If you are returning or heading for school for the first time, you are not on your own. Scores of retirees are returning to school and studying the books. They have decided it’s never too late to learn.

While you may not feel that you blend in with your 18 -year-old fellow students, it all adds to the educational experience. Many grown-up students have returned, not to necessarily earn a degree, but to learn more and keep their minds sharp.

Many schools are providing seniors low-priced or free tuition because they have unfilled spaces in the classroom. So students don’t have to spend their pensions in order to improve their knowledge. Also, older students can still go and participate in the class but they aren’t responsible for taking any exams.

Schools have come to realize that there are benefits in having a full class. Plus, seniors add different perspectives and diversity that contribute to an even better educational experience.

For seniors that are interested in earning a college degree, there are many options that can help you pay for it. There are even grants from your state that are exclusively for seniors. You can also verify your eligibility for a scholarship with USA funds.

Seniors also have the option to take online classes that allows them to stay at home and learn. They don’t have to worry about cold weather or getting to campus. They can be taught, turn in assignments, and chat with teachers but they will miss out on the personal interaction they would have with students and teachers on campus.

If older students are worried about returning to school after being gone so long, many colleges offer remedial classes, tutoring, and university counseling which can help students with their transition back to school. Although you may feel uncomfortable and confused at first, there are options out there that can help you. Lily Allen, 72 returned to the classroom after 50 years and acquired a B.S. in Gerontology.

While education in the classroom is a good fit for some, study abroad fits others better. Many seniors over 55 can take an Elderhostel trip. While many may not get college credit for it, they are able to visit, discover, and experience the world.

If you aren’t quite that daring and wish to remain within the U.S. or your neighborhood, there are programs that can give you a cultural experience, without leaving your comfort zone. These programs can last anytime from a day to several weeks, and the costs differgreatly.

If seniors want to come back to the classroom, there are many options out there. That’s awesome that schools want to fill the classroom and will let older students return for free of charge or low-price tuition. It’s a great way for seniors to expand their knowledge and really understand and associate with another generation.

In my college experience, I had older students in my classes and I really enjoyed it because they brought up different perspectives. It made the class new and interesting. They presented relevant facts, ideas, or even life experiences that I may not have recognized or even thought about. Older students really helped improve the classroom and I valued what they added to the classroom.

Diane Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. She likes to write about the news, politics, college degrees, online colleges, and the college experience.