Lowering free senior tuition age

Ken Kastner was laid off due to the bad economy a couple of years ago, and like many unemployed people, he went back to school.

“I initially collected unemployment when I realized that a then-62-year-old man would find it almost impossible to get a job,” he said. “In an attempt to better myself and further my computer knowledge, I started taking classes at St. Paul College to attain a web design certificate on the senior tuition discount program.”

The program allows senior citizens to take courses at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system at no charge, other than course charges for materials or services, if there are seats available after all tuition-paying students have been accounted for. If taken for credit, an administrative fee must be paid.

Last year, the qualifying age was raised from 62 to 66.

Rep. Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) sponsors HF821 that would help people like Kastner, who began pursuit of a degree under the program but then were no longer eligible, by lowering the qualifying age back to 62.

It was held over March 10 by the House Higher Education Policy and Finance Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion. A companion, SF546, sponsored by Senate President Michelle Fischbach (R-Paynesville), was held over March 7 by the Senate Higher Education Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

“The seat would be empty were I not in it,” said Kastner, who has 25 credits towards his degree with a 4.0 grade point average. “The school is collecting expense, so where is the cost?”

Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter) noted that a preliminary fiscal note shows an annual loss of $434,250 to the university and $214,682 to MnSCU. That assumes those caught in the middle would continue to attend at regular costs.

Rep. Bruce Vogel (R-Willmar) called that a “moot point” because most senior citizens wouldn’t pay for the chair. “The universities wouldn’t get that tuition anyway.”

In addition to recouping costs, it’s also a fairness issue, said Rep. Jeanne Poppe (DFL-Austin), who sponsored last year’s bill. “We have a number of students at age 42 or 52 or 22 who would like to be able to pay the lowest cost they could for their college credits.”