I've heard that you can take college classes for free after retirement, but isn't it starting at 60? You've probably heard this at Korean community gatherings.

To answer based on Boise, that's half right and half wrong. There is no universal "free classes at 60" rule; it varies by school in terms of age and fees.

Let's clarify the terminology first. Auditing a class means attending without receiving credit or grades. Think of it as a light version of college without the stress of exams.

First, let's look at Boise State University. According to Policy 3220, the free audit program is available to Idaho residents who are 65 years or older.

According to the school's guidelines, the 65-year age requirement has been in effect since the fall semester of 2019. You must be 65 before the semester starts, so if your birthday is the week after classes begin, unfortunately, you'll have to wait until the next semester.

The costs are straightforward. The audit fee is $0, but you will need to pay separate fees for lab or materials associated with specific classes.

If you want to earn credits, that's a different story. Seniors must pay the full tuition for credit courses.

There's a catch. You can only enroll if there are available seats, and if there are students on the waitlist, auditors may be dropped within five days after classes start.

If you're aiming for popular classes, it's a good idea to choose an alternative course as well. It's much better than scrambling if you get dropped in the first week.

To apply, you start by applying as a non-degree student, meaning you're not pursuing a degree. The admissions FAQ states that you need your final high school transcript and a non-refundable application fee.

It's unclear from the guidelines whether Idaho resident seniors also pay this fee. It's best to check with the admissions office before applying.

If you graduated high school in Korea, be sure to ask how to submit your transcript. It's a bit funny that the biggest hurdle for free classes is a transcript from decades ago.

After admission, you register during the open enrollment period. According to the academic calendar for the spring semester of 2027, non-degree student registration starts on December 14, 2026, and the regular session begins on January 11, 2027.

The deadline to switch between auditing and credit enrollment is January 25. If you find yourself wanting to earn credits after starting the class, you need to decide by this date.

Not everything is free. The Recreation Center, school health services, and student sports tickets are not benefits for auditors. You'll have to give up plans to watch the blue turf games for free.

So what about those aged 60 to 64? You don't have to sit idly by. First, check out the College of Western Idaho, abbreviated as CWI.

CWI offers residents aged 60 and older a 50% discount on in-district tuition for lower-division courses, which are typically for first and second-year students. For the 2026-2027 academic year, that's $172 per credit, so it would be $86, making a 3-credit course $258.

While it's not free, it's quite reasonable if you want to earn credits and grades. However, upper-division courses and materials are at full price.

You also need to consider your county of residence. According to the catalog, if you're not a resident of designated counties like Ada or Canyon, or if you don't have a Certificate of Residency approval, you'll pay out-of-district rates without any discounts.

It can be confusing regarding CWI's auditing policy. The catalog states that regular tuition and fees apply to audits and that registrar approval is required. It's not specified whether the 50% discount for seniors applies to auditing, so be sure to ask before registering.

If tuition and grades are a burden, there's a third option. Boise State's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers a non-credit program for adults aged 50 and older.

According to the school's introduction page, the membership fee is $120 per academic year, and spring semester registration opens in December. This program is separate from the free auditing benefit, so it does not apply if you're over 65.

Rules vary even within Idaho. The verification form from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston states that there's a limit of 6 credits per semester for those aged 60 and part-time.

To summarize, if you're 65 or older and don't need credits, go for the Boise State audit.

If you're in your early 60s and want to earn grades, choose CWI. If you want to avoid paperwork and socialize with peers, go for Osher.

If it were me, I'd start with an introductory course at CWI in my early 60s and switch to Boise State auditing once I turn 65.

I think it's a great program that public universities offer to open up these seats. After all, there's no reason to deny an adult who has paid taxes for years a seat in a class that would otherwise be empty. Honestly, I wish the age threshold was a bit lower.

From my long observation, the most engaged students in the classroom are usually those who don't need credits. Isn't it a win just to have a new topic at the dinner table?

Since the criteria can change, be sure to check before registering. Boise State Student Financial Services can be reached at 208-426-1212, and CWI Student Accounts at 208-562-3000.

If you're considering taking multiple credit courses, it also ties into retirement funding plans. It varies by individual circumstances, so be sure to consult a financial expert.