Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: 18 September 2026
Delaware has several good ways for older adults to keep learning, but they do not all work the same way. Some options are truly free. Others waive tuition but leave books or course costs. OLLI and some senior-center programs may charge membership or class fees.
Bottom Line
Start with the goal. For free computer help, begin with a Delaware public library. For reading, math, English, GED preparation, or basic computer skills, contact Delaware adult education. For college credit, check the age-60 tuition rules at Delaware Tech, the University of Delaware, and Delaware State University. For social learning without grades, OLLI and senior centers can be a better fit, but they are not always free.
Start Here
- Pick one goal. Decide whether you need technology help, basic education, English, college credit, or a class for fun.
- Ask the full cost. A tuition waiver may not cover books, supplies, labs, parking, or other course charges.
- Confirm the next date. College waivers and many local classes are space-available, so the sign-up date matters.
If you are not sure which kind of class fits, the GFS education options guide explains the main choices.
Quick Reference: Best First Place to Ask
| Your goal | Start here | Cost reality | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer or phone help | Public library | Many services are free | Schedules vary by branch |
| GED, reading, math, English | Adult education | Free GED prep is available | GED tests cost extra |
| College credit | Delaware Tech or DSU | Tuition may be waived at 60+ | Space and other costs remain |
| Complete a UD degree | UD Over-60 program | Tuition and mandatory fees waived | Degree admission is required |
| Classes for fun | OLLI or senior center | Often low-cost, not always free | Membership or supply fees may apply |
| Home-based accessible reading | DLAS | Free for eligible patrons | Eligibility is disability-based |
If school costs are only one part of a larger money problem, the Delaware benefits guide can help you check other assistance first.
What Has Changed
- OLLI Fall 2026 costs changed. The University of Delaware now lists Fall 2026 membership at $275, or $520 for a combined fall-and-spring membership. The older version of this guide carried the Spring 2026 price of $260. See the current OLLI registration page.
- Fall OLLI registration is active. As of September 12, 2026, late registration and drop/add are open through September 17 for classes with available seats.
- Free New Castle County art classes are active. Absalom Jones Senior Center members can register for free Art Loving Seniors ceramics sessions running in fall 2026. Membership is free for New Castle County seniors, but class registration is required.
Delaware Libraries and Free Technology Help
For many older adults, a library is the easiest place to begin. All Delaware residents can get a free library card. The state says you can sign up online for immediate eMedia access, then contact a public library if you want a full account for computers, programs, and other services. See the official library card page.
Libraries can be especially useful for short, practical needs. Ask about smartphone help, email, video calls, e-books, online forms, internet safety, printing, and basic computer skills. Delaware Libraries now advertises free digital-literacy help with a library card, including Northstar certification, basic computer help, software support, scam avoidance, and help using technology in daily life. Check the digital help page.
Class dates differ by branch. Before you travel, check the official library event calendars or call your local branch. Some programs require registration, and one-on-one help may be offered only at certain times.
Helpful tip: Bring the device you need help with, its charger, your email address, and the passwords you are willing to use yourself. Do not hand a stranger a written banking password.
If technology is your main problem, the GFS free computer class guide can help you compare library and online choices.
Adult Education, GED, English, and Basic Skills
Delaware adult education serves people age 16 and older who are not enrolled in a traditional public school. The Delaware Department of Education says its adult education system includes reading, math, writing, computer literacy, life skills, English language learning, GED preparation, and other pathways. Start with the state adult education page.
For Adult Basic Education, the state lists programs in all three counties and an online option. Classes can be offered in libraries, community centers, schools, public housing sites, colleges, businesses, and online. The current ABE and GED page is the best place to check participating programs and phone numbers.
Free GED preparation is available through Adult Basic Education programs and GED testing centers. The GED exam itself is not free. Delaware currently lists the test at $30 per subject test, or $120 for all four. The state also says online GED testing is not available in Delaware.
If English is the main goal, Delaware has adult English-as-a-second-language programs and integrated English literacy and civics programs. The current English learner page lists providers by county.
| Area | Program | Phone | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide online | DCDAL | 302-883-0420 | Distance adult learning |
| New Castle | Christina Adult Education | 302-454-2400 ext. 43161 | ABE and GED preparation |
| New Castle | Red Clay Adult Education | 302-651-2709 | ABE, GED, English |
| Kent | Delaware Tech Terry | 302-857-1531 | ABE and GED preparation |
| Kent | Polytech Adult Education | 302-697-4545 | ABE, GED, English |
| Sussex | Delaware Tech Owens | 302-259-6344 | ABE, GED, English |
| Sussex | Sussex Tech | 302-856-9035 | ABE, GED, English |
Reality check: A program can be open while the class time you want is full. Ask when the next intake or placement session starts. If you need a GED, also ask whether the program can help with the testing cost.
