For senior citizens, the thought of going back to school may feel impossible. Barriers arise, like the thought of being too old, or lacking the funds or knowledge to apply and be successful. While these challenges seem insurmountable, Program 60+ at The Ohio State University makes it possible for seniors to beat these challenges and earn their degree later in life.
Program 60+, administered by the Office of Distance Education and eLearning, is a tuition-free college program for income-eligible Ohio residents 60 years of age or older. The program was established so seniors with a family income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can earn college credit toward a degree. One senior who was able to go back to school because of this program is Mary Sheskey, a now Ohio State graduate with her Master of Social Work degree.
Knowing not everyone will have a similar experience, Sheskey hopes to inspire others her age to go back and get a degree, and ultimately live their passion. If you’re interested in learning more about Program 60, visit their website.