Tuition waivers out for working seniors
Legislature alters program for those older than 60
If you go
To make arrangements to address the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging, contact chairwoman Rep. Denny Neilson, D-Darlington, at 803-734-3097 or DWN@schouse.org.
Jane Ries went to the College of Charleston late last month planning to take advantage of a state program that waives tuition for people older than 60 and enroll in a creative writing class.
When she got there, school officials told her that the Legislature had changed the program this year to exclude people who are working full time, she said.
Ries, who is a real estate agent, said admission officials told her she could take the class but it would cost about $1,000.
Ries, 64, is single and supports herself. And that's tough right now in the sluggish housing market, she said.
'Most people like me who are working at my age are doing it because they have to,' she said. Legislators' decision to exclude working people from the tuition-waiver program is 'not really logical,' she added.
Dorinda Harmon, the college's director of transfer and adult student admissions, said the program previously was available to all adults older than 60. But the college, just like other public higher education institutions statewide, has no choice but to follow the statute, she said.
Patrick Cobb, a spokesman for AARP South Carolina, said he wasn't aware of the change that excludes full-time working seniors from the tuition-waiver program but his organization is 'going to take a look at it.'
'Lifelong learning is so important for older adults, especially in the technology age,' he said. Many older people who had retired have been 'forced back to work by a poor economy,' he said.
John Legare, public information coordinator for Lt. Governor Andre Bauer's Office on Aging, suggested that people who have a problem with the
change in the program contact their legislators or make a request to speak to the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging.
'If this is of interest to the senior population,
then it's something we'll look into and see what we can do to help.'
Reach Diane Knich at 937-5491 or dknich@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
oldglory (anonymous) says...
"Dorinda Harmon, the college's director of transfer and adult student admissions, said the program previously was available to all adults older than 60. But the college, just like other public higher education institutions statewide, has no choice but to follow the statute, she said."
SC has once again pooled its collective wisdom to exclude those who are most in need.
September 7, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
Once again those trying to better themselves are shut out.If you want a hand up NOT a hand out-you're screwed.Oh you need help with education,food or healthcare?You better quit your job.We don't help people who are truly trying hard and need a little help.This is what causes a cycle of abuse of the system and you can't really blame some people.Beating a dead rotting horse here,but the system needs to change.
September 7, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
follygurl (anonymous) says...
What a shame that the College has endless funds to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to outside legal council (Young, Rivers, and Clement) for several frivolous lawsuits, but can't afford to allow some senior citizens to sit in on classes to better themselves. Now THAT is what you call fiscally irresponsible!!
September 7, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonnative1963 (anonymous) says...
Why is it that people who think are labled as a liberal. In talking with people I find that the lower their economic and educational background the more likely they are tobe hard nosed conservatives. In a state where only 17% of the population holds a college degree one would have to wonder why these policies come about. Of course we can make similar comparrisons to our aging school bus problem, our over crowded classrooms, and our low pay for teachers.
September 7, 2008 at 12:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flamingliberal (anonymous) says...
What intrigues me is the fact that this state is pretty much run by conservatives, but die-hard blow holes like RW still feel the need to biatch about it. But they don't complain about the conservatives in charge OH NOOOOOOOO. They complain about the democrats seeking to make positive change. Now wheres the logic in that backwoods, sandwhich-eating redneck pseudothought process. And if all of those who think are labled liberal, then I guess I chose the right, um, correct side.
September 7, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dogwoodroad (anonymous) says...
how did this become a liberal/conservative issue?
Again...people expecting handouts and complaining when they don't receive them. Actually, I think they used a poor example in this article - a creative writing class is not exactly going to foster future productivity from this individual...it is just an example of asking the goverment to provide free entertainment.
I personally would like it if the government would pay for my drinks on a night out...
September 7, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
I don't think these seniors expect handouts. But I do believe that seniors should be able to sign up for classes without having to pay ridiculous tuition rates. What is the problem of allowing free classes to seniors? I'm sure they are not taking seats away from diploma-seeking, paying students.
AND YES. Creative writing courses can foster future productivity from even old people. Any education promotes cognitive activity (helps prevent dementia and alzheimers). It also simply helps a person's mental well being and self esteem. When taking into consideration that this lady is still working to support herself and probably can't afford to pay $1000 / class, what is the problem with giving her an otherwise empty seat in an enjoyable class.
September 7, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dogwoodroad (anonymous) says...
yeah...I can't really afford my tuition either...but the government is not giving education to me for free...I have to pay it back with interest.
September 7, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
Yeah. I well remember college loans. I, too, am taking one class per year (all I can afford) to earn another degree. That doesn't mean that I begrudge this lady a creative writing course. It's sad that most people have an "I don't get it so neither should you" attitude.
But, you have nothing to worry about. The oh-so-admirable legislators share that stingy attitude. This lady will be denied a chance to further her education and foster her intellect.
By the way. How much money does the South Carolina Education Lottery bring in??? Who exactly does benefit from that money? I mean other than "special interest groups".
September 7, 2008 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dogwoodroad (anonymous) says...
alright, alright...I do understand the point...but I think people are missing mine.
I could care less that the goverment is not paying my tuition. I don't want them to do so. In fact, there are a lot of people griping, because the government is cutting back on loan repayment programs for people in the field of medicine. However, I refuse to fall prey to the idea that I am owed something by the government. I will not complain that they are probably not going to repay my tuition. Why? Because I don't think the government's purpose is to make my life easier. It's not a question of me being angry that someone is getting something that I am not getting. I am offended at the amount of things that everyone in this country thinks they deserve!!!!! These things are not necessities!
As for this particular bill...I completely understand the need for seniors to be able to access education. Again, I think that they picked the wrong example here. This is a woman who wants to take creative writing...try community education...they have great classes that are cheap and actually occur after business hours. If you need a class to re-enter the work force or to further job skills in your current field, then that is a different story - but they didn't highlight a person who is dealing with that issue.
However, to say that one group of people deserves to audit a class over another is just creating another -ism. What about the 24 year old kid that is working (yes, many 24 year olds work...I am not 24...just using that as an example) and can't afford college, but wants to take a creative writing class...can he not go sit in the room and "take up an empty chair?" No, he can't. Unfortunately, ageism thus far only refers to senior citizens. Someday I'm sure that will get challenged in court.
As for senior citizens deserving something for all of their hard work...you are right...THEY DO!!! it's called social security and medicare. Are they getting enough from those programs? probably not...but that as nothing to do with the current article.
re: the SC education lottery...I think the only people who are benefitting from that are 18 year olds who graduated from high school...I personally don't understand why they didn't invest more money in K-12 programs if they were going to "improve education". So far I don't see any improvement related to the lottery.
Point of all of this? America is the "land of opportunity". Everyone should get the same opportunity, but that does not guarantee everyone experiences the same outcome!!!
September 8, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
CHRISJIII (anonymous) says...
Welcome to S.C. where there's no education for either the young nor the old!!!That's the GOP way isn't it?
September 8, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustJennings (anonymous) says...
This is just more stupidity of gouvernment officials. They like to punish those who continue to work and be productive while rewarding those who refuse to work. It is much like the many people who will lose their medical coverage if they make too much money, so they don't work either even when they would like to!
September 12, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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