Senior Guest Program

The Senior Guest program at Kent State University enables persons 60 years of age or older to audit Kent State courses on a tuition-free, space-available basis.

Senior guests are responsible for the purchase of textbooks, transportation, parking and any other course fees, as well as the per credit hour distance learning fee assessed for all online classes.

Senior guests do not receive grades, and no credit is awarded. Senior guests may request to enroll in one to two courses per semester during a designated enrollment period. In all cases, the faculty member's decision is final.

Senior Guest Registration Information and Process

This registration is for courses at the Columbiana County campus only. To find registration for all other Kent State campuses, visit the Campus Contact Information page.
Eligibility: Any person who is sixty years of age or older and who has resided in the state of Ohio for at least one year.
Senior Guest admission to courses is by faculty approval. Shelly Weekley will contact the faculty member and notify you about whether your course request has been approved.
Senior guests enrolling in on-campus courses should review the following important safety protocols.
Visit the Senior Guest FAQs page for additional information.

REGISTRATION

SPRING 2024 REGISTRATION BEGINS JAN. 2

Registration will take place Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 10 a.m. through Monday, Jan. 8, at 5 p.m.

Registration link will be available on Jan. 2.

For more information, please email infocolumbiana@kent.edu or call 330-385-3805 for Kent State East Liverpool or 330-332-0361 for Kent State Salem.

HOW TO SEARCH FOR CLASSES

Go to www.kent.edu/columbiana
Click on the Schedule of Classes Icon
Select the Term you wish to attend
Click the Detailed Class Search button
You must select these required fields, but can enter other information to narrow your search, such as Course Number, if you know it:
1. Subject: at least one subject must be selected
2. Campus: East Liverpool Campus or Salem Campus
3. Course Level: Undergraduate
Click Search

SENIOR GUEST RESOURCES

FLASHcard - YOUR KENT STATE ID

Senior guests are eligible to receive a Kent State University FLASHcard, the preferred method of identification on campus. You can get a FLASHcard in the Office of Student Services. Be sure to bring a photo ID with you.

Distance Learning and Material Fees

Senior Guests are responsible for the payment of all course fees covering materials and supplies, as well as, the $15 per credit hour distance learning fee assessed for all online courses. Senior Guests are also responsible for the purchase of books.

Flash Books Charge
Important: If your course is included in the Flash Books Program you will automatically receive, and be billed for, the digital textbook.

To Opt-Out: To opt-out of Flash Books, login to your course in Blackboard, select the Flash Books icon, and select the opt-out link in the top menu. Follow the directions in the opt-out link to complete the opt-out process. By opting out, you are responsible for obtaining the required course materials outlined by your instructor for your course.

Content Type: eTextbook content is accessed by clicking on the Flash Books icon in your Blackboard course. Publisher Courseware is made available by your instructor through a separate link in your Blackboard course.

Fees are base fees and distance learning fees ($15.00 per credit hour).

In order to determine whether your selected course(s) requires a fee, visit the Schedule of Classes. Once you have located your course, click on the dollar sign icon. See the image below for additional guidance.

Senior Guest Fee Example

If your course does not require a distance learning or materials fee, no further action is required.

Please contact us by email at continuinged@kent.edu with any questions.

Please note: If you are not granted permission to enroll in your selected course, distance learning and material fees will be refunded if using a credit card.

Program Policies and Guidelines

Admission to courses is by faculty approval only. The Senior Guest administrator will contact the faculty member and notify you whether your course request has been approved or denied.
Course requests will be submitted as soon as possible. However, we cannot guarantee admission by the start of classes. A variety of unavoidable factors may result in Senior Guests beginning a course as late as a week after the official start date.
Remember that courses are first and foremost intended to serve the needs of the students who are enrolled for credit. Therefore, we ask that Senior Guests not engage in behaviors that are troublesome or inappropriate.
Senior Guests may select up to two (2) courses and one (1) alternate.
The following programs are NOT included in the Senior Guest program: architecture, fashion, nursing, theatre, and independent study.

Please read the full list of program policies and guidelines below before submitting your registration.

All Senior Guest Program Guidelines (Text) (PDF)

Getting Started in Your Online Course

This section is for courses that are created to be fully online.

One of the key factors in being successful in online courses is effectively utilizing resources. This page provides a list of comprehensive support services, including tips and tricks for getting your computer ready, strategies to be a successful online student, policies, and direct links to student academic services.

View all Available Online Degrees.