Senior Citizens
Senior Citizen Policy
The Senior Citizen Policy allows retired Pennsylvania residents to enroll in West Chester University courses tuition free on a space-available basis. Students may enroll as either degree or non-degree students and may audit or take courses for credit. The program does not include internships, independent study, individualized instruction, student teaching, thesis/dissertation, seminar, or any similar course requiring extra faculty compensation for the additional enrollment.
The tuition fee waiver does not include the costs for course materials or fees associate with Inclusive Access, if the instructor has opted to use Inclusive Access for course materials or textbooks. For more information regarding Inclusive Access, please review the WCU Campus Bookstore website.
Senior Wavier Requirements
In order to qualify as a Senior Citizen and be eligible for the tuition waiver:
- Students must be at least 60 years old,
- Students must have been Pennsylvania residents for at least a year,
- Retired, and
- Submit a copy of a Pennsylvania state ID or driver's license.
Senior Citizen Registration
To register for classes and utilize the senior citizen waiver, students must complete the Senior Citizen Enrollment & Audit Form , obtain the signature of the teaching faculty member, and submit it to the Registrar's Office. Forms will not be processed until the first day of class and requests reviewed for available space.
New non-degree students must apply as a non-degree student prior to being registered. It is best to apply and ensure your student account has been created prior to the start of the term. Returning non-degree students must reapply once a year to renew their account. Non-degree records will be active from Summer (mid-May) through the end of the Spring term (early May) each year. Once your account is active, you only need to submit the registration form for each term you wish to enroll in.
Degree-seeking students who meet the requirements above and wish to utilize the tuition waiver must wait until the first day of class to be registered. The senior citizen tuition waiver program is only available if space is available (i.e. course is open with available seats). Degree-seeking students who meet the requirements of the program, but do not want to wait to be registered or do not wish to use the waiver, may register when their registration period begins and will be responsible for the cost of attendance. Waivers are not applied retroactively.
Required Supporting Documentation
For non-degree students, along with the Non-Degree Application, the student must submit the following:
- A copy of their Pennsylvania state ID or driver’s license.
- Proof that necessary prerequisite coursework and/or minimum performance competencies have been met.
- To enroll into graduate level courses: Student must provide verification of an undergraduate degree in the form of an unofficial transcript, copy of their diploma, or a degree verification from their undergraduate institution.
Application Process and Next Steps for Non-Degree Senior Citizens
1 Check Out Available Classes
Start by exploring the classes you're interested in!
2 Fill Out the Non-Degree Application
Review instructions and complete the Undergraduate or Graduate application.
3 Set Up Your RamNet ID Network Account
Once you receive your RamNet ID number, create your account. Your account is your access to student portals such as RamPortal, D2L, Webmail and more! Follow these steps to Set-up Your New Student Account.
4 Access Your WCU Email Account
Don't forget to use your WCU email for all communication with staff and faculty!
5 Check the Academic Calendar
Look at the calendar and make sure to attend the first day of class.
6 Start Your Enrollment Paperwork
Complete the Senior Citizen Course Enrollment & Audit Selection Form :
- Identify your course(s) of interest using the browse classes function in RamPortal.
- Review and complete the FEE WAIVER section on the enrollment form.
- Review and complete the Financial Terms & Conditions Agreement on the enrollment form.
7 Get Your Instructor's Approval
You'll need their signature to finish your Enrollment Form. You can get the signature during the first day of class to confirm there's space.
- You will not be registered for any course prior to the beginning of the class and need to follow the add/drop deadlines for the course.
- Courses are only available if enrollment seats are still available.
8 Submit Your Forms to the Registrar's Office
Submit your Senior Citizen Course Enrollment & Audit Selection Form to the Registrar's Office at 25 University Ave, Suite 020, West Chester, PA, 19380 or by email to registrar@wcupa.edu. Once it is received, the Registrar's Office will take care of your registration and send the fee waiver to the Bursar's Office.
- You can't submit the Enrollment Form before the semester starts.
- The Senior Citizen Policy allows retired Pennsylvania residents, 60 years or older, to attend West Chester University tuition free on a space-available basis.
- Scheduling may take several business days after form submission.
- Any book fees, including but not limited to, the inclusive access fee, is not covered by the waiver and you are responsible for making payment.