So what can you do when you retire and want to keep your mind sharp or need to gain additional skills to stay competitive at work? For many, the answer is to go back to school! Taking classes for fun or to work on a degree, college is for free if you are 62 and older and live in the state of Georgia.
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia allows anyone 62 and older to sit in on classes where there is space available in almost all of the 30 Georgia’s colleges and universities for free. Seniors have discovered they can audit or take classes for credit and not have to take the exams or earn a grade or they can take classes and work toward getting a degree. Opportunities are available for seniors to take classes that are challenging or fun. Seniors who are retired, or seniors who are thinking of retiring, can use their free time to learn something new. Studies have shown that as people age, learning something new keeps brains active and often wards off signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
A Senior Citizen Guide for College at www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com/2010/07/georgia.html provides a comprehensive list of Georgia colleges and universities providing reduced or free tuition for seniors over 62. It’s easy to contact the undergraduate admissions office at the Georgia college of your choice to find out how to register for classes. Admission offices will provide all of the information on registration and classes available.
In the Atlanta area, there are many community colleges and universities offering classes either free or for a minimal cost. If you are unable to leave your home to attend classes, look into auditing select university classes online. Usually the only costs are for books or lab fees. For information on the eligibility requirements to enroll in a Georgia college or university, visit The University System of Georgia website.
This article originally appeared in the June/July issue of the EAST COBBER magazine, on page 45. Click here to view the digital edition.
