Is it time for an education refresh? If your job was downsized during COVID-19, you’re looking for a new path, or just want to catch up with the world, the Senior Tuition Waiver Program at Massachusetts’ community colleges is a bargain way to up your skills!
Prime spoke with representatives from both Holyoke Community College (HCC) and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) to get the facts on how the programs work at their schools. Here’s what they shared:
“At HCC, the tuition waiver program predates me and I’ve been here for 25 years. It was originally designed for personal enrichment, but it is so much more than that,” said Linda Scott, director of Academic Advising Services for HCC. “Every community college’s approach to this program is different – and there are 15 community colleges in the state. But I think the senior tuition waiver program at HCC is the most robust and advantageous for the over-60 student looking for personal enrichment or to get a degree or program certificate. It’s the best deal in town.”
Scott added the pandemic kept participation down in 2020, but that HCC usually sees “40 to 50 Senior Tuition Waiver students per year.”
Darcy Kemp, vice president of Student Affairs at STCC, explained, “STCC is a diverse learning environment that welcomes students of all ages. We’re pleased to offer a great opportunity to older learners. Our students over 60 have enjoyed the benefit of tuition and fee waivers if they’ve met certain requirements. We believe it’s never too late to take classes and get a degree or certificate. The program for older learners goes to the heart of our mission to support students as they transform their lives.”
“At HCC it’s everything – there are no restrictions – we have a combination of 100 degrees and certificate programs available to students. Our core majors are liberal arts, business services, foundation of health, many certificate programs and what I’ve seen over the years is that students take advantage of these programs primarily for enrichment. The majority of our elder students take basic computer classes, art classes and history classes. The call for history classes is on the rise,” said Scott.
According to the STCC website, the college offers a program of 88 degrees and certificates, all of which are open for elders to apply for admission to, or register for applicable classes in, as the courses become available.
“At HCC, its $50 per semester whether they take one credit or 15 credits,” Scott said. “Students 60 years of age and older must wait until two weeks before the semester starts to register for classes; by that time we have made any adjustments to the schedule to reflect what classes are open and available.
“After that $50 per semester charge, per credit tuition and student fees are free, but students must pay for any books, additional lab fees, etc.” Visit https://www.hcc.edu/admission/senior-waiver for complete application information.
According to the STCC website, “Senior Citizens (those who turn 60 before the start of the semester) enjoy an added benefit of tuition and fee waivers provided they meet certain requirements…at the start of each semester, seniors must: be a resident of Massachusetts; apply to STCC, and be accepted into a degree or certificate program; show proof of age (age 60 before the start of the semester); make satisfactory academic progress while enrolled at STCC; and not be in default of any student loans. Classes offered during the fall and spring semesters during the weekdays (generally noted on the College Schedule as “D” sections) at STCC are eligible for a full exemption of tuition and fees (for seniors). Classes offered weekdays at 4 p.m. or later, or online, or on weekends, and during summer and winter terms (generally noted on the College Schedule as “E” sections) are eligible for an exemption of tuition only. The tuition/fee waiver program does not apply to non-credit courses.” Visit https://www.stcc.edu/apply/get-started/senior-citizens/ for complete application information.
