OLLI at Illinois is a lifelong learning community that offers affordable, accessible, high-quality educational programs designed for people fifty and older connected to East Central Illinois. OLLI is membership-based with members from a variety of social and educational backgrounds, but all share a desire to participate in lifelong learning. OLLI Membership is required to register for courses, study groups, and most other programming.

All memberships are active from the day purchased through June 30, 2026. Half-year memberships are no longer available. Memberships must be renewed annually to access programming and member benefits. No refunds are given for Membership purchases.

Membership Categories & Costs

We have two membership categories: Annual Membership and Online-Only Annual Membership. Both annual memberships will be active from the day purchased through June 30, 2026. 

• Annual Membership ($60): Full access to all programming options, whether in-person or online. Members can alternate between registering for in-person and ZOOM sections with this option if they so choose. Eligible for OLLI Scholars Affiliate iCard if you live within 50 miles of Champaign-Urbana.
• Online-Only Annual Membership ($50): Access to all online programming options and a 10% discount on programming.

UIAA Members: Affiliate discount of 10% on membership cost for people who are active University of Illinois Alumni Association members. Not eligible for OLLI Scholars Affiliate iCard. (UIAA Annual = $54; UIAA Online-Only Annual = $45)

Scholarships are available. To find out more or to apply, visit the OLLI Scholarship webpage (coming soon) or contact olli@illinois.edu.

Member Benefits

As an OLLI member, you gain access to programming including, but not limited to:

• 8-week and 4-week courses offered each fall and spring semester taught by distinguished faculty (both current and emeritus) from the University of Illinois and other colleges and universities in the region, and community experts from a wide variety of areas.
• Four (summer, fall, winter, and spring) 6-week study group sessions organized and led or co-led (facilitated) by OLLI members on a wide variety of topics designed to encourage active discussion and engagement. Study groups are held during periods when courses are not in session. 
• Lectures delivered by UI faculty, community experts, and scholars and artists from across the country and around the world. These lectures provide a rich opportunity to discover new subjects in a one-time educational experience.
• Interest Groups led or co-led by OLLI members that enable members to share interests they have on a regular basis. 
• Local and regional tours and trips
• Social events, such as OLLI coffees, gatherings, trivia contests, and the annual banquet, which offer opportunities to strengthen friendships within our lifelong learning community.
• A one-week Documentary Series each June

OLLI Extras

We are happy to be able to offer some OLLI "extras" to members who live within a 50 mile radius of OLLI.

OLLI Scholars Affiliate iCard

Active OLLI members who live within 50 miles of OLLI are eligible for a University of Illinois affiliate OLLI Scholars i-Card. 

OLLI Scholars i-Card are valid from July 1 - June 30 of your membership year.

To request (or renew) an OLLI Scholars Affiliate i-Card, submit the OLLI Scholars iCard Request Form.

The OLLI Scholars Affiliate iCard includes the following benefits:

• Access to the University of Illinois Library and its renowned collections.
• Discounts at participating local and national merchants (NOTE: Discounts listed explicitly for faculty, staff, and students are not available for OLLI members who do not otherwise fall into these categories.)
• Ability to purchase a Campus Recreation Affiliate Membership.

Note: The OLLI Scholars iCard no longer includes access to free service on Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District bus routes.

University of Illinois Library

The University Library strives to meet the information needs of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute through world class collections, targeted instruction, and open events.

As part of the land grant mission, the University Library partners with OLLI to bring members access to the second largest university research library in North America and the largest publicly-supported university research library in the world. OLLI members who live within a 50 mile radius are able to check out materials from the library including books and videos, access online databases such as JSTOR, and read online newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal.

Read more about the Library's Collections.

To learn more about your OLLI library benefits, visit the Library guide for OLLI members.

Campus Recreation Affiliate Membership

OLLI Scholars are eligible to purchase Campus Recreation memberships as an Affiliate at the Affiliate rate. To purchase a membership with Campus Recreation, present your valid OLLI Scholars i-card to Member Services.

Lifetime Fitness Program Discount

The Lifetime Fitness Program is pleased to partner with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and extend discounts to OLLI members!

The Lifetime Fitness Program (LFP) at the University of Illinois is a community-based exercise program for Urbana-Champaign area residents ages 55 and over. The exercises and physical activity opportunities are designed to develop overall improvement in health, fitness, and performance of activities of daily living.

Directed by Professors Jack Senefeld and Emerson Sebastião, the staff is comprised of graduate students from the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Illinois. In addition, undergraduate Kinesiology students work with the program to develop fitness instructional skills.

Select OLLI member when purchasing your LFP membership to activate your discount as an OLLI member!