Registration and Course Allocation

Becoming a Member

If you are new to OLLI, you will need to purchase an annual OLLI membership ($300) prior to or at the same time you request courses. If you are a member, ensure your membership is current by signing into your member account on the member website. If you need assistance, please call the OLLI office at 612-624-7847. 

Memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Need financial assistance? OLLI is committed to making membership available to all who are interested in joining. Learn more about the Miriam B. Seltzer Scholarship for OLLI memberships.

Special request: When you join or renew, please consider responding "YES" to the question about having your picture taken, being part of a video, and the like. As you can see, we love to share unique moments that help to tell the OLLI@UMN story. Saying "YES" to the OLLI Talent Release Waiver allows us to do just that!  

Course Registration Process

Now that you’re a member, you’re ready to request OLLI courses!

Like many Osher institutes, OLLI at the UMN works to ensure members receive their desired courses using an equal-opportunity allocation model.

Each term, members request their preferred courses and assign a priority (1, 2, 3, etc.) to the courses for which they would like to register. There is no limit to the number of courses a member may request.

This is followed by a course allocation period during which an algorithm is run for courses that may have more requests than seats. Registration is closed during this period to retain the integrity of members’ requests.

After being notified about the courses in which they are successfully enrolled, registration reopens so members can enroll in additional courses.

Request Courses Online

To request courses online, simply sign in to your member account and follow the How to Request/Register for Courses instructions. (Be sure to select the Request Course button.)

After you have added courses to your cart, review and remove any undesired courses by selecting Remove, then verify the personal data that appears at check out and select Next.

Review your order. The process is not complete until you click Purchase. You will then receive an email that details your requested courses.

Note: Members do not pay special fees during the request period. Any fees are paid after being notified about the courses in which you have been enrolled.

Request Courses by Mail

To ensure you are be included in the allocation process, your course requests must be received by 4 p.m. on the final day of the course request period. Due to reported delays in the delivery of First Class mail, we strongly encourage you to mail your requests well in advance of the deadline.

Send the following to: OLLI, University of Minnesota, 360 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108.

1. First and last name, mailing address, daytime phone, and email address
2. Course requests: List the course title, course number, and order of priority, with 1 being your first choice
3. Membership fee: If you do not have a membership or you are renewing your membership, include a check for $300 made payable to University of Minnesota

Making Changes During the Request Period

You may sign in to your account to add courses or change the order of course priority at any time during the request period. (Select My Account ➞ Course Priorities. Courses may be reprioritized using the Priority dropdown menu ➞ select Save Priorities.)

If you made your request(s) via postal mail, you may change your course priorities by emailing olli@umn.edu or calling 612-624-7847.

To remove a course, email olli@umn.edu.

Course Fees

Being a member means there is no limit to the number of courses you may request. However, some courses have fees that go directly to OLLI’s nonprofit program partners, many of whom are dealing with significant financial setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasingly, these organizations are finding it necessary to charge a fee for partnered courses. These fees are listed in the course information.

OLLI Policies

OLLI is committed to providing equal access to its programs and a safe and respectful learning environment for all participants. Learn more about OLLI's class cancellation and code of conduct guidelines, as well as our commitment to accessibility on the OLLI Policies page.