About Program 60
The Ohio State University is committed to offering diverse, quality programs and services that create a desire for lifelong learning. One such program is Program 60. Ohio residents aged 60 or older are invited to enrich their lives by experiencing the academic excellence and world-renowned research at The Ohio State University. Thousands of Ohioans take advantage of this tuition-free option to audit college-level courses each year. Program 60 participants attend courses on an instructor-permission, space-available, audit basis at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Program 60 is not a lifelong learning institute (LLI). A lifelong learning institute (LLI) is a community-based organization, often hosted by a community college or university. Members develop sessions based on their own expertise to share with others in their community. Our Lima campus hosts a Lifelong Learning Institute. While we do not offer this type of programming at other Ohio State campuses, we are happy to help you find something like this in your community.
Office Locations and Hours
Program 60's Columbus campus office is located on Central Campus in Denney Hall, Columbus, Ohio. Drop-in visits are discouraged as the Program 60 Coordinator works an irregular hybrid schedule, but we welcome requests for appointments. To request an appointment, please email program60@osu.edu or call 614-247-0868. At this time, most appointments will be conducted by telephone or Zoom, but in-person appointments may be available.
History of Program 60
While The Ohio State University President Harold L. Enarson, PhD, and his wife were visiting Colorado in 1973, he read an item in a Denver newspaper about a university program for people of retirement age. After requesting more information from the University of Denver, Dr. Enarson presented Program 65 to Ohio State’s Board of Trustees. With the board’s approval in December 1973, Associate Provost for Instruction George Crepeau, PhD, launched the program for senior citizens five days after the start of winter quarter on January 8, 1974.
Program 65 was seen as an opportunity for older persons to continue significant learning experiences for free in selected courses wherever space was available. To participate, individuals were required to be 65 or older and residents of Ohio. Previous university attendance was not a prerequisite, and tests or exams were optional. Registration was handled through the Office of Continuing Education, so participants were not officially admitted to the university, and no credit hours would be given toward degrees. Finally, special identification cards were issued, and various parking and library privileges were accommodated. By the end of the first year, enrollment totaled 185 men and women in approximately 200 different courses.
Encouraged by the successes of Program 65 at Ohio State, the Ohio legislature passed Senate Bill 497 on April 29, 1976, requiring all state-supported colleges and universities to permit senior citizens age 60 or older to attend classes on a non-tuition, noncredit, space-available basis. As a result, Enarson immediately lowered Ohio State's age requirement to 60, and the program name became Program 60.
Directed from the enthusiasm of many participants in Program 65 and then Program 60 toward creating an organization focused on social interaction and community service, the Program 60 Association was formed in 1989. The association provided additional opportunities for connection by hosting cultural and social events. In August 2025, the Program 60 Association trustees voted to disband the association due to rising costs for events and declining membership. Many former Program 60 Association members continue to enroll in classes through Program 60.
In July 2025, Vice Provost Jason Lemon and Executive Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences David Horn jointly announced that the administration of Program 60 would move to the College of Arts and Sciences.
Contact Program 60
We're here to help you achieve your academic goals. For general aid and questions about Program 60 at the Columbus campus, please email program60@osu.edu. If you have questions about your Ohio State username (last name.#), please contact the IT Help Desk at 614-688-4357(HELP).