Osher Scholarships

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at KU provides noncredit enrichment courses and events specially developed for folks 50 and older—although learners of all ages are welcome. Highly qualified instructors present a wide range of courses, including history, literature, art, music, religion and more. There’s no homework. No tests. No pressure. It’s learning just for the joy of it.

And while we strive to keep the cost of our courses as low as we can--$50 for a single course, there are still many low-income seniors who cannot afford to participate. Our goal is to establish a scholarship fund that will allow these eager adult learners to take Osher courses for just $10 per course. Based on a similar program of the Douglas County Senior Resource Center for county residents, our goal is to make the scholarships available across the Osher program. We will start with senior agencies in five other counties—Riley, Shawnee, Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte—to identify eligible seniors. To qualify, seniors must meet one of three conditions:

• Live in subsidized housing
• Receive food stamps
• Be on Medicaid

Once they qualify they can register for two courses each semester, paying $10 per course with the remainder of the fee covered by the scholarship fund.

If you or someone you know has enjoyed the enriching benefit of an Osher course, won’t you please help us make that opportunity available to others who cannot afford it?

Thank you!