UCLA Senior Scholars Program: A Comprehensive Guide for Lifelong Learners

The UCLA Senior Scholars Program, offered by the UCLA Center on Aging, presents a unique opportunity for individuals aged 50 and over to continue their intellectual growth by attending undergraduate classes at UCLA. This program allows participants to attend lectures given by distinguished professors, exchange ideas with students from different generations and backgrounds, and expand their knowledge without the pressure of formal coursework. No prerequisites or class work are required.

Benefits of the Senior Scholars Program

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UCLA provides a unique opportunity for individuals age 50+ to engage in low-cost, non-credit UCLA programs amongst a world-wide community of lifelong learners.Senior Scholars can choose classes from a rich selection of stimulating subjects taught by top-notch instructors, and form satisfying new friendships with other enthusiastic members.

Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application process for the UCLA Senior Scholars Program involves several key steps:

Step 1: Create a UCLA Logon ID

If you are a new applicant, your first step is to create a UCLA Logon ID. If you are a returning Senior Scholar, you already have a UCLA logon ID and do not need to complete this step. Please remember your UCLA logon ID username, as you will be required to submit it for your application.

Step 2: Browse the Course Catalog

Familiarize yourself with the available courses. This involves navigating the UCLA Schedule of Classes to identify suitable undergraduate courses.

Scroll below to “Term.”
Select Fall Session 2025.
Click on the box next to subject area for a dropdown menu of subjects.
Click on your desired subject, and click “Go” to pull up a list of classes in that subject area.
Look for classes numbered below 200.
Click on a class title, and the lecture information (Days, Time, Location, etc.) will drop down.
Focus on lecture information (labeled Lec). Discussion sessions (labeled Dis) are not available to auditors.
Clicking the “Lec 1” link will open a page with the course description.

Important Note: DO NOT click on the Find a Class and Enroll or Class Planner features.

Step 3: Submit an Application to the Senior Scholars Program

Applications for Fall Session 2025 are now open. Submit an application to the Senior Scholars Program. We suggest listing an alternate course in case your first choice course is unavailable. PLEASE NOTE that "University ID" is your UCLA logon username. Ready to sign up, Click here.

Step 4: Professor Approval

The Senior Scholars office requests approval from professors. Attendance in any course must be approved by the professor through the Longevity Center. (See registrar's policy on auditing here). Instructor approvals begin at the end of the application deadline. It can take several weeks, close to the start of classes, before we hear back about space. Space is often limited, so please apply at your earliest convenience, and have an alternate class in mind.

Step 5: Course Status Confirmation

The Longevity Center will confirm your classes. Please do not contact professors directly. The Longevity Center stays in close contact with professors about course status.

Important Dates: The deadline to register for the new quarter is Sept. 16. Classes begin Sept.

Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA

Program Guidelines and Expectations

Participation in the Senior Scholars Program is a privilege. Enrolled undergraduate students have priority seating. The instructor will determine the acceptable level of participation from auditors. Senior Scholars audit lectures and follow along with class readings. Auditors do not take exams, write papers, turn in homework assignments or attend discussion sections/labs. Participants are expected to comply with Program guidelines at all times.

Fees and Costs

Quarterly fees are $175 for the first class and $150 for each additional class. Program costs are tax-deductible. All classes are located on the UCLA campus.

Resources and Support

The UCLA campus offers various resources and support services to enhance the learning experience for Senior Scholars:

Libraries

Students and staff may view materials in the Powell Library Media Lab, Room 270, by making a request preferably three business days in advance. Search the IMCS collection catalog by title, format, subject matter, director or other terms. Many IMCS titles also appear in UC Library Search. Go to this link for more information and read the FAQ on requesting videos for viewing.

Self-service copiers, printers and scanners are available in campus libraries. If needed, purchase a reusable visitor BruinCard from a BruinCard vending machine in the library. The card is 58 cents and the machines accept cash only.

Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors

Bruincasts

Some classes have podcasts of lectures called Bruincasts.

