A senior citizen is an individual who, before the beginning of any academic Term in which they claim entitlement to the senior citizen educational benefit, is 60 years of age and has had a legal domicile in the State of Mississippi for at least one year. Under certain conditions, the senior citizen may take courses tuition-free except for course/program-associated fees. The tuition-free policy does not apply to the particular course and materials fees (e.g., textbooks, laboratory. etc. fees) and art fees), Additionally, a tuition waiver may not be submitted for non-credit courses offered through a third-party partnership. The Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver application form must be submitted for each Term in which the senior citizen enrolls in Leighton University courses
Suppose the senior citizen had a taxable income not exceeding $23,850 for the State of Mississippi income tax purposes for the year preceding the year in which enrollment at Leighton University is pursued, in that case, the individual may take a course for academic credit. In that case, the senior citizen will be required to submit tax documentation verifying income. If the individual’s taxable income exceeds $23,850, the individual may not audit the course for free.
There limit on the number of academic Terms in which a senior citizen who is enrolled for academic credit may register for courses. Still, the individual can take no more than one (1) noncredit/audit course in any one Term. At either the undergraduate or graduate course, there will be a restriction on the number of credit hours per Term that may be taken for credit in any academic Term, or on the number of Terms in which an eligible senior citizen may take courses for credit.
The two additional conditions listed below shall be met before a senior citizen may take a course under the provisions of this program:
- The senior citizen shall meet the appropriate Leighton University admission requirements for the program (undergraduate or graduate) in which the student plans to enroll.
- The senior citizen may be admitted to a course only on a space-available basis after all tuition-paying students have been accommodated unless the senior citizen has completed 75 percent of the degree requirements necessary for a degree. At such time in the senior citizen’s program, the senior citizen can enroll in courses simultaneously as other tuition-paying students.
To qualify for a tuition waiver at Leighton, one must meet the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Mississippi
- Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
- Be at least 60 years old by the beginning date of the academic Term for which you are applying
- Meet all requirements for admission