Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Contents
- What is the Bernard Osher Foundation?
- Why am I seeing the term OLLI?
- Who belongs to OLLI?
- Do I have to be an OLLI member to enroll in a course?
- Why does OLLI have a membership fee requirement?
- What does my membership fee include?
- When is registration? When do classes begin?
- How do I register?
- How are course fees determined?
- If a class is full, can I add my name to a waitlist?
- Are my membership and course fees refundable?
- Does OLLI offer tuition assistance?
- Can I make a donation to OLLI at CSU?
- Is assistive-listening technology available?
- Can I buy an OLLI gift certificate?
- Do you cancel courses due to weather conditions?
- Are there ways to get involved and volunteer with OLLI?
- Does OLLI have resources about Tech Skills for Older Adults?
- How do I become an OLLI instructor?
What is the Bernard Osher Foundation?
The Bernard Osher Foundation, headquartered in San Francisco, was founded in 1977 by respected businessman, philanthropist, and community leader Bernard Osher. The Foundation seeks to improve quality of life through innovative funding in higher education and the arts.
The Foundation supports a national lifelong learning network of programs designed for adults 50 and better; Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes operate on 120+ college and university campuses in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. View a brief animated video history of The Osher Institute Legacy of Bernard Osher.
Initially endowed by the Bernard Osher Foundation, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Colorado State University was established in 2006 and is a membership-based program in the Office of Engagement and Extension committed to fostering lifelong learning and enriching lives. Courses are offered in-person and online and are designed to engage members in learning for the fun of it.
Why am I seeing the term OLLI?
OLLI is the commonly used abbreviation for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute which you’ll see us using throughout our catalog and on the website. Same great program, just an acronym.
Who belongs to OLLI?
Our members are people like you from all backgrounds, professions, education, and places. We welcome adults of all ages, with special consideration of those 50 and better, with a desire to learn, engage, build new friendships, and take an active part in discovering more about the world around us.
Do I have to be an OLLI member to enroll in a course?
Yes, OLLI is membership-based, and you must pay a non-refundable membership fee each term to enroll in OLLI classes.
Why does OLLI have a membership fee requirement?
OLLI is a member-based, member-driven program. Membership fees, course tuition, and donations are critical to our institute’s success and sustainability – they help support our dynamic, quality programming and remind students that they are part of an engaged learning community and a national network of lifelong learners.
What does my membership fee include?
An OLLI membership fee of $25 for each term is required to register for all OLLI classes, lectures, and special programs.
Paid membership fees each term will include 5+ complimentary member bonus lectures and activities.
When is registration? When do classes begin?
Online registration opens about 3 weeks before classes begin each term and is ongoing. You can register for a class right up to the start date.
- Registration for spring '26 will be open on Jan. 13 at 9am for all art classes and on Jan. 14 at 9am for all other courses.
- Limited in-person registration will be available during the Open House on January 22 (2:00-4:00pm at the Fort Collins Senior Center).
How do I register?
A basic guide on how to register can be found in the file available for download here: How To Register.pdf. Also check out our Registration Tips and Tricks.
How are course fees determined?
Course fees are generally based on a charge of $5/course hour. For example, a 6-week course meeting for two hours per week is $60, and an 6-week course meeting for two hours per week is $60. Individual OLLI Talks (2-hour lectures) are generally $10. Special programs and tours are charged according to their unique costs and associated fees (e.g., transportation, supplies, facility rentals, etc.). Courses with limited enrollment capacity may also have a slightly higher tuition.
If a class is full, can I add my name to a waitlist?
Yes, please! When you register online, you’ll be able to add your name to the waitlist if an OLLI class is full. If space becomes available, you’ll receive an email, and will have 48 hours to determine if you’d like to take that space. If you don’t, no additional action is needed as the automated system will offer the space to the next person on the waitlist. If a new section of a class is able to be added, waiting list members will receive priority access to register first.
Are my membership and course fees refundable?
