So what can you do when you retire and want to keep your mind sharp or need to gain additional skills to stay competitive at work? For many, the  answer is to go back to school! Taking classes for fun or  to work on a degree, college is for free if you are 62 and  older and live in the state of Georgia. 

The Board of Regents of the University System of  Georgia allows anyone 62 and older to sit in on classes  where there is space available in any of the 31 Georgia’s  colleges and universities for free. Seniors have discovered  they can audit or take classes for credit and not have to  take the exams or earn a grade or they can take classes  and work toward getting a degree. Opportunities are  available for seniors to take classes that are challenging  or fun. Studies have shown that as people age, learning  something new keeps brains active and often wards off  signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia.  

A Senior Citizen Guide for College, available at  www.aseniorcitizenguideforcollege.com, provides a  comprehensive list of Georgia colleges and universities  providing reduced or free tuition for seniors over 62. It’s  easy to contact the undergraduate admissions office at  the Georgia college of your choice to find out how to  register for classes. Admission offices will provide all of the  information on registration and classes available. 

In the Atlanta area, there are many community colleges and universities offering classes either free or for a  minimal cost. If you are unable to leave your home to  attend classes, look into auditing select university classes  online. Usually the only costs are for books or lab fees. For  information on the eligibility requirements to enroll in a  Georgia college or university, visit The University System of  Georgia website.