FAQ

Any adult who enjoys continuing to learn may take classes. Our students are mostly retired since our classes are taught during the daytime hours.

We post on the website the class schedule for the fall semester in early August and for the spring semester in early December. Usually the catalog of all courses is available on the website at about the same time. The printed catalog is mailed to those on our catalog mailing list about then as well.

We mail our printed catalog two times a year, about four to six weeks before a semester begins. To get on our mailing list, send your name, street address, city, state, and zip code to info@aikenlearning.org or fill out our online sign-up form. You may also download a copy of the catalog by clicking here.

There is a membership fee of $35 per semester. You must be a member to register for classes. There is an additional fee for each course that ranges from $5 to $28 based on the type of course and the number of times the class meets. You may review the additional fee in the list of courses.

Classes for fall semester start in September and those for spring semester in January. You may get the details at the Registration Information webpage.

Just let us know! We are always looking for new volunteers interested in helping others to learn. You may let us know by emailing us. If you are registering for a course, there is also a place on the form to indicate you would like to volunteer.

The two organizations saw opportunities for increased outreach, improved efficiency of operations, and better use of resources to improve the variety of courses to offer to Aiken area adults.

Yes. The Academy taught courses on history, art, well being, music, cooking, literature, and others. These will be continued as General Interest courses by the Center. McGrath taught courses in the use of personal technology such as computers and smartphones. These will be continued as Technology courses.

Yes. The Academy previously used a flat membership fee per semester and McGrath charged for each course. The new fee structure will combine those approaches. A membership fee of $35.00 per semester will be charged to take any course. Each course will have an additional fee based on the type of course and number of times the class meets.

Following an agreement signed on January 11, 2024, the Center is now a division of the Office of External Programs of the University. The day-to-day activities of the Center are run by an Advisory Board staffed by volunteers. The Advisory Board works closely with University personnel to ensure the smooth running of the program. The Center abides by all University policies and procedures.

The University provides support, administrative services, and physical facilities to the Center. The Center interfaces directly with the USC Aiken Office of External Programs.

Under certain circumstances, USC Aiken classes may be free of tuition for those at least 60 years old. However, while the Center is a division of the USC Aiken Office of External Programs, it is not a part of the state-supported university and our classes are not covered by that policy.