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.

Registration for Classes

Summer I, II, III registration is closed. Classes start June 8.

Fall registration

Opens Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. - Monday, Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. Classes start Aug. 21.

Registration link available Aug. 8, 2023.

No pre-registration is required.

Late registrations can not be accommodated.

Any distance learning and course fees will be billed through the Bursar's Office. Check your kent.edu email and FlashLine for your e-bill.
Please do not:
- Email, call, visit or otherwise contact a faculty member, school director, department chair, etc. to request admission to a course.
- Attend a course if you have not been approved to do so.

Senior Guest Registration Information and Process

Registration for Kent State campuses, visit the Campus Contact Information page.
Eligibility: A person who is sixty years of age or older and has resided in the state of Ohio for at least one year.
Administrative Office will contact faculty/department and notify you about whether your course request is approved or denied
Visit the Senior Guest FAQs page for additional information.

How to Search for Classes

View Schedule of Classes
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: Kent Campus
3. Course Level: Undergraduate or Graduate
Click Class Search

Refer to the Schedule of Classes for course information required to complete the online registration.

Before you start the online registration, you will need these required items for the course you wish to attend:

Course Title
Course Level - Undergraduate/Graduate
CRN
Course / Section
Meeting Dates
Days / Time
Instructor

Tips for Getting Started

Distance Learning Fees / Flash Book Charges

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 Book Charges
Important: If your course is included in the Flash Book 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 Canvas, 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.

Questions regarding Flash Books email flashbooks@kent.edu.

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

Fees are course 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 course 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 course fees will be refunded if using a credit card.

Program Policies & Guidelines

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.