OLLI membership fees include 4-6 complimentary member bonus lectures and activities each term and are nonrefundable. Course tuition fees are nonrefundable except on a case-by-case basis, full or partial tuition refunds may be considered providing an extenuating circumstance exists. If you need to drop a class, you are encouraged to request a transfer to an OLLI class of equal value that may better fit your schedule. If you feel you have a unique situation requiring a course tuition refund, complete the online Refund Appeal Form. The OLLI Appeal Committee will review your request and notify you of the decision.
If a course is cancelled by OLLI, a course refund will be processed. Credit card refunds require 10 business days.
Does OLLI offer tuition assistance?
Absolutely! Tuition assistance funding is available through the generosity of the Oltjenbruns Tuition Assistance fund and the Cathy Stawarski Osher Excellence Scholarship fund. If financial hardship is preventing you from taking OLLI courses, you’re encouraged to apply for tuition assistance. Please complete the online Tuition Assistance Fund Application Form or contact the OLLI team at OLLI@colostate.edu if you have any questions.
Can I make a donation to OLLI at CSU?
Your ongoing support of our Institute helps us reach our annual fundraising goals. With your tax-deductible contributions, we can enhance, grow and continue to create an engaging and thoughtful learning environment. Please consider making a generous online donation today.
Is assistive-listening technology available?
Yes, thanks to the generosity of OLLI members, Barbara and Bob Hoel, both OLLI classrooms at Drake Hall have t-coil hearing loops installed. The loop provides clear, customized sound for people who use hearing aids or cochlear implants with telecoils. People who don’t use hearing aids or who don’t have telecoils in their hearing aids can borrow a receiver and headphones for classes from the OLLI office. Prior to utilizing the hearing loop system, users will need to activate the telecoil setting and have it appropriately configured for their own hearing aid. Please contact your audiologist for support and specific questions.
For more information about assistive listening systems, see this handout or visit www.centerforhearingaccess.org.
Can I buy an OLLI gift certificate?
Looking for the perfect gift for a friend or relative? Give the gift of learning! We have gift certificates available for any occasion. Email the OLLI team at OLLI@colostate.edu for more information and we'll be happy to help you arrange a gift certificate for membership, tuition, and/or merchandise. You can also submit this ORDER FORM and a staff member will contact you to complete the purchase.
Do you cancel courses due to weather conditions?
OLLI follows CSU's severe weather policy in regard to canceling in-person courses due to weather. If extreme weather occurs and you have questions about CSU or OLLI's status, please email us at OLLI@colostate.edu. It is important that we also have your correct phone number so we can contact you in case of an emergency.
Are there ways to get involved and volunteer with OLLI?
Yes! OLLI offers multiple ways to get involved and give back to our community of learners. Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) are facilitated by member volunteers who coordinate schedules and work with OLLI staff to communicate and promote SIG activities. OLLI members often decide to share their expertise and experience as instructors. We also welcome volunteers to become active members of a variety of new committees and initiatives. These active members provide assistance at OLLI events and serve to promote OLLI in the community. To find out more about any of these opportunities or to get involved directly, please complete this Volunteer Survey.
Does OLLI have resources about local agencies or Tech Skills for Older Adults?
Yes! OLLI has partnered with the CSU Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) to provide multiple Tech Skills for Older Adults classes each semester. In addition to informative presentations about specific skills, these courses are hands-on and provide 1:1 work with a CSU undergraduate student. Handouts and videos about specific tech skills (including various popular apps) can be found at the CHA website HERE. Additional health and wellness resources found locally are available HERE.
How do I become an OLLI instructor?
Thank you for your interest in becoming an OLLI at Colorado State University instructor. OLLI is always interested in welcoming new instructors who bring exciting in-person and virtual learning opportunities in a wide range of academic subjects and instructional formats.
Proposals for the spring term are no longer being accepted but a new proposal portal for the fall of 2026 will open on Monday, March 2. Proposals for the fall term will be accepted until mid-April. Instructors who have submitted for the fall will be notified once proposal approval and scheduling decisions have been made in late May. If you are new to OLLI and interested in teaching, please email olli@colostate.edu before submitting a proposal.
Proposals are accepted based on a variety of factors (e.g., content, expertise, schedule availability, appeal, etc.). Please review the Course Review Guidelines and current OLLI at CSU Instructor Handbook for more information.