Senior Citizen, 65 or Older, Free Tuition for Auditing Classes

Program Purpose
To encourage senior citizens to continue their education and keep involved with local colleges and universities.

Who can apply?
Individuals who:

• Are Texas residents, nonresidents or foreign students
• Enroll at a college or university whose governing board has chosen to offer this program
• Enroll in a class that is not already filled with students who are paying full price for the courses. (If the class is too small to accommodate both regular students and senior citizens, the regular students must be given priority.)
• Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs)

FYI: colleges or universities are not required to offer this program. Each school’s governing board has to choose to do so in order for the college to allow senior citizens to audit classes for free.

Where may the awards be used?
Available only for use at a Texas public college or university.

To access listings of Texas public colleges and universities, follow the links to Texas Public Institutions.

How much can be awarded?

The maximum award is tuition and fees for the number of hours audited in a semester. No funds may be used to pay tuition for continuing education classes for which the college receives no state tax support.

How large is the program?
184 awards were made in 2004-05. (2005-06 data is not yet available)

How can I apply?
Contact the college registrar to find out if the college or university offers this program. Then, provide proof of eligibility.

Where can I get additional information?

• Contact your college for additional information.
• To read more about this program check out: Texas Education Code §54.210 (c)
• Contact Us!

A person submitting misleading or fraudulent information to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in an attempt to obtain financial aid is subject to criminal prosecution. Please contact the Fraud Hotline to report suspected fraud.