If you are a North Carolina resident above the age of 60 or 65 looking for colleges that offer free tuition for seniors in your state, you are at the right place.
Although no institution in NC allows senior citizens to earn a degree for free, I was lucky enough to find those that allow seniors to audit a course without charge.
If auditing is not your thing and you don’t want to break the bank to go to college, you can apply for financial aid programs, scholarships, and grants. Scholarships are very competitive, but you can give it a shot.
Can senior citizens go to college for free in NC?
Senior citizens in North Carolina can take free audit courses in public community colleges for up to 6 credit hours per semester. This was made possible by the law enacted by the General Assembly of North Carolina in 2017.
Although the law has been amended and the requirements have been modified, it’s still effective in most community colleges in NC. Only legal residents of North Carolina are qualified for the waiver.
For clarification purposes, contact your college’s registrar or financial aid office to confirm the waiver for senior citizens in NC.
What age is considered a senior citizen in North Carolina?
Anyone 65 years or older is considered a senior citizen in North Carolina. People below 65 with certain disabilities can also be classified as seniors.
According to the United States Census Bureau, out % of the 10.5 million people in North Carolina, 16.7% of them are senior citizens (65 years and over).
- What Colleges Have Free Tuition For Senior Citizens in Texas?
- Free High School Diploma Online No Cost For Adults
- Free College Courses For Senior Citizens in New York
- Free Doctorate Degree In Theology Online
Free Colleges for Seniors in North Carolina
Here are some of the colleges that offer free tuition for seniors in North Carolina.
1. University of North Carolina Wilmington
Senior citizens who wish to audit a class at the University of North Carolina Wilmington can do so without paying a dime. Thanks to the General Assembly, which made this possible in 2017, it has helped many older people learn for free.
Auditing the class means that you will not receive academic credit. You need to apply as a degree-seeking student if you are seeking a degree. To audit any course at UNCW, submit your application online and the required documents like proof of age and North Carolina residence.
Not all applications are accepted since it’s space-dependent. If your course requires some prerequisites, you must provide those before applying. Applications must be submitted before Fall 2024.
2. East Carolina University
Residents of NC who are at least the age of 65 are allowed to audit a max of 6 credit hours of undergraduate courses each semester at East Carolina University without paying tuition or other fees.
ECU also has a financial aid program you can apply for. You must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress and other non-academic requirements and fill out the FAFSA & financial aid application forms to be eligible for the program.
3. Durham Tech Community College
Non-credit registration fees and tuition associated with academic audits are waived at Durham Tech for senior citizens in North Carolina. The only thing you may be billed is local fees.
This waiver does not apply to self-supporting courses, and applications must be submitted within the scheduled adjustment period, usually the first two days of the term.
To begin your application, email [email protected] requesting an audit application form. Your chances of getting in depend on the space available in the course.
4 . North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University, one of the leading public universities in NC, created the Senior Auditors program for senior residents of the state above 65 to audit courses.
Applicants are expected to be in good standing with the university and must not have any financial holds on institutional accounts. The tuition and $40 registration fees are waived for applicants who are 65+
After admission, auditors must return the waiver form they filled out to the Department of Registration and Records at North Carolina State University.
These are some colleges with free tuition for senior citizens in North Carolina. Remember that auditing a course is equivalent to getting no grade or credit at the end of the day.
Resource:
- U.S. Census Bureau quick facts: North Carolina
- Audit & Senior Citizen Audit | UNCW
- Senior Citizen Audit Waiver | ECU
Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.