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Students older than 65 may take classes for free in Oregon
Bill passed by the House would allow students 65 and older to audit university classes for free
Makenzie Marineau
Issue date: 5/27/09 Section: News
A bill passed the Oregon House unanimously on Wednesday, May 6, that would allow people 65 and older to audit courses in Oregon's public universities and community colleges tuition-free. House Bill 2011 passed the House but still must win support from Senate.
There are additional conditions considered before someone can gain the benefits of the bill: there must be space available in the class, course department must give permission to the student, the student must be registered for eight or fewer credits per term and auditing students have to pay extra costs for classes such as lab fees.
Most Oregon universities already allow students 65 and older to audit a course for free as long as space is permitting in the course. But community colleges in Oregon still have older students paying full tuition or, in some cases, receiving a discount on tuition but not for free.
The bill has a good chance of winning the Senate's approval. According to legislative analysts the bill has minimal financial impact.
The Senior Center in Corvallis holds a whole variety of classes in conjunction with Linn-Benton Community College including wellness classes, computer and science courses and foreign language classes, among others.
"Right now people have to be 62 and older to get any reduction on their tuition but the classes aren't free for anyone," Senior Center Supervisor Theresa Brand said.
There is a large group of seniors who are 65 and older trying to further their education in the Corvallis area. In the fall term of 2007 there was around 900 senior citizens 65 and older taking credit and non-credit courses through Linn-Benton Community College, said director of College Advancement and Public Information officer for Linn-Benton, Marlene Propst.
"Over the course of a term there is an estimated 900 to 1,000 students who are 65 and older enrolled in courses at LBCC."
For those students furthering their education late in their years, this bill will help the ones already enrolled in schools such as LBCC and open the doors for others who would like to pursue more knowledge on certain subjects.
The Benton Center and the Corvallis Senior Centers are places for seniors to stay active and take courses in fitness or art and believe that allowing people 65 and older will let more participants stay or be involved. Some classes offered can cost senior citizens up to $100 if they are from out-of-city or $80 if they live in the Corvallis area.
State Rep. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, a professor at Portland Community College believes that education for older adults is good for them and keeps their minds engaged. Dembrow also feels that it is good for the other students to have diversity in their classes.
Currently at Oregon State University people 65 and older are allowed to audit classes for free. People above the age of 65 must be registered at OSU and go through a process of obtaining a fee code to take courses without tuition.
Makenzie Marineau, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
There are additional conditions considered before someone can gain the benefits of the bill: there must be space available in the class, course department must give permission to the student, the student must be registered for eight or fewer credits per term and auditing students have to pay extra costs for classes such as lab fees.
Most Oregon universities already allow students 65 and older to audit a course for free as long as space is permitting in the course. But community colleges in Oregon still have older students paying full tuition or, in some cases, receiving a discount on tuition but not for free.
The bill has a good chance of winning the Senate's approval. According to legislative analysts the bill has minimal financial impact.
The Senior Center in Corvallis holds a whole variety of classes in conjunction with Linn-Benton Community College including wellness classes, computer and science courses and foreign language classes, among others.
"Right now people have to be 62 and older to get any reduction on their tuition but the classes aren't free for anyone," Senior Center Supervisor Theresa Brand said.
There is a large group of seniors who are 65 and older trying to further their education in the Corvallis area. In the fall term of 2007 there was around 900 senior citizens 65 and older taking credit and non-credit courses through Linn-Benton Community College, said director of College Advancement and Public Information officer for Linn-Benton, Marlene Propst.
"Over the course of a term there is an estimated 900 to 1,000 students who are 65 and older enrolled in courses at LBCC."
For those students furthering their education late in their years, this bill will help the ones already enrolled in schools such as LBCC and open the doors for others who would like to pursue more knowledge on certain subjects.
The Benton Center and the Corvallis Senior Centers are places for seniors to stay active and take courses in fitness or art and believe that allowing people 65 and older will let more participants stay or be involved. Some classes offered can cost senior citizens up to $100 if they are from out-of-city or $80 if they live in the Corvallis area.
State Rep. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, a professor at Portland Community College believes that education for older adults is good for them and keeps their minds engaged. Dembrow also feels that it is good for the other students to have diversity in their classes.
Currently at Oregon State University people 65 and older are allowed to audit classes for free. People above the age of 65 must be registered at OSU and go through a process of obtaining a fee code to take courses without tuition.
Makenzie Marineau, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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