
University of South Dakota, University Center* University of North Carolina, Wilmington* Stony Brook State University of New York* The Foundation supports a growing national network of lifelong learning institutes for seniors located at colleges and universities across the USA from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska. The Bernard Osher Foundation is a 31-year-old philanthropic organization headquartered in San Francisco and supports higher education and the arts. The National Resource Center for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is headquartered at the University of Southern Maine (USM) and serves as the national center for the current network of over one hundred lifelong learning institutes throughout the USA. Senior classes and leaning opportunities must occur in real-time not online or through distance learning.The program must offer opportunities for volunteer leadership.



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Universities or colleges interested in learning how to start an Osher life-long learning program for seniors can do so by applying for a grant and adhering to the following general guidelines: Some Osher Lifelong Learning Institute locations offer scholarships for seniors over 50 years of age who cannot afford class tuition but who would like to participate in higher learning with other seniors. Seniors can also learn through Lunch & Learn sessions which feature lectures from experts on a wide range of subjects. In addition to the regular Osher Lifelong Learning Institute class schedule, seniors may be able to join study groups with other seniors who are interested in learning about similar topics. Wide ranging topics are available for seniors to explore such as: global events, the arts, history, health science research, financial planning, global issues of the day and more. Senior classes cover several areas in art, humanities, life skills, and current events. The Institute offers seniors higher education without the details of course credit, tests, grades, or papers.Ĭlasses are taught by peer instructors in the same 50+ age group. The focus at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is simply on senior learning. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is operating in over 100 universities and colleges across the USA. "OLLI’s mission is to provide its membership of dedicated lifelong learners with a year-round curriculum of high-quality noncredit courses, as well as intellectually stimulating social, cultural, and volunteer opportunities."

Emphasis is placed on learning for the joy of learning and on keeping in touch with a larger world." "The Bernard Osher Foundation's Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes grant program provides support to institutions of higher education to develop and strengthen initiatives that offer intellectually stimulating, non-credit courses specifically designed for students 50 years of age or older who are interested in personal enrichment. Thanks to dedicated community and university leaders and volunteers, OLLI has now expanded into one of America's fastest growing and leading programs in lifelong learning." It began with a vision-a simple idea, really: to provide a stimulating program for older learners. "OLLI started as Senior College in 1997 at the University of Southern Maine.
