Senior Citizen Course Audit

UNC Charlotte allows NC residents over the age of 65 to audit courses.

Auditing Courses

With the permission of the instructor, a senior citizen may audit any course in which space is available. Auditing a course means you are registered but will not receive earned credit hours, grade point average (GPA) hours, or quality points. Audited courses do count in attempted hours.

  • Students who audit a course are expected to attend classes regularly. Participating in class discussions, tests, and/or exams are optional.
  • You can read more about course auditing policies and procedures on the Office of the Provost’s website.

Eligibility for the Senior Citizen Course Audit Program

  • Seniors 65 years of age or older, are a North Carolina resident as defined by the institution, and meet applicable admission standards are eligible to audit on a tuition-free basis

Enrolling in the course audit program

  • You may audit up to four (4) credit hours per semester.
  • Submit a request:
  • It is recommended that you first identify the course you wish to take, as well as, receive departmental/instructor approval before completing the form.

FAQs

Am I eligible for the Senior Citizen Course Audit Program?
  • Seniors 65 years of age or older, are a North Carolina resident as defined by the institution, and meets applicable admission standards are eligible to audit on a tuition-free, space available basis.

What does course auditing mean?
  • Auditing a course means you are registered but will not receive earned credit hours, grade point average (GPA) hours, or quality points. Audited courses do count in attempted hours. Students who audit are expected to attend their class(es) regularly. Participating in class discussions, tests, and/or exams are optional. You can read more about course auditing policies and procedures on the Office of the Provost’s website.

How many courses can I audit per semester?
  • You may audit up to four (4) credit hours per semester.

Do I need to submit immunization records?
  • According to the immunization policy, students who enroll in up to four (4) credit hours per semester are not required to submit immunization documents. You can read more about the immunization policy on the North Carolina Immunization Branch website.

Is there someone I can speak to regarding the Senior Citizen Course Audit Program?

How do I start the process to audit a course as a Senior Citizen?
  • To audit a course, as a senior citizen, you must complete one of these online applications. It is recommended that you first identify the course you wish to take, as well as, receive departmental/instructor approval before completing the form.

What item(s) will I need to submit when applying to the Senior Citizen Course Audit program?
  • If this is your first time participating in the audit program, you must provide verification of your age, along with a completed Senior Citizen Course Audit Form.
  • This is usually completed by scanning a copy of a government issued ID (with your date of birth visible on the ID) and uploading the attachment within the online application.
  • Please note that you must complete and submit the audit form for each semester you plan to audit a course.
  • Audit forms must be received prior to the end of the last day to add or drop a course with no grade — this date can be found on the Academic Calendar.

Where can I find a list of course offerings?
  • You can start by looking at UNC Charlotte’s schedule of classes when it posts each semester. Senior citizens take a wide range of courses, including foreign language, political science, physical fitness, and many more. If you have questions about course content or seeking permission to take a course, contact the academic department of that course. Please note that independent studies, study abroad, internships and distance education courses are not eligible for the Senior Citizen Course Audit program.

When will I be registered for my course(s)?
  • Senior citizens will be registered after the last orientation session. This is to ensure that degree-seeking students are given priority during the registration period. As such, please have alternative course options available in case your preferred option fills up! If you have not already acquired permission from the department and/or instructor to take your chosen course, we will contact the department on your behalf prior to registration.

Is there a fee associated with this program?
  • No, senior citizens taking part in the course audit program have their tuition waived. Please note, fees associated with parking, books, and specific course fees remain the responsibility of the student.

What if I want to take a course for credit?
  • Courses taken for credit are not eligible for free tuition. If you wish to take courses for credit, you may apply through Undergraduate Admissions.

How do I know what books I need?
  • Students are provided books through the Niner Course Pack Program. The fee is billed to your student account at UNC Charlotte. More information about the program, including info on opt-ing out of the program, can be found on the Niner Course Pack webpage.

What if I need academic assistance, such as tutoring?

What if I need to drop or withdraw from a course?
  • You can drop a course before the add/drop period is over, This is the sixth business day for fall, spring and summer full terms. For half terms, it is the second business day. If you would like to drop a course, email a member of the registration team (specialenrollments@charlotte.edu). You will not be permitted to drop a course on your own. Once dropped from the course, It will be removed from your academic record.
  • If you wish to withdraw from the course, you may withdraw from the course via Banner Self-Service until the posted withdrawal deadline for the term. You will receive a “W” grade on your record for that audited course.

How do I give my family access to my academic records, so they can assist me in the course audit process?
  • It is recommended to enter any persons into the Guest Access Portal that you wish to release your academic information to. This will identify who has permission to discuss your academic records with UNC Charlotte personnel.

How does parking work on campus?
  • Seniors participating in the course audit program are considered visitors to the university. Visitors are ineligible to purchase parking permits and must park in designated Visitor Parking areas paying the hourly rate. For more information on locations of Visitor Parking, visit Parking and Transportation Services.