Dining Options

There are various dining options available on campus, including Northern Lights Cafe, Kerckhoff Hall, Powell Library and Charles E.

Transportation and Parking

Public transportation can be an affordable alternative to parking on campus. If you choose to drive, there is a kiosk at the Westholme/Hilgard campus entrance. You can typically purchase parking permits for a class or two at a time. Go to the nearest Parking Pay Station. (Parking permits can also be purchased at Parking Pay Stations). Enter your payment using cash or credit card. Parking Pay Stations accept $1, $5, & $10 bills and don’t give change. Effective May 2019, parking permits can now be purchased online. $65 or 30 day permit for $168 online.

Engaging with the Community

The Senior Scholars Program encourages participants to engage with the UCLA community. Introduce yourself to students around you and other Scholars you see in your class. If you miss a class, reach out to classmates to find out what you missed. Contact the Center Senior Scholars Program Coordinator for assistance.

The Senior Scholars office sends out a class feedback form at the end of each quarter. If you have feedback on your class, this is a great place to provide that information. Please arrive on-time for class.

Additional Opportunities at UCLA: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

Getting Involved with OLLI at UCLA

More than just courses, OLLI at UCLA is truly a community. There are several ways to get involved:

Volunteer Program: As an OLLI member, you are also eligible to apply for the Friends of Extension volunteer program. Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring our programs run smoothly and our members feel supported and connected. Volunteers provide valuable services to UCLA Extension such as checking in students for courses, acting as a virtual teacher's assistant for OLLI Zoom courses, and assisting with any special events. Their efforts help sustain the welcoming, collaborative environment that makes OLLI so unique.
Advisory Board: Advisory Board members meet throughout the year to provide feedback on strategic initiatives and to review scholarship applications. Appointment to the advisory board is by invitation only.
Curriculum Committee: Curriculum committee members support program development by identifying new potential instructors and topics, sharing highlights from OLLI courses, and promoting the OLLI program. To be eligible for the curriculum committee, you must have been an OLLI member for at least 2 years and complete an interview process.
Development Committee: Led by the Director of Development, the development committee assists with annual fundraising efforts. These include providing in class presentations about fundraising to fellow OLLI members in the spring time. To be eligible, you must be an active OLLI member and an annual OLLI donor (donation can be of any size).

Supporting OLLI at UCLA

OLLI at UCLA depends on private contributions from caring individuals like you to keep our program running and thriving. Your investment ensures that our high quality courses continue to enrich the lives of adults throughout Los Angeles. Your gift plays a critical role in helping OLLI at UCLA be financially sustainable so that we can serve a greater number of members. As we prepare for the future, we rely on individual donations from members and non-members who believe in the transformative work of lifelong learning. You can help support the continuation and growth of the OLLI at UCLA program by making a tax-deductible donation of any size to our scholarship fund or support fund.

Michael Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund: Provides members who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to lifelong learning a free year of OLLI Plus Membership. A donation to this scholarship fund means that we can award a greater number of scholarships every quarter.
OLLI at UCLA Support Fund: The OLLI at UCLA support fund helps cover the cost of our self-supporting program. Membership dues and course fees only cover a percentage of program costs.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (referred to as “Osher” or “OLLI”) is dedicated to providing excellence in lifelong learning opportunities for people aged 50+. There are currently 123 OLLI institutes nationwide, all funded in part by an endowment from The Bernard Osher Foundation, which seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts. OLLI at UCLA is a self-sustaining, membership style program. Membership dues, course fees, and our endowment only cover a percentage of program costs.

National and International Merit Scholarships (Prestigious Scholarships)

National and International Merit Scholarships (Prestigious Scholarships) are awards with numerous and wide-ranging benefits. In order to qualify for most of these scholarships, you must be nominated by a UCLA selection committee. Therefore, the UCLA deadline for nomination is typically ONE MONTH prior to the official scholarship deadline.

