Live long and learn!
That's what Maine retirees are doing today. There are many great educational opportunities for retirees, many of which are low cost or not cost. Retired Mainers are taking college courses, learning computers, finance and art. They are also teaching. What a great opportunity to be involved.

You don't have to be "old" to take many of these courses.. Many are available to people 55 years of age and older. That's not old, that's a baby boomer!

Programs available

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
(also known as Senior College)

Senior College, the first school for Mainers aged 55 and older, was
established in 1997. Members devise the curriculum and enroll in
noncredit classes taught by peers. The program is an adjunct of USM's
Center for Extended Academic Programs and is affiliated with the
national Elderhostel Institute Network.

Eligibility age: 55

Fee: $25 annual fee plus $25-$50 course
Financial assistance may be available to those over 65

Class Locations:
University of Southern Maine's Portland campus
Sanford Center in Springvale
Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston
Bath-Brunswick Center in the Brunswick area.
UMaine Hutchinson Center in Belfast

List of courses

Most courses meet one day a week for six to eight weeks.

Contact information
Senior College
University of Southern Maine
101 Payson Smith Hall
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104-9300
Phone: (207) 780-4512 or 1-800-800-4USM
web site

Husson College

Seniors may enroll in one Husson College course per semester at no charge for tuitition. These 3 credit courses are taught by regular full-time or adjunct faculty.

Class Locations:
Husson College locations in Bangor, South Portland, Lewiston and Caribou

Contact information:
continuingeducation@husson.edu
website

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Two programs are offered at UMPI. One is SAGE, or Seniors Achieving Greater Education. The other is Elderhostel.

SAGE
These courses, planned and led on a volunteer basis by SAGE members and invited guest speakers, that vary in length from a day to a semester. The courses range in format from lectures and discussions to field trips and hands on learning. Course topics include general areas such as arts, sciences, current events, foreign affairs, and specialty courses. There are no admission requirements, no examinations and no grades.

Eligibility age: 55

Fee: $25 annual membership fee.
No additional charge for courses.
website

Elderhostel
This is a unique program that offers low cost opportunities to learn visit and meet new people. It calls itself an "educational adventure" that proves that "retirement need not be boring." Sample offerings at UNPI include computer, painting and writing courses. The hosteling programs include canoe trips in the Allagash to fly fishing in the North Maine Woods.

Eligibility age: 55
Spouses or adult companions under the age of 55 may accompany an age-eligible participant.

Fee: varies by program and course.
UMPI website

National Elderhostel Site

Contact Information UMPI

Conferences and Special Programs
University of Maine at Presque Isle
181 Main Street
Presque Isle, ME 04769
Phone: (207) 768-9501
Fax: (207)768-9507
madorek@polaris.umpi.maine.edu

Elderhostel National Office
11 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111-1746
Phone: (877) 426-8056 (toll free)

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