For some, being in school never gets old
There are many benefits to growing older. One such benefit is the ability to take courses at schools at one of the 35 colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia, but without the payment of most fees (with the exception of laboratory fees or shop fees). Seniors, 62 years of age and older, are eligible to enroll in classes for free under the Amendment 23 program.
Although these students will be taking courses for free, they still have to meet certain requirements for acceptance into the university as a senior student. They must be a resident of the state of Georgia, 62 years or older at the time of registration and be able to present proof documenting their age.
They can enroll as either an auditing student or a regular student although they will have last priority and enroll upon “space availability.” According to the Board of Regents, they must meet all University System and institution undergraduate or graduate admission requirements. However, institutions may exercise discretion in exceptional cases where circumstances indicate that certain requirements such as high school graduation and minimum test scores are inappropriate. Discretion is then left with the university at which the student is applying.
The students attend classes, turn in homework, take tests, etc., but they are not reported by their university for budgetary purposes.
Degrees can also be sought by these individuals. In order to obtain a degree, students 62 and older have to meet all the requirements, either legislated, from the university, or from the University System, that regularly admitted students have to meet. The Board of Regents also states that these students may not enroll in dental, medical, veterinary or law schools.
John Geist, 62, is one such student, currently enrolled at GCSU as an auditing student. Not only is Geist a student at GCSU, but he also teaches part-time in the Information Technology and Marketing Department.
Although Geist is currently taking undergraduate courses at GCSU, he received an undergraduate degree in business administration at Ohio State in 1975 and received a graduate degree in computer systems at the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1981.
“I don’t recall how I heard about (Amendment 23),” Geist said. “I thought perhaps it was an urban legend. So I went to the registrar’s office in the springtime of this year and I asked.”
Geist’s son, Stephen Geist, also attended GCSU. The younger Geist received his undergraduate degree in 2004 and graduate degree in 2007. Geist’s son will be getting married in Germany in May. John Geist is taking a course in German in order to prepare for his visit to Germany.
“The program gives you a great opportunity to learn something new. . It is really terrific,” Geist said.
GCSU also hosts other students in Amendment 23. In the spring of 2009, 1,020 students across the University System of Georgia received Senior Waivers according to Amendment 23. Five of those were at GCSU. This fall, seven students enrolled at GCSU are at least 62 years old. The oldest is 84.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 30 2009. Filed under News.
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