut Flag
Connecticut 62- University of Connecticut, Connecticut State University and the state’s 12 regional community-technical colleges
Georgia Flag
Georgia 62- There are 26 public colleges and universities in Georgia’s state university system, and all offer free courses for resident students aged 62 and older | - Students may have to pay nominal fees, such as application fees, books and parking permits. Paying students are first in line, and you’ll be admitted on a space-available basis
Minnesota Flag
Minnesota 62- University of Minnesota and throughout the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system - Students must pay for administrative fees (unless auditing the course) and any materials or service charges tacked onto the courses
Nevada Flag
Nevada 62- University of Nevada Las Vegas joins with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to bring classes on a variety of topics to seniors | - Members may attend as many classes as they like, on a space available basis | - Registration is $90 for the fall or spring semester. Annual memberships are $175
Utah Flag
Utah 62- According to the law 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
Alabama Flag
Alabama 60- Any of the 24 community and technical colleges in the Alabama Community College System, including Calhoun Community College in Decatur (the largest school in the system) | - Alabama Technical Institute and Marion Military Institute and University at Montgomery| - Auburn University at Montgomery also offers classes for adults age 50+ who are retired
Arkansas Flag
Arkansas 60- Fees are waived at all state-supported colleges, including community colleges
California Flag
California 60- Tuition is waived for all state-supported colleges| - Many of the University of California campuses also offer courses for students who are at least 50
Delaware Flag
Delaware 60- University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical and Community College waive tuition for seniors | - Free tuition doesn't mean everything is free: 60-and-over students must pay for lab fees, books and other supplies related to the course
Florida Flag
Florida 60- All of Florida’s state universities waive tuition and fees by law for residents older than 60 | - Academic credit may not be awarded for attendance in classes for which fees are waived under this subsection | - Paying students, as well as state employees, get first dibs on classes
Hawaii Flag
Hawaii 60- All residents of Hawaii age 60 and older can attend courses for free at the University of Hawaii and state community colleges | - No college credit is given, and no permanent records are kept
Idaho Flag
Idaho 60- The University of Idaho permits Idaho residents age 60 and older to enroll in UoI courses on a space-available basis | - The cost is $20, plus $5 per credit hour | - Boise State University, the College of Southern Idaho, and Lewis-Clark State College also have low-cost tuitions for seniors
Kansas Flag
Kansas 60- A variety of colleges and universities allow seniors to audit certain classes for free | - No college credit or grade
Maryland Flag
Maryland 60- Residents 60 years of age and retired get their tuition waived at any of the schools for up to three courses per semester - Fees for application, registration, or other services are waived at some colleges, but not all
Massachusetts Flag
Massachusetts 60- Public universities and colleges within Massachusetts’ higher education system waive tuition for seniors - Massachusetts also waives tuition for Native Americans, members of the military, and others)
Michigan Flag
Michigan 60- 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 | - 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 | - Additional colleges across the state may also participate
Mississippi Flag
Mississippi 60- There isn't a statewide law a program for free (or nearly so) college tuition | - University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University | - Seniors must still go through the normal application process
New York Flag
New York 60- Tuition is waived for Empire State residents 60 and older who audit for-credit classes at any of the state’s public colleges and universities | - There are restrictions and fees depending on the college
Ohio Flag
Ohio 60- 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
Pennsylvania Flag
Pennsylvania 60- Seniors can take free courses at state institutions | - Pennsylvania State University offers a Go-60 program, where state residents 60 and up who are retired or work no more than 20 hours a week may take up to six credits per semester, for credit or audit, tuition-free | - Clarion University of Pennsylvania, for example, allows folks 62 and older the ability to audit as many as 12 credits' worth of classes tuition- and fee-free, provided space is available | - Many community colleges in the state also offer free tuition to older students
Rhode Island Flag
Rhode Island 60- 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 | - Older students must pay all other fees and can either audit classes (and get no grade) or take the course for credit.
South Carolina Flag
South Carolina 60- According to the law all South Carolina residents 60 and older may attend any state-funded college tuition-free on a space-available basis
Virginia Flag
Virginia 60- Under Virginia law, "senior citizens" age 60 and over can audit at no cost up to three non-credit courses per term, quarter or semester at any public college or university | - The senior citizen must meet admission requirements and may enroll only if space is available after tuition-paying students have vied for the class
Washington Flag
Washington 60- Washington state law mandates its state and regional universities, state and community colleges, and tech schools to "waive, in whole or in part, the tuition and services and activities fees for students" 60 and older | - This guideline applies to courses for credit
Wisconsin Flag
Wisconsin 60- The University of Wisconsin system of colleges and universities allows residents 60 and older to audit classes tuition-free on a space-available basis
Colorado Flag
Colorado 55- At Colorado State University,“lifelong learners” can attend classes for free on a space-available basis, but you won’t get college credits for those classes
Louisiana Flag
Louisiana 55- Public colleges and universities waive tuition and registration fees. Books, manuals, and other aids to instruction required by any course are half-price
Tennessee Flag
Tennessee 55- All state-supported universities and colleges (including community colleges) allow residents 65 and older (and possibly 55 and older if they qualify) to take courses for credit tuition-free | - Any other fees (maintenance, activity or student activity fees) are also waived
  • For the purposes of the table below, the term “seniors” refers to senior citizens as opposed to students of traditional high school and/or college age who are in their fourth, or senior, year of high school or university.
  • While not all states have enacted statewide laws mandating free education for seniors, many universities and colleges within those states independently offer tuition waivers or discounts for older learners.