About Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning is the continuing pursuit of knowledge to build skills, explore new ideas, enhance understanding and enrich life. All state colleges and universities offer the over-60 learner the opportunity to attend classes at no cost, but many institutions and organizations support efforts to provide an enhanced continuing education experience for older learners.
Lifelong Learning Institutes
A lifelong learning institute (LLI), or institute for learning in retirement (ILR), is a community-based organization of retirement-age people interested in continuing their educations beyond retirement. Most are sponsored by a college or university and provide non-credit academic programs developed by the members. LLIs are structured like typical college programs, with regular semesters and coursework.
The following institutions offer lifelong learning institutes in Ohio:
- Bluffton University: Institute for Learning in Retirement
- Baldwin-Wallace College: Institute for Learning in Retirement
- Bowling Green State University, Firelands Campus: Elder College
- Case Western Reserve University: Senior Scholar (Office of Continuing Education)
- Central Ohio Technical College: Lifelong Learning Institute
- University of Cincinnati: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
- Clark State Community College: Continuing Education
- Cuyahoga Community College: Encore Campus
- University of Dayton: Senior Programs
- University of Findlay: Senior Forum - Call 419-434-4672 for information
- Franciscan University of Steubenville: Academy of Lifelong Learning
- Lorain County Community College: Center for Lifelong Learning
- Lourdes College: Lifelong Learning
- Mahoning Valley Lifelong Learning Institute: Lifelong Learning Institute
- Marietta College: Institute for Learning in Retirement
- Marion Technical College & OSU at Marion: Learning Enrichment Institute (LEI)
- Miami University: Institute for Learning in Retirement
- Northwest State Community College: Center for Lifelong Learning
- The Ohio State University at Lima: Lifelong Learning Institute
- Sinclair Community College: College for Lifelong Learning
- Terra Community College: Elder College
- Youngstown State University Metro College: Institute for Learning In Retirement
Free College Courses
Ohio's four-year universities and two-year technical colleges allow residents age 60 and older to attend classes at no cost. Participation is limited to classes with space available and must be approved by the instructor. In most cases, no college credit is earned and some costs (such as books, equipment and lab fees) may apply. Contact the admissions or registrar's office of a participating college or university for more details. Be sure to ask about class availability at regional and affiliated campuses near you.
The following colleges and universities offer free courses for Older Ohioans:
- University of Akron: 60 Plus (60+) Program
- Belmont College: Lifelong Learning
- Bowling Green State University: Senior Adult Grants for Educations (SAGE) Program
- Central Ohio Technical College: COTC Senior Services (Program 60)
- Central State University: Senior Citizen Enrollment
- Cincinnati State Technical & Community College: Senior Citizens
- University of Cincinnati: Senior Audit Program
- Clark State Community College: Continuing Education
- Cleveland State University: Project 60
- Columbus State Community College: Good as Gold
- Cuyahoga Community College: Program 60
- Eastern Gateway Community College: Senior Citizens
- Edison Community College: Contact Admissions
- Hocking College: Contact Admissions
- Kent State University: Senior Guest Program
- Lakeland Community College: Senior Citizen Audit
- Lorain County Community College: Senior Citizen Registration
- Marion Technical College: Sixty Plus
- Miami University: Senior Enrollment
- North Central State College: Program 60
- Northwest State Community College: Senior Citizen Discount
- The Ohio State University: Program 60 (Office of Continuing Education)
- Ohio University: Lifelong Learning
- James A. Rhodes State College: Contact Admissions
- Owens Community College: Contact Admissions
- University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College: Adult and Community Education
- Shawnee State University: Senior Citizens
- Sinclair Community College: Golden Age Classes
- Southern State Community College: Contact Admissions
- Stark State College: Senior Citizen Discount
- Terra Community College: Lifelong Learning
- University of Toledo: Program 60
- Washington State Community College: Lifelong Learning Students
- Wright State University: Senior Citizens 60 and Up Enrollment Program
- Youngstown State University: College for the Over Sixty
- Zane State College: Fee Waiver for Senior Citizens