AUBURN – The University of Southern Maine Senior College at Lewiston-Auburn College and Schooner Estates Retirement Community are collaborating to expand course offerings to area seniors.

The senior college allows adults over the age of 50 to take courses for interest and are taught by other seniors volunteering their time. There are no tests or quizzes. Subjects vary from how-to-do to academic topics.

Courses may be one day classes in the winter or run four to eight weeks in the fall and spring. Membership for the academic year is $25; courses cost $25 each for the first two and $10 each for each course beyond that.

The agreement between the two organizations includes free transportation for Schooner Estates tenants to classes at the college in the spring and fall. Also, at least one course each semester will be taught at Schooner Estates, which will be open to tenants first, with open enrollment for any senior in the area after a predetermined date.

Schooner Estates has created the Schooner Estates Scholarship Fund which provides scholarship money for any senior interested in joining the college and taking courses. Interested seniors can apply for the scholarship when they make application to senior college.

For more information call Jane Morrison at Schooner Estates at 784-2900 or Sandi Croft at The University of Southern Maine Senior College at Lewiston-Auburn College at 753-6556.