1. Courses & Registration
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  3. Senior Citizen Course Audit

Senior Citizen Course Audit

UNC Charlotte allows NC residents over the age of 65 to audit courses. 

Auditing courses

With the permission of the instructor, a senior citizen may audit any course in which space is available. Auditing a course means you are registered in a course but will not receive earned credit hours, grade point average (GPA) hours, or quality points. However, audited courses do count in attempted hours.

  • Audited courses may not be taken again for credit.
  • Students who audit courses are expected to attend their classes regularly. Participating in class discussions, tests, and/or exams are optional with the instructor.
  • You can read more about course auditing policies and procedures on the Office of the Provost’s website. 

Eligibility for the Senior Citizen Course Audit Program

  • Those who have attained the age of 65, are a North Carolina resident as defined by the institution, and meet applicable admission standards are eligible to audit courses on a tuition-free basis.

Enrolling in the course audit program

  • You may audit up to four (4) credit hours per semester. 
  • To audit a course, you must complete the Senior Citizen Course Audit Form.
    • It is recommended that you first identify the course(s) you wish to take, as well as, receive departmental/instructor approval to take the course before completing the form.
  • Submit the form to the Office of the Registrar in King 141 or email specialenrollments@uncc.edu.

FAQs about the Senior Citizen Course Audit Program
 

  • Those who have attained the age of 65, are a North Carolina resident as defined by the institution, and meets applicable admission standards are eligible to audit courses on a tuition-free basis.
  • Auditing a course means you are registered in a course but will not receive earned credit hours, grade point average (GPA) hours, or quality points. However, audited courses do count in attempted hours. Audited courses may not be taken again for credit. Students who audit courses are expected to attend their classes regularly. Participating in class discussions, tests, and/or exams are optional with the instructor. You can read more about course auditing policies and procedures from the Office of the Provost’s website.
  • You may audit up to four (4) credit hours per semester. 
  • According to immunization requirements, students who enroll in up to four (4) credit hours per semester are not required to submit immunization documents. You can read more about immunization requirements on the North Carolina Immunization Branch website.
  • To audit a course, as a senior citizen, you must complete the Senior Citizen Course Audit Form found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. It is recommended that you first identify the course(s) you wish to take, as well as, receive departmental/instructor approval to take the course before completing the form.
  • Along with a completed Senior Citizen Course Audit Form, if this is your first time participating in the audit program, you must provide verification of your age. This is usually completed by scanning in a copy of a government-issued ID (with your date of birth visible on the ID) along with the completed audit form. The audit form and verification of your age documentation should be emailed to (specialenrollments@uncc.edu). Please note that you must complete and submit the audit form for each semester you plan to audit a course. Audit forms must be received prior to the end of the last day to add or drop a course with no grade -- this date can be found on the Office of the Registrar’s website.
  • You can start by looking at UNC Charlotte’s schedule of classes when it posts each semester. Senior citizens take a wide range of courses; ranging from various course topics, including foreign language, political science, physical fitness, and many more. If you have questions about course content or seeking permission to take a course, contact the academic department of that course. Please note that independent studies, laboratory courses, internships and distance education courses are not eligible for the Senior Citizen Course Audit program.
  • Senior citizens will begin to be registered following the last day of the last orientation session. This is to ensure that degree-seeking students are given priority during the registration period. As such, please have alternative course options available in case your preferred option fills up! If you have not already acquired permission from the department and/or instructor to take your chosen course, we will contact the department on your behalf prior to registration. 
  • No, senior citizens taking part in the course audit program have their tuition and fees waived. Please note, fees associated with parking, books, and specific course fees are the responsibility of the student.
  • Courses taken for credit are not eligible for free tuition. If you wish to take courses for credit, you may apply through the admissions office. Audited courses may not be taken again for credit.
  • You can view if any books are associated with your course via Banner Self Service. If you have questions about your textbooks or other required materials for the course, please contact the course instructor.
  • You can drop a course before the add/drop period is over, This is the sixth business day for fall, spring and summer full terms. For half terms, it is the second business day. If you would like to drop a course, email a member of the registration team (specialenrollments@uncc.edu). You will not be permitted to drop a course on your own. Once dropped from the course, It will be removed from your academic record.
  • If you wish to withdraw from the course, you may withdraw from the course via Banner Self-Service until the posted withdrawal deadline for the term. You will receive a “W” grade on your record for that audited course.
  • It is recommended to enter any persons into the Guest Access Portal that you wish to release your academic information to. This will identify who has permission to discuss your academic records with UNC Charlotte personnel. 
  • Seniors participating in the course audit program are considered visitors to the university. Visitors are ineligible to purchase parking permits and must park in designated Visitor Parking areas paying the hourly rate. For more information on locations of Visitor Parking, visit Parking and Transportation Services.