Join our unique learning community.
OLLI offers a unique learning community that is life enriching, offering opportunities to engage with new people and actively participate in intellectually stimulating study groups. Beyond OLLI study groups are a wide range of extra-curricular activities that also provide meaningful intellectual and social engagement.
Participation in the OLLI program is based on membership. Purchasing a membership allows you to join a given number of study groups in a session/semester (varies by membership level, see Membership Options below) as well as access lectures, workshops, enrichment opportunities and Northwestern benefits. OLLI offers a variety of membership options. Choose a membership level that best fits your lifestyle.
OLLI Memberships are available for purchase prior to each session during the registration period. You can purchase them online through the OLLI Online Registration System. The membership types available vary depending on the time of year you are registering. Go here to view a chart illustrating which membership types are available during each registration period. If you have any questions please contact the OLLI office.
Memberships are purchased through the OLLI Online Registration System. You will need to sign in or create a profile to purchase a membership:
OLLI Online Registration System
Membership Options
Prime Membership
$699 Full Academic Year/$380 Half Academic Year
Our Prime Membership is perfect for people who want to take advantage of the entire Osher Lifelong Learning experience. The Full Academic Year option entitles you to take up to three study groups in the fall, winter, spring and summer for a total of 12 study groups.
- A Great Value: Approximately $3/classroom hour.
- Save $60 by purchasing a full vs. two half-year Prime memberships.
The Half Academic Year option entitles you to take up to three study groups in the fall and winter or spring and summer for a total of 6 study groups.
Note: Half Academic Year memberships DO NOT include a Wildcard.
Standard Membership
$615 Full Academic Year/$335 Half Academic Year
The Standard Membership is perfect for people who want to engage in a learning community but aren’t quite ready to participate at the Prime membership level. The Full Academic Year option entitles you to take up to two study groups in the fall, winter, spring and summer for a total of 8 study groups.
- A Great Value: Approximately $4/classroom hour.
- Save $55 by purchasing a full vs. two half-year Standard memberships.
The Half Academic Year option entitles you to take up to two study groups in the fall and winter or spring and summer for a total of 4 study groups.
Note: Half Academic Year memberships DO NOT include a Wildcard.
Basic Membership
$485 Full Academic Year/ $275 Half Academic Year
Working part-time? This is the ideal membership for you. The Full Academic Year option entitles you to take one study group in the fall, winter, spring and summer for a total of 4 study groups.
- A Great Value: Approximately $6/classroom hour.
- Save $65 by purchasing a full vs. two half-year Basic memberships.
The Half Academic Year option entitles you to take one study group in the fall and winter or spring and summer for a total of 2 study groups.
Note: Half Academic Year memberships DO NOT include a Wildcard.
Trial Membership
$225 Half Academic Year (available only to new members, half year only)
Our Trial Membership is the perfect “get acquainted” level for individuals who are interested in seeing what OLLI has to offer. This special rate is for first-time members only and, if purchase for the fall, entitles you to take one study group in the fall and winter for a total of 2 study groups. It may be purchased one time only. The Trial Membership is also available for purchase in the winter (for 1 winter and 1 spring study group), or in the spring (for 1 spring and 1 summer study group). It is not available for purchase in the summer.
Note: Trial memberships DO NOT include a Wildcard.
Winter or Summer Only
$165 for the 4-week Winter or Summer Only Term
The Winter or Summer Only option entitles you to take two 4-week study groups in the summer term or winter term.
Note: Winter or Summer Only memberships DO NOT include a Wildcard.
Member Benefits
"Curiosity Never Retires" is OLLI's slogan. When you become a member of our lifelong learning community, you'll have a lot of fun in an intellectually stimulating atmosphere, and you'll meet many very interesting people along the way. In fact, many OLLI members remark that they came to learn, but in the process acquired a whole new set of friends.
All OLLI members enjoy:
- Intellectually stimulating study groups with engaging peers
- A variety of extra-curricular activities such as special lectures and social gatherings
- Workshop training in how to lead and participate in good discussions
- OLLI E-Newsletter
- Notices about Northwestern campus activities of interest to OLLI
- An opportunity to participate in the governance of OLLI through the Advisory Council and its Committees
- Occasional travel/study opportunities
- Free use of OLLI copy machines for copying of study group material
- Access to Northwestern Library and Online Databases
Prime, Standard and Basic Full Year Memberships also receive a University student Wildcard ID with the following privileges:
- Access to Northwestern Library and Online Databases with borrowing privileges
- Free campus and intercampus shuttles
- Reduced rates to audit School of Professional Studies classes after one full year of active OLLI membership (as determined by the OLLI director)
- Affiliate rates to join the University campus athletic facilities
- Student discounts