Under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act, senior citizens who have been domiciled in Virginia for one year are eligible to take up to 3 classes at no charge under certain circumstances.
Eligibility
Credit Courses: Virginia residents who meet the following criteria may be eligible to take courses offered for academic credit, without paying tuition:
- Be 60 years of age or older
- Be admitted to the college as an in-state student and domiciled in Virginia one year
- Have an individual taxable income not exceeding $23,850 for state income tax purposes for the year preceding the year in which enrollment is sought.
- Provide required documentation:
- Valid photo ID displaying birthdate OR photo ID and birth certificate
- If required to file taxes, copy of the previous year’s Virginia Tax Return OR U.S. Federal Income Tax Return
- If not required to file taxes, copy of most recent Social Security statement.
- Additional information as requested by Enrollment Management staff
- Completed Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver Form
Audit: Virginia residents who meet the following criteria may AUDIT (no grade/credit awarded) classes free of charge regardless of income:
- · Be 60 years of age or older
- · Be admitted to the college as an in-state student and domiciled in Virginia one year
- · Required documentation:
- Valid photo ID displaying birthdate OR photo ID and birth certificate
- Additional information as requested by Enrollment Management staff
- Completed Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver Form
Non-credit Workforce Development Classes: Senior citizens 60 and over are eligible to take non-credit courses through Workforce Development regardless of income. Register for these courses by contacting or visiting our Workforce Development office. Do not complete the tuition waiver form.
Enrollment Guidelines, Time Frames, and Limitations
Prerequisites
- All students must be admitted to the College by completing the VPCC application
- Prerequisites, as outlined in the College Catalog, must be met for all courses either at VPCC or by showing completion of equivalent courses at another college/university. Prerequisites may be waived by the Academic Division.
- Students may be required to submit unofficial transcripts or be assessed for preparedness using other measures.
- For courses in programs with restricted admission (Nursing), all students must apply and be admitted to the program.
Course Enrollment
- Tuition-paying and degree/certificate seeking students are accommodated in courses before those enrolling under this policy will be registered.
- Students may not attend a class until their enrollment is confirmed.
- No limit is placed on the number of semesters in which a student who is enrolled under this policy may register for courses, but the individual is limited to a maximum of 3 courses per semester.
- To guarantee space in a class, students can also register and pay as a tuition-paying student. However, those who apply for the tuition waiver after registering and paying for a class are not eligible for a refund.
Registration Process
- Students enrolling under this policy are not permitted to register for classes themselves using SIS or Navigate.
- Complete and submit a Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver Form before the beginning of each session (not semester), as well as provide required documentation verifying age and income.
- Registration begins no earlier than the day before the start of a class (not semester).
- Exception: those pursuing a degree who have completed seventy-five (75%) percent of the requirements for a degree may register at the same time as tuition-paying students. ·
- Those seeking to audit a course will need to gain permission from the appropriate Academic Division prior to registration.
- If courses are not all held during the same session, separate tuition waiver forms must be submitted for each session. More than one class may be included on the waiver if the sessions are the same.
Fees & Books
- Students are responsible for fees associated with course materials, such as books, laboratory, or IncludED fees.
- Fees must be paid by 5 p.m. the next business day after registration to avoid being dropped from the class.
- Purchase necessary course materials through the College Bookstore.
Grading and Degree Progress
- Audited classes will receive a grade of ‘X’ and will not award credit towards program completion.
- Waiver students are eligible to work towards program completion but must follow the guidelines on this page.
Continuing Education/Non-Degree Seeking Students
Credit Courses
- Apply to the College. Continuing Education/Non-degree seeking students will be admitted as non-curricular students.
- After application, students should explore the course schedule and may register using SIS. These students may need assistance with registration if prerequisites have not been met at VPCC. Contact Records and Registration or visit our offices in person.
- Prerequisites, as outlined in the College Catalog, must be met for all courses either at VPCC or by showing completion of equivalent courses at another college/university. Prerequisites may be waived by the Academic Division.
- Continuing education students may be required to submit unofficial college transcripts or be assessed for preparedness using other measures.
- For courses in programs with restricted admission (Nursing), all students must apply and be admitted to the program in order to register.
- Once registered, students may pay online, over the phone, or in-person by the tuition deadline.
Non-Credit/Workforce Courses
· Explore programs
· Call us for more information or to register (757) 825-4070 or make an appointment to meet with one of our advisors.