What colleges have free tuition for senior citizens in Texas? Can seniors go to college without paying a dime in Texas?
Going to college is expensive, no doubt about that. But what if you are older than half a century and still want to learn? The Texas Education Code 54. 365(c) has a program where public universities or colleges in Texas have waivers specially made for senior citizens. It was established by the Texas State government a long time ago.
It has limits and requirements for those interested in the program. We will cover everything in this article.
I found five colleges or universities where you can study for free as a senior citizen in Texas in 2023. Pretty sure there are more. You can contact the registrar in any Texas public college to know if they have a waiver for seniors.
Free College for Seniors in Texas
1. University of Texas, Dallas
The University of Texas has a financial aid program created for senior citizens in Texas. The program is meant for only those above the age of 65.
It covers the tuition for six credit hours per semester, but the fees for classes and other things are not covered.
These are some of the requirements:
- You must be a resident/nonresident of Texas or a foreign student
- You are expected to enroll in classes for which the University receives tax support
- As an undergraduate, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0. Graduate students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- You must enroll in a class that is not already filled with students who are paying the total price for the course.
To apply for the program, you must provide proof of eligibility, like an ID card, to the Office of Financial Aid at UT Dallas.
2. Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University is another Texas public university that offers older people programs. They have an academy for people above 55, part of the State of Texas program.
You are going to pay other fees apart from the tuition. This includes the compulsory $75 application fee, and the program covers six credit hours of tuition per semester. Fee waivers are not accepted.
The requirements are similar to the University of Texas financial aid program for senior citizens. Only Texas residents are eligible to apply.
Degree and non-degree-seeking students must submit a copy of their Texas driver’s license and official high school transcripts to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
3. University of Houston
The University of Houston, one of the best institutions in the United States, offers waivers and fee exemptions for seniors (65+) in Texas.
You can audit any course at the University of Houston for free if the space is available or enroll for credit in up to 6 hours of courses UH offers each semester.
All applications must be submitted before the deadline specified by the financial aid office. You could submit an appeal if your waiver was denied because you didn’t meet the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) requirements.
4. University of North Texas
Most older people prefer studying at UNT because of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which was designed for adults over 50; there are no requirements for this program.
As someone over 65, you can be an observer or auditor of any course (with the exemption of PE or music courses) without paying a dime. You can use the school library, studio, and laboratory as an auditor without issues.
The University of North Texas also offers a special tuition exemption for Senior Citizens in Texas. This exemption is applicable for up to six credit hours of tuition each semester.
5. Lamar University
As one of Texas’s cheapest and fastest-growing colleges, Lamar University makes it to our list of colleges with free tuition for senior citizens in Texas.
LU is a public university with more than 15,000 students and different programs in arts & sciences, engineering, business, etc. Seniors can register for a course audit which takes up to 6 hours per semester for free.
Applications are to be submitted before the ApplyTexas deadline. If you need more info, you can contact the University’s Registrar’s Office at [email protected]
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Can seniors go to college for free in Texas?
Yes, senior citizens can go to college for free in Texas. They must be at least 65 years old, a legal Texas resident,, and eligible for the waiver.
Texas seniors can be exempted from tuition for up to 6 credit hours every semester or summer term if there’s enough space. They can also audit courses at most public universities or colleges in Texas without paying anything.
At what age is college free in Texas?
In Texas, college is free for people who are 65 or older. Texas seniors can go to public colleges for free if they qualify for the waiver.
For those under 65 or above 55 years of age, you can apply for the tuition reduction program for seniors in any Texas public college or university. To apply for the senior citizens’ waiver in Texas, contact the college registrar to confirm if they offer the program.
Submit the required documents like high school transcripts, identity cards, birth certificates, etc. Fill out the application form and hope for the best. Not all applications are approved, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. If it doesn’t work out, you can apply for scholarships, grants, or other financial aid programs.
That’s everything on the list of colleges offering free tuition for Texas senior citizens. You can read more about Texas Education Code 54.365(c) here.
I am interested in free college courses for seniors, but does not understand what auditing courses mean.
Please help me understand.
Thank you
Margaret
In most cases you can attend class but do not participate in class room discussions. Sometimes testing is optional. You also do not receive college credit for the course. The rules may vary depending of the college.
Hi Mr. Borter,
Can I do mental health program under senior tuition waiver?