Beinecke Scholarship

For juniors planning graduate study in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Requires UCLA’s nomination. Campus deadline is March 7, 2025. The Beinecke Scholarship provides $5000 before beginning graduate school and up to $30,000 over the first two years of a graduate program. The committee looks for outstanding academic achievement and research potential. To apply for institutional endorsement, submit your completed application via upload to Message Center(personal statement, CV, three letters of recommendation, unofficial transcripts, and application form) by March 7, 2025. Please note that this scholarship is restricted to undergraduate juniors only (determined by date of graduation).

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program

The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program provides generous scholarship funding along with internships and mentoring to launch students' careers in the Foreign Service of the US Department of State. This program encourages the application of members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, women, and those with financial need. The fellowship provides up to $42,000 annually for a two-year graduate program, along with summer internships and mentoring.

Churchill Scholarship

The Churchill Scholarship funds a year of graduate study in Engineering, Mathematics, or Science at Cambridge University. Open to US citizens who are in their senior year or within one calendar year after graduation. UCLA can nominate two students each year. Our campus deadline is October 6, 2025. Applicants must apply concurrently to Churchill College, Cambridge. Our office is available to assist you with your application.

Donald A. Strauss Scholarship

The Strauss Scholarship ($15,000-- including a $7,000 scholarship and an $8,000 project grant) is open to sophomores and juniors. Apply by January 27, 2025 at straussfoundation.org.

YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF)

The YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) grants scholarships to talented students interested in fashion and facilitates internships, mentorships, and career programs in the fashion industry. The scholarship is a case study competition. Please contact the SRC to receive this year's case study prompt in your area of interest.

Department of State and administered by TWC

Department of State and administered by TWC, focuses on attracting top technology talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States. The program is designed for highly talented individuals who want to pursue an IT-related undergraduate or graduate degree and a career in the Foreign Service.

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

Gates Cambridge Scholarships are prestigious, highly competitive full-cost scholarships. You must apply concurrently to your target graduate program at Cambridge.

Goldwater Scholarship

The Goldwater Scholarship is the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship for STEM researchers. It is open to sophomores and juniors who plan graduate study leading to research careers in STEM fields. To get access to the application, you must complete a "pre-application" (a simple registration step) on the Goldwater portal. It opens in September each year. To apply for our institutional nomination, submit your completed application (including unofficial transcripts, research essay, three letters of recommendation, and all parts of the online Goldwater application) to the SRC by the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program

The James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is designed to provide a substantive work experience for students who have a serious career interest in the area of international affairs.

ASSIGNMENTS: Gaither Junior Fellows provide research assistance to scholars working within Carnegie’s programs, listed below. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a global network of policy research centers in Russia, China, Europe, the Middle East, India, and the United States. We are more than 150 thinkers and doers from diverse disciplines and perspectives spread across more than twenty countries and six global centers working together as one network to advance international peace.

Applicants must be nominated by an official of their university or institution who has been designated for this purpose (usually the career placement officer, fellowship advisor or an academic department chairperson). Applications are accepted only from graduating college seniors or individuals who have graduated within the past academic year. No one will be considered who has started graduate studies (except those who have recently completed a joint bachelor’s/master’s degree program). Applicants should have completed a significant amount of coursework related to their discipline of interest. Language and other skills may also be required for certain assignments. The selection process for the program is very competitive. Accordingly, applicants should be of high academic quality. Qualifications for Gaither Junior Fellows may vary by program.

APPLICATION PROCESS: UCLA can nominate three students each year. Resume/C.V. Two letters of recommendation. Transcript of undergraduate records. The transcript may be unofficial. An essay of no more than three (3) typewritten, double-spaced pages on one of the following topics. These topics are intended to test skills in analysis, logic, and written expression. The essays should be analytical thought pieces, not research papers. Students should submit an essay related to their primary research program interests, although the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows Program may ultimately select an applicant for a program outside of his/her designated primary interest or make an assignment to more than one program.