College Tuition Options for Delaware Residents Age 60+
Delaware has real senior tuition programs, but “tuition-free” does not always mean “no cost.” The safest approach is to ask the school for the exact senior policy and a written list of remaining charges before you register. The GFS free college guide explains how senior waivers usually work.
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Tech’s 2026–2027 catalog says Delaware residents age 60 or older may enroll tuition-free in many credit courses. Workforce Development and Community Education courses are excluded, as are program-major courses in competitive-admissions programs. The policy also says eligible seniors do not pay tuition, registration, late-registration, or student-services fees, but they still pay for books, supplies, and other fees. See the current senior tuition policy.
The timing rule matters. Senior registration begins one week before the 15-week fall and spring sessions and one week before the 12-week summer session. Registering earlier makes the course ineligible for the senior waiver.
University of Delaware Over-60 Benefit
The University of Delaware offers a different kind of benefit. Delaware residents age 60 or older must apply and be admitted to an undergraduate or graduate program. Admitted students do not pay tuition or mandatory fees, but they remain responsible for course-related fees, books, supplies, housing, dining, and other services. Non-degree and noncredit students do not qualify. The official UD Over-60 page gives the current rules.
For undergraduate applicants, UD lists May 1 as the fall deadline and November 1 as the spring deadline. Late applications may be considered if space is available. UD also says admission may take six to eight weeks after all needed materials are received.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University says Delaware residents age 60 or older may be eligible to take courses tuition-free through its Senior Citizen Tuition Waiver Program. The page says students can be degree, non-degree, or certificate students, and that enrollment depends on space after regular registration. Selective-admission programs may be excluded. See the current DSU tuition page.
DSU clearly says books, supplies, lab fees, shop fees, program-specific fees, housing, dining, and some student-service charges are not waived. The same page also lists senior-citizen registration and technology fee line items while describing some related fees as covered. Because those statements can be confusing, ask your academic advisor or Student Accounts which charges will actually appear for your course before you pay.
| School | Basic age rule | What the benefit can do | Key caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware Tech | 60+ Delaware resident | Waives tuition in many credit courses | Register only in senior window |
| University of Delaware | 60+ Delaware resident | Waives tuition and mandatory fees | Degree admission required |
| Delaware State | 60+ Delaware resident | May waive tuition | Space and remaining charges vary |
OLLI, Senior Centers, and Local Classes
University of Delaware OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is for adults age 50 and older. It offers classes without exams or educational requirements. Fall 2026 membership is $275, or $520 for a combined fall-and-spring membership, with unlimited class selections. Some classes have extra supply or partner fees. Financial assistance is available. As of September 12, late registration is open through September 17 for courses with seats.
Reality check: OLLI is not a free-class program. It can be a good value if you want several classes, but a library or senior center may be better if you only need one short class.
Senior centers
Senior centers can offer art, fitness, wellness talks, games, technology help, language classes, and other activities. Delaware’s Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities keeps a current statewide senior center list. Costs differ by center and activity.
One useful New Castle County example is Absalom Jones Senior Center. Its official page says membership is free to New Castle County seniors, and the center offers educational and recreational programs. Call 302-995-7636 or review the Absalom Jones page.
For fall 2026, New Castle County is also advertising free Art Loving Seniors classes for Absalom Jones members. Current ceramics sessions run September 3 through October 8 and October 15 through November 19, with advance registration required. See the free art program.
In Sussex County, CHEER operates activity centers and offers transportation for people who do not or cannot drive. The current CHEER center list gives locations and phone numbers.
For other local activities, the GFS Delaware recreation guide may help you find another low-cost way to stay active and connected.
Home, Online, and Accessible Learning Options
If you cannot drive or prefer to learn from home, start with a Delaware library card and ask about eMedia, online learning, and virtual events. Adult Basic Education also lists a statewide online distance-learning program.
For people who cannot use standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability, Delaware Library Access Services provides accessible books and audio playback devices. The state says all DLAS services are free to patrons and mailed materials can be returned postage-free. See Delaware Library Access Services.
If disability makes transportation or classroom access difficult, the GFS Delaware disability guide can help you find other support. You can also call the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-223-9074. The ADRC contact page says resource specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Choose one class goal. Write down the one thing you want to do, such as use email, improve English, earn a GED, take a history class, or earn college credit.
- Call before traveling. Ask whether the class is open, whether registration is required, and whether there is a waitlist.
- Ask what “free” covers. Ask separately about tuition, registration, technology fees, books, supplies, parking, lab costs, and transportation.
- Ask for the next date. If a class is full, ask when the next intake or registration window begins.
- Keep a backup. A library class or online program can keep you moving while you wait for a college or senior-center opening.
