Senior Guest Program

The Senior Guest program at Kent State University enables persons 60 years of age or older to audit Kent State courses on a tuition-free, space-available basis, with university approval.

Senior guests are responsible for the purchase of textbooks, transportation, parking and any other course fees, as well as the per credit hour distance learning fee assessed for all online classes. Senior guests do not receive grades, and no credit is awarded. Senior Guests may select up to two (2) courses and one (1) alternative during a designated enrollment period. The following programs are NOT included in the Senior Guest program: Architecture, Fashion, Nursing, Theatre, Kent Blossom Art and independent study.

Senior Guests who do not attend, and do not drop, a course in which they are enrolled will be assessed all related fees. Deadlines are listed in the Schedule of Classes. Senior Guests may drop classes via FlashLine (https://flashline.kent.edu/FlashLine) or by contacting the Senior Guest program at 330-672-3100.

Senior Guests should check their kent.edu email accounts for updates and e-bills.

Kent Campus Parking:

Senior Guests may park in the Kent Student Center Visitor’s Lot, for up to two (2) hours, at no charge, with a Golden Buckeye Card and a card issued from Parking Services.
Kent State Golden Buckeye Permits will be needed to exit the Student Center Lot (cash will not be accepted).
Kent State Golden Buckeye Permits are available, free of charge at KSU Parking Services.
Please bring your Driver's License, Golden Buckeye Card & License Plate Number to
800 E Summit Street, Michael Schwartz Center, Room 123

For more information on parking options or to purchase a permit for other campus lots: contact Parking Services at: parking@kent.edu or 330-672-4432 or visit www.kent.edu/parking.

Senior Guest Spring 2025 Registration

Spring 2025 registration starts January 3, 2025 10:00 a.m. - January 7, 2025 5:00 p.m.
A link will be available January 3.

No pre-registration is required.
Late registrations cannot be accommodated.
Any distance learning and course fees will be billed through the Bursar's Office. Check your kent.edu email and FlashLine for your e-bill.
If you have any outstanding balance, we will not be able to register you until this is cleared with the Bursar's office.
The senior guest administrator will contact faculty/department and notify you by email, if your course request is approved or denied.

Note:

Please do not email, call, visit or otherwise contact a faculty member, school director, department chair, etc., to request admission to a course. In all cases, the university's decision is final.
Please do not attend a course if you have not been approved to do so.
To successfully participate in this program, you must have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet. You will need to have internet access, know how to navigate websites, and be able to participate in an online environment to access assignments, messages from the professor, etc.

Senior Guest Information

Registration for Kent State campuses, visit the Campus Contact Information page.
Eligibility: A person who is sixty years of age or older and has resided in the state of Ohio for at least one year.
Visit the Senior Guest FAQs page for information.

How to search on Schedule of Classes

View Schedule of Classes
Select the Term you wish to attend
Click the Detailed Class Search button

You must select these required fields, but can enter other information to narrow your search, such as Course Number, if you know it:
1. Subject: at least one subject must be selected
2. Campus: Kent Campus
3. Course Level: Undergraduate or Graduate
Click Class Search

See the Schedule of Classes for a list of courses. for information required to complete the online registration.

Before you start the online registration, you will need these required items for the course you wish to attend:

Course Title
Course Level - Undergraduate/Graduate
CRN
Course / Section
Meeting Dates
Days / Time
Instructor

Tips for Getting Started

Distance Learning Fees / Flash Book Charges

Senior Guests are responsible for the payment of all course fees covering materials and supplies, as well as, the $15 per credit hour distance learning fee assessed for all online courses. Senior Guests are also responsible for the purchase of books.

Flash Book Charges
Important: If your course is included in the Flash Book Program you will automatically receive, and be billed for, the digital textbook.

To Opt-Out: To opt-out of Flash Books, login to your course in Canvas, select the Flash Books icon, and select the opt-out link in the top menu. Follow the directions in the opt-out link to complete the opt-out process. By opting out, you are responsible for obtaining the required course materials outlined by your instructor for your course.

Questions regarding Flash Books email flashbooks@kent.edu.

Content Type: eTextbook content is accessed by clicking on the Flash Books icon in your Canvas course. Publisher Courseware is made available by your instructor through a separate link in your Canvas course.

Fees are course fees and distance learning fees ($15.00 per credit hour).

In order to determine whether your selected course(s) requires a fee, visit the Schedule of Classes. Once you have located your course, click on the dollar sign icon. See the image below for additional guidance.

Senior Guest Fee Example

If your course does not require a distance learning or course fee, no further action is required.

Please contact us by email at continuinged@kent.edu with any questions.

Please note: If you are not granted permission to enroll in your selected course, distance learning and course fees will be refunded if using a credit card.

Program Policies & Guidelines

The Senior Guest administrator will contact the faculty member and notify you whether your course request has been approved or denied.
Course requests will be submitted as soon as possible. However, we cannot guarantee admission by the start of classes. A variety of unavoidable factors may result in Senior Guests beginning a course as late as a week after the official start date.
Remember that courses are first and foremost intended to serve the needs of the students who are enrolled for credit. Therefore, we ask that Senior Guests not engage in behaviors that are troublesome or inappropriate.
Senior Guests may select up to two (2) courses and one (1) alternate.
The following programs are NOT included in the Senior Guest program: Architecture, Fashion, Nursing, Theatre, Kent Blossom Art and independent study.

Please read the full list of program policies and guidelines below before submitting your registration.

All Senior Guest Program Guidelines (Text) (PDF)

Getting Started in Your Online Course

One of the key factors in being successful in online courses is effectively utilizing resources. This page provides a list of comprehensive support services, including tips and tricks for getting your computer ready, strategies to be a successful online student, policies, and direct links to student academic services.

Interested in learning more about becoming an online student at Kent State? View all Available Online Degrees.