60+ Tuition Exemption Program

If you are 60 years old or older AND a resident of South Carolina, you can enroll in classes at the College of Charleston. Each semester, approximately 400 60+ students enroll in classes at the College. These students may be auditing classes or taking courses for credit.

While 60+ students do not pay tuition, there is a $50 registration fee. Also, students may need to purchase books and may have additional course fees

If you are interested in earning an undergraduate or graduate degree, you must maintain active student status and complete the application for undergraduate admission or the graduate online application.

Maintain Active Student Status

Students are responsible for maintaining active status as a College of Charleston student. If a student is not enrolled for one semester, they must contact the Office of Admissions to request reactivation in order to register for courses. Students who are not enrolled for two semesters or more must reapply for admission to the College. Summer enrollments are not considered in determining continuing enrollment status for the fall.

Documentation Required

All students must provide proof of U.S. citizenship before being allowed to enroll. 60+ students must also present a valid South Carolina driver's license or picture ID for age and residency verification. In order to verify South Carolina residency, the identification must have been issued at least one year prior to enrollment. If the license does not meet the timeframe, please contact the Office of Legal Residency. 

Registration

Important Information from the Registrar's Office.

Course descriptions are available in the undergraduate catalog. In the top right corner, select the correct catalog year in the drop-down menu.

Tuition & Fees

Visit the Treasurer's Office regarding tuition and fees.

The College accepts MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You can pay your $50 registration fee, in addition to any applicable course fees, online using your MyPortal account. You may also pay at the Treasurer's Office (No. 10 on the campus map) by check or credit card. The Treasurer's Office is located at 170 Calhoun Street.

Graduate School

60+ students may apply at the Graduate level as either non-degree or degree-seeking students through the Graduate School website.

Note that applications and all required materials must be submitted prior to the deadline indicated for the program desired. Information on program-specific materials and deadlines can be found on the list of program requirement checklists. All graduate applications are reviewed by the individual program, whether degree or non-degree seeking.

Those wishing to be categorized as 60+ students must bring the following to the Graduate School Office, 310 Randolph Hall, where they will determine eligibility: 

The graduate application fee DOES NOT include the $50 registration fee. Successful graduate candidates enrolling under the 60+ Student Tuition Exemption Program must pay the $50 registration fee each semester. 

Other older adult education options