To get you ready for the steps to begin your Program 60 experience, here are answers to some frequently asked questions to assist you before you reach out to our office:
How old do I have to be to participate? Where do I have to live?
You must have resided in the State of Ohio for one calendar year, and be age 60 or older during the term of registration and enrollment, to participate in Program 60 at Ohio State.
When can I take courses?
Program 60 students are able to take courses during the summer, spring and fall terms.
What kind of courses can I take?
Students can attend undergraduate, graduate-level and distance learning courses on a space-available basis.
Can the course I take count towards a future degree?
No. Program 60 is a tuition-free, noncredit/non-degree program. You will be auditing a course and will not receive college credit.
Are there fees to participate?
There are no university and tuition fees to participate in Program 60. Participants are potentially responsible for course and lab fees. Participants may also purchase textbooks as they see fit.
When do the registration and enrollment terms open?
Program registration opens five weeks before the term begins, while course enrollment opens three weeks before the term begins.
What resources do I have access to as a Program 60 participant?
As a Program 60 participant, you have access to a whole list of resources offered online and on-campus. Some of these include buying a parking pass, membership to the RPAC and student support services.
Program 60 students are able to come into the Office of Distance Education and eLearning’s office in Mount Hall for support and guidance. You can meet with an advisor and have access to our computer and staff while filling out the registration form and enrolling in courses.
I do not have an Ohio State name.#. Do I need one to register for Program 60?
Your Ohio State name.# will be assigned upon completion of your registration form and admission to the university. Following admission, you will receive additional information on activation of your name.#.
Now you are ready to begin! Follow these steps to participate.
This step only needs to be completed once. If you are already registered and have activated your Ohio State Username (lastname.#) and BuckeyePass, please continue to Step 3.
Registration for spring 2019 is now closed.
Admission to the University as a Program 60 participant became a requirement starting in spring semester 2017. This step only needs to be completed once for program participation. If you are unsure of your status, please contact our office at 614-292-8860.
Typically 3-5 business days after you submit your registration, you will receive an email letting you know you've been accepted to The Ohio State University.
This step only needs to be completed once. If you are already registered and have activated your Ohio State Username (lastname.#) and BuckeyePass, please continue to Step 3.
You also need to set up BuckeyePass, a multifactor authentication service you will use to log in to many Ohio State services, such as My Buckeye Link, the secure site where you will register for classes.
For more detailed instructions and help with BuckeyePass, visit go.osu.edu/duohelp.
On this website, you can use a more intuitive approach to finding classes. With the large amount to choose from, you can use the filters to find the right class for you.
How to Search for In-Person Courses
How to Search for Online Courses
On this website, you can focus your search for online courses and go through the Ohio State Course Catalog. Because of the large amount of course options available, be sure you use keywords and filters to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Note: With Buckeye Link's website update, searching for courses via the new website may be different than your previous experience. The updated procedures can be found below.
How to Search for In-Person Courses
How to Search for Online Courses
This visual step-by-step guide may be of further assistance.
For assistance with searching and enrolling in courses, visit our office or give us a call. We are here to help you narrow down your course options and find out what you want to study!
Our office is located on west campus in Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For more information visit our Contact Us page.
This step must be completed each term before you enroll in courses.
Please note, you must be an admitted student with an active Ohio State Username (lastname.#) before this step can be completed.
The Financial Responsible Statement (FRS) is required before enrollment in courses(s) can take place each term. Information on the Financial Responsibility Statement can be found through the Bursar Office.
How to Complete the Financial Responsibility Statement
Course enrollment for spring term 2019 is open December 17 - January 18.
Please log into your My Buckeye Link account to confirm the time of your enrollment appointment opens as it varies throughout the opening day.
How to Find Your Enrollment Window
Enrollment in courses through the University registration system gives you access to Carmen course content. Your courses will appear as an “audit” status on your University transcript, and instructors will receive an informational email regarding course participation.
How to Enroll in Courses
This visual step-by-step guide may be of further assistance.
For courses with prerequisites or for graduate-level courses, written instructor permission will be required. Permission is granted by emailing the instructor at their name.#@osu.edu email address. Once permission has been received please forward the communication to program60@osu.edu and include the following information:
Enrollment will be processed within our office and confirmation will be sent.
The level of participation for Program 60 participants varies based on expectations set forth by both the instructor and the student. Please be sure to have a conversation with your instructor regarding expected participation level prior to, or during, the first week of classes. The exceptions are foreign language courses which typically require full participation by the Program 60 participant to maintain a consistent level of knowledge in the classroom.
Enrollment in courses with course fees associated will require payment be made through the University Bursar Office. Program 60 participants will be held to all University and Registrar deadlines for course additions, drops and fee payment as well as the possibility of owed fees being sent to Collections.
How to Mail a Payment
How to Make an ePayment
Program 60 participants are eligible to enroll in Ohio State’s Tuition Option Payment Plan (TOPP). Enrollment in TOPP allows for course fee payments to be made in three equal installments. To note, there is a $30.00 enrollment fee and fee’s owed must be $150.00 or greater.