University of Minnesota Program for Older Adults Reignites Debate Over College Cost

A University of Minnesota program allowing older adults to enroll in courses at a lower tuition has intensified debate over coping with rising college costs, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune . The U's Senior Citizen Education Program showcased in a recent NBC Nightly News story was founded under a decades-old law requiring state-supported colleges and universities across Minnesota to allow residents 62 or older to audit classes for free or earn credit at $10 per credit. The university's governing board is preparing to vote on a budget proposal asking for a 2.5 percent tuition hike for undergraduates at the Twin Cities campus next fall. "Wouldn't it be great if these kinds of educational opportunities were available to ALL seniors, single parents, career-switchers, etc. at, say, community colleges across the country?" tweeted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). "Such a thing could be possible with tuition-free public colleges and universities." The University of Minnesota's Julie Selander said the school is simply complying with Minnesota law, and other states have similar ordinances. Meanwhile, as more baby boomers reach retirement age, the university's program has grown in popularity. Over 500 senior men and women enrolled during the last school year to study everything from biology to creative writing.