If you are looking for a nearby option rather than a specific Delaware program, the GFS nearby class guide gives a simple local search process.
What to Prepare Before You Sign Up
- Photo ID and proof of Delaware address.
- Proof of age for a 60+ college waiver.
- Email address and phone number.
- Library card number, if you already have one.
- Course name and course number for college classes.
- One or two backup classes in case your first choice is full.
- High school or college transcripts if a degree program requires them.
- Your device and charger for technology help.
- A written list of cost questions about books, supplies, labs, parking, and other fees.
- Any accommodation request or accessibility question you need to discuss with the program.
Reality Checks
Tuition-free is not always cost-free. Senior college programs may still leave books, supplies, course fees, labs, parking, housing, dining, or other charges.
Space can be the real limit. Delaware Tech and DSU both use space-available rules for senior waivers. Your preferred class may fill before you can register.
Local programs change often. Library events and senior-center calendars can change from month to month. Confirm the date before arranging a ride.
GED prep and GED testing are different. Free preparation is available, but the Delaware GED exam currently costs $30 per subject test.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every senior class is free because it is offered to older adults.
- Registering too early at Delaware Tech and losing the senior tuition waiver for that course.
- Buying books before the school confirms your seat.
- Assuming a college waiver covers every fee.
- Driving to a library or senior center without checking the current calendar.
- Waiting for one perfect class instead of asking for a backup or waitlist.
- Giving someone your banking password while asking for computer help.
If You Are Delayed, Full, or Overwhelmed
A full class does not mean you have no options. Ask when registration opens again, whether another branch or campus has space, and whether there is a waitlist. If transportation is the problem, ask whether the same program has an online section or a ride option.
If you do not know which office to call, contact the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 or Delaware 211. Delaware 211 says residents can dial 211, call 1-800-560-3372, or text their ZIP Code to 898-211. See the 211 contact page.
The GFS Delaware ADRC guide can also help you understand the aging-services route.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Library technology help
“Hello. I am looking for free help with my phone, email, or computer. Do you have a class or one-on-one help? Do I need to register, and what should I bring?”
Adult education
“Hello. I need help with reading, math, English, GED preparation, or computer skills. When is the next intake? Is there a placement test, and are there any costs I should know about?”
College senior waiver
“Hello. I am a Delaware resident age 60 or older. I want to use the senior tuition waiver. When may I register, and which books, fees, or other charges would I still pay?”
Senior center or ADRC
“Hello. I am looking for a nearby class for an older adult. I also need to know the cost, whether registration is open, and whether transportation is available. What is the best next step?”
Resumen en español
Delaware tiene varias opciones de educación para adultos mayores, pero no todas son gratis. Para ayuda con computadoras, teléfonos o libros digitales, empiece con una biblioteca pública. Para lectura, matemáticas, inglés, preparación para el GED o computación básica, pregunte por educación para adultos.
Los residentes de Delaware de 60 años o más pueden tener acceso a programas de exención de matrícula en Delaware Tech, la Universidad de Delaware y Delaware State University. Las reglas son diferentes en cada institución y pueden quedar costos de libros, materiales, laboratorios u otros cargos.
OLLI ofrece clases para adultos de 50 años o más, pero cobra membresía. Para encontrar ayuda local, transporte o un centro para personas mayores, llame al Delaware ADRC al 1-800-223-9074. También puede marcar 211 o enviar su código postal por mensaje de texto al 898-211.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are senior classes free everywhere in Delaware?
No. Many library services are free, and free GED preparation is available through Adult Basic Education. College waivers can remove tuition but may leave other costs. OLLI and senior centers may charge membership, supply, or class fees.
Where can I get free computer help?
Start with a Delaware public library. Ask about digital specialists, computer classes, smartphone help, scam safety, and one-on-one assistance. A free Delaware library card also gives residents access to online resources.
Can Delaware residents age 60 take college classes tuition-free?
Sometimes. Delaware Tech, the University of Delaware, and Delaware State University have different 60+ policies. You must meet each school’s rules, and books, supplies, course charges, or other fees may still apply.
How much does OLLI cost in Fall 2026?
UD OLLI lists Fall 2026 membership at $275. A combined fall-and-spring membership is $520. Some classes have extra fees, and financial assistance is available.
How much does the Delaware GED test cost?
The Delaware Department of Education lists the GED exam at $30 per subject test, or $120 for all four tests. Free GED preparation is available through Adult Basic Education programs and GED testing centers.
What if I cannot drive to a class?
Ask about online classes, library digital help, or distance adult education. You can also call the Delaware ADRC at 1-800-223-9074 for local transportation and service referrals. CHEER offers transportation to its activity centers in Sussex County.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 18 September 2026 · Next review: 18 January 2027
About the Authors