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship

The James Madison Memorial Fellowship provides funding for Seniors or Recent Graduates who desire to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution at the secondary school level. Provides up to $24,000 over two years.

The Luce Scholars Program

The Luce Scholars Program is a nationally competitive fellowship program. It was launched by the Henry Luce Foundation in 1974 to enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. Students apply directly to Luce Scholars. UCLA's endorsement is required. Eligibility: US citizen, hold an undergraduate degree by the time they take up the scholarship, minimum 3.7 GPA.

Marshall Scholarship

Applicants for the 2026 Marshall must have earned their first undergraduate degree after April 2023. The program recruits a diverse cohort (20 Canadian and 10 international students) of young leaders from all fields of study. Current UCLA undergraduates and recent graduates must be nominated by UCLA. Please contact the CSSE for assistance. UCLA can nominate one student each year.

The George Mitchell Scholarship

UPDATE March 2024: The Mitchell Scholarship announced a hiatus due to funding challenges and will not have a selection process in Fall '24. The George Mitchell Scholarship funds 1 year of graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland (in any field). Current undergraduates require UCLA’s endorsement. Eligibility: US citizen. Must be at least 18 years old but not yet 30 on Sept 26 of the year of application.

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans

It is a two-year leadership development and scholarship program. Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans honor and support the graduate educations of 30 New Americans (including permanent residents or naturalized citizens; adoptees who were born abroad; asylees or refugees; current or past DACA status; and children of naturalized citizen parents) each year. Fellows can study in any degree-granting program in any field at any university in the United States. Institutional endorsement is not required. Provides $5000, a conference in DC, grad school and job mentoring, and other opportunities.

Samvid Scholars

Samvid Scholars is a 2-year graduate scholarship for future leaders and change makers. min. Application opens in mid-Feb and is due in April.

Schwarzman Scholars

For Seniors or Recent Graduates interested in a one year MA program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Schwarzman Scholars study for a masters degree in Global Affairs. However, students with any undergraduate major are invited to apply. Institutional endorsement is not required, but the CSSE is available to assist with applications.

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State. It provides support (up to $42,000/year for two years) for a graduate program related to international affairs. Requires UCLA’s nomination. Eligibility: open to both continuing and transfer juniors, but you must be a 3rd year undergraduate when you apply (third year undergrads with senior standing are eligible. Grad students are not). US citizen (or US national), or expect to receive citizenship by the time the scholarship is awarded. Committed to a career in public service. To apply for UCLA's nomination, submit your completed application to the CSSE by Wednesday of Week 1 of Winter Quarter. You must contact CSSE Assistant Director Rebecca Blustein to obtain access to the Truman application portal.

The Udall Scholarship

The Udall Scholarship requires UCLA’s nomination. The committee looks for strong leadership and public service commitments. To apply for our campus nomination, submit your completed application (your long essay may still be a draft) to the SRC by Feb 1, 2023.

Yenching Academy of Peking University

UCLA is a partner university for the Yenching Academy of Peking University. The Yenching Academy of Peking University aims to build bridges between China and the rest of the world through an interdisciplinary master’s program in China Studies. This initiative brings together young people who have demonstrated a talent for leadership and innovation. At Yenching, they are immersed in an intensive learning environment where they can explore China and its past, present and future roles in the world. The Academy’s goal is to shape new generations of global citizens with a nuanced understanding of China.

The Yenching Academy provides full fellowships to its scholars, and offers them a wide array of interdisciplinary courses on China within broadly defined fields of the Humanities and Social Sciences. Working closely with their academic mentors, the Yenching scholars create their own study paths by choosing courses from six research areas. They also participate in a variety of extracurricular activities organized by the Yenching Academy and designed by scholars themselves. The Yenching Academy provides a generous fellowship that includes tuition fees, round-trip travel between scholars' home countries and Beijing, accommodation on campus, and a monthly stipend. We do not have a strict age cut-off for applicants, but to date, no person over the age of 28 has been admitted to the program.

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