Abstract
Fee‐waiver programs for older persons wishing to take college courses are widely established throughout the United States. In place since the 1970s, after almost a decade of operation it has become apparent that these programs are not meeting the needs of either older persons or universities. This paper reviews some of the assumptions and characteristic policies of fee‐waiver programs and contrasts them with characteristics of the aging population and older learners in setting forth some tentative recommendations for changes in the posture of higher education toward the older population.