Senior Citizen Higher Education Program
State of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. 135A.51-135A.52) at Minnesota public colleges
Minnesota residents 62+ can take public-college courses tuition-free when space is available (small administrative fee for credit).
- How much
- Tuition and activity fees waived (administrative fee applies for credit courses)
- Who qualifies
- Age 62+ (or 60+ receiving a railroad retirement annuity)
- Legal resident of Minnesota; space available; institution's administrative fee for credit courses.
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, grad students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Space-available registration each term.
- How to apply
- Contact the registrar or admissions office at the Minnesota public college or University of Minnesota campus
- Register after regular registration, when space is available
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (revisor.mn.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Minnesota residents age 62 or older (60 for railroad retirement annuitants) may attend credit courses, audit credit courses, or take non-credit courses at Minnesota state universities, community and technical colleges and the University of Minnesota without paying tuition or activity fees, on a space-available basis after tuition-paying students are accommodated. Students pay materials/service charges and, for credit courses, an administrative fee set by the institution (no fee to audit). Courses designed exclusively for seniors are excluded.
More money from Minnesota
- Minnesota Student Teacher Grants (Shortage Areas and Underrepresented Student Teachers)Up to $7,500 (one-time, for the student teaching term)
- Minnesota State GrantVaries by need and cost; formula uses up to $18,071 (4-year) or $7,340 (2-year) tuition and fees plus a $12,690 living allowance (2026-27), minus family share and Pell
- North Star PromiseUp to 100% of remaining tuition and mandatory fees (last-dollar, no fixed cap)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- 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.