Law allows Utah seniors to go back to college for very low cost
Mar 28, 2018, 9:08 PM | Updated: Mar 29, 2018, 12:09 am
SALT LAKE CITY – If you’re 62 or older and a resident of Utah, you are eligible to take college courses as an audit student at most Universities for a mere $25 per semester — total.
“That’s per semester not per class, so if your class doesn’t require any special additional fees, you could take three classes and that would be $25,” said Tracey Arlen, University of Utah advisor for the Continuing Education — HB60 program.
The HB60 program, created in 1977 by the Legislatures House Bill 60, allows older Utahans to audit classes at any public university in the entire state of Utah. Seniors are allowed to register on a space-available basis. HB60 students do not take tests, do homework, nor do they write papers. They simply participate in discussions and enjoy pressure-free learning.
“I think more people should take advantage of it,” said Rick Bliss, 64, a current HB60 Program student at the University of Utah.
Every Monday and Wednesday Bliss hops on Frontrunner from his home in Bluffdale, then connects at the Trax station in Murray to the U, an hour long trek each way.
“Just because you retire, doesn’t mean your mind does,” said Bliss.
He’s currently enrolled as an audit for a Thermal Quantum Physics course. He’s working on a book— centered around the ‘Big Bang Theory.’ As a retired engineer of 30 years, his goal for taking classes is to help him answer a life-long question. “Where did we come from?”
The physics course is helping him shape his theory for his book.
“I think it’s important… to keep learning… it makes life worth living too,” Bliss said.
To learn more about the program visit: Continue.utah.edu/hb60
