Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver

Students accepted for admission (in a degree seeking program, a certificate program or in a "at-large" status)  who are 65 years of age or older, and who are legal residents of Illinois with an annual combined household income less than the threshold amount provided in Section 4 of the Illinois “Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act”, shall be permitted to enroll in regularly scheduled courses, without the payment of tuition (eligible persons are expected to pay any applicable fees, books, and any classroom supplies costs; the waiver is only applicable to tuition charges), provided that available classroom space exists and tuition-paying students enrolled constitute the minimum number required for the course.

If you will be attending during the 2025-2026 academic year (Fall 2025, Spring 2026 and/or Summer 2026) please submit the 2025-26 Senior Citizen Waiver along with the following documentation:

• Proof you are at least 65 years of age at beginning of term enrollment (Driver’s License, State ID, official Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, etc.)
• Proof you are an Illinois resident (Driver’s License, State ID, Voters registration, etc.)
• Proof of “combined (yours and spouse’s, if married) annual household income”, during 2024, at or below 200% of the appropriate annual Federal Poverty Level as outlined on the form. Such proof may consist of a Federal or Illinois 1040(s), or W2(s) if you are not required to file a 1040, Social Security statement if receiving benefits, statement concerning public assistance payments if received, Workers Compensation if received, or any other source of income received. (2024 documentation is required for the 2025-2026 award year)

The last day you may submit a 2025-2026 Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver (Fall 2025, Spring 2026 or Summer 2026) to the Office of Student Financial Aid is June 19, 2026.

If you will be attending during the 2024-2025 academic year (Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and/or Summer 2025) please submit the 2024-25 Senior Citizen Waiver along with the following documentation:

• Proof you are at least 65 years of age at beginning of term enrollment (Driver’s License, State ID, official Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, etc.)
• Proof you are an Illinois resident (Driver’s License, State ID, Voters registration, etc.)
• Proof of “combined (yours and spouse’s, if married) annual household income”, during 2023, at or below 200% of the appropriate annual Federal Poverty Level as outlined on the form. Such proof may consist of a Federal or Illinois 1040(s), or W2(s) if you are not required to file a 1040, Social Security statement if receiving benefits, statement concerning public assistance payments if received, Workers Compensation if received, or any other source of income received. (2023 documentation is required for the 2024-2025 award year)

The last day you may submit a 2024-2025 Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver (Fall 2024, Spring 2025 or Summer 2025) to the Office of Student Financial Aid is June 20, 2025.

An individual’s eligibility for the Waiver is subject to all applicable Federal, State and Chicago State University regulations/law and amendments thereto. Benefits of the Waiver will not be posted to a student’s account until all documentation is received, reviewed and validated by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Students applying for the Waiver should take care to make sure that the completed Waiver form, with all required documentation attached, is submitted to the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as possible before the beginning of an enrollment period (preferably at least two weeks).

If an individual wishing to apply for the Waiver is not yet accepted for admission in a degree seeking or certificate program, please access the Undergraduate Admissions, School of Graduate and Professional Studies or College of Pharmacy web pages. If you would like to apply as at "At-Large" student you may access the Undergraduate-at-Large web site or the Graduate Admissions web site. Follow the instructions on the appropriate form.