Education
Institutions of higher education
Texas law allows state-supported institutions of higher education to offer courses to older adults free or at a reduced rate. Implementation of these programs, however, is left to the discretion of each institution. Each institution may set additional requirements for students to qualify for the discounted tuition and/or may charge different rates for the programs, campuses, and courses. The following programs may be available through public institutions of higher education:
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People aged 65-plus may be allowed to audit any college course offered by the institution at no charge if space is available. (Education Code 54.210(b))
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People aged 65-plus may enroll for credit in up to six hours of courses offered by the institution each semester or summer term without payment, if space is available. (Education Code 54.210(c))
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People aged 55-plus may be charged tuition and fees at a rate lower than those established by the Texas State University System if space is available. (Education Code 54.067)
Between FY 2001 and 2003, the number of older adults auditing courses under Education Code 54.210(b) dropped from 379 to 266, a decrease of 30 percent. However, the number of older Texans enrolled in six hours of courses through Education Code 54.210(c) increased by 57 percent, and the number of older Texans enrolled through Education Code 54.067 increased by only 3 percent.
Based on data available through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, older adults are more likely to enroll in a community or technical college than a university. During the 2002 Fall Semester, 63 percent of older adults (50+) enrolled in an institution of higher education were enrolled in a community or technical college.
Updated: November 2, 2007
