Tuition-Free College for Delaware Residents 60 and Older
State of Delaware (University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College)
Delaware residents 60+ can take credit courses tuition free at the University of Delaware and Delaware Tech (and Delaware State University under the same law).
- How much
- Tuition and mandatory/registration fees waived (books, supplies and course/lab fees not covered)
- Who qualifies
- Age 60 or older
- Delaware resident aged 60+ at the start of the term; space-available; UD requires admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
- When to apply
- Apply any time UD: fall application May 1, spring November 1 (later on space-available basis). Delaware Tech: senior registration opens one week before each session.
- How to apply
- UD: apply and be admitted through the Over-60 Undergraduate Application (fall deadline May 1, spring November 1) or the regular graduate application
- Delaware Tech: register during the senior citizen registration period one week before the session starts
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (delcode.delaware.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
State law (14 Del. C. §§ 3478-3479) directs UD, DSU and Delaware Tech to let Delaware residents 60 or older who are degree candidates attend classes for credit or audit without application, registration or related fees, on a space-available basis. University of Delaware: residents 60+ admitted to an undergraduate or graduate degree program (or graduate certificate) pay no tuition or mandatory fees; they pay course fees, books, housing and dining; non-degree and noncredit students are excluded. Delaware Tech: residents 60+ may enroll tuition free in many credit courses (excluding Workforce Development/Community Education and competitive-admission program courses), with no registration or student services fees, during a senior registration period that opens one week before the session.
More money from Delaware
- Charles L. Hebner Memorial Scholarship$1,250/year
- Scholarship Incentive Program (ScIP)$1,000/year (undergraduate and graduate awards)
- B. Bradford Barnes Memorial ScholarshipFull tuition, required fees, room, board, and books at the University of Delaware
- Career-Based ScholarshipAmount announced by July 1, 2027 (varies with funding and applicant pool)
- Delaware State Inspire ScholarshipFull tuition for up to 8 semesters
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.