Frequently Asked Questions

• We are a welcoming community for people over the age of 50 of any race, nationality, ethnic origin, faith, disability, educational level, gender, or orientation. 

• Our mission is to improve the quality and dignity of senior adult life through continuing intellectual challenge, spiritual reflection, and social interaction. We believe that through deeper connections to their community, the opportunity to give back, and a sense of purpose, we help retirees live healthier, longer, and more vibrant lives. 

• No. While we were founded by a former Holy Cross Priest our mission is completely secular. We are a welcoming place for people of all faiths or no faith to attend.  

• No. We rent the school attached to the Little Flower Parish Center but are not part of the church. Our mission is purely secular. 

• Forever Learning offers courses during 4 semesters a year. Spring and Fall semesters are 10-weeks long, and Summer and Winter semesters are 5-6 weeks long. Classes meet at the same time once per week unless otherwise noted. Course Guides will be available in print and digital form 5-6 weeks prior to the start of a semester.
  
  General Schedule (Dates Subject to Change) 
  

  • Winter Semester - Early January to Mid February
  • Spring Semester - Early March to Mid May 
  • Summer Semester - Early July to Mid August
  • Fall Semester - Early September to Mid November 

  
  

• Most classes offered meet once per week for 1-2 hours. During Spring and Fall semester most classes are 10 weeks long. Summer and Winter semesters are 5-6 weeks long. We also offer many 1 day only presentations and courses which are generally free.  

• Most classes are held in person at our main campus, 54191 N Ironwood Rd. South Bend IN. 46635. We are in the school attached to the Little Flower Parish Center. 
  
  Classes are also offered at the locations of several community partners, such as Southfield Village, The Howard Park Event Center, Holy Cross Village, The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, St. Joe County Parks, St. Paul's Life Plan Community, and the St. Joseph County Public Library. We offer classes remotely via Zoom as well. 
  
  We believe in the power of being together in a physical space to promote connectedness and socialization.  

• The best way to sign up for a class is our online enrollment platform CourseStorm. Click here to go to CourseStorm. You can also use a paper registration form, which can be mailed or returned to our office address, or call us. 
  
  Registration for classes opens at 9am sharp 3 - 4 weeks before the start of a semester and continues until the start of classes. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

• Yes, we encourage you to sign up for classes as early as possible. Class seats are first come first served and some fill to capacity on the first day of enrollment. Paper enrollments can be delivered or mailed to the office before registration opens, but will not processed until registration day.

• You should join the waitlist if a course is full. If an opening becomes available we will notify you and give you the option to enroll. We also frequently add additional sessions of popular classes to accommodate waitlisted students, subject to instructor schedules. We work hard to place waitlisted students and hundreds each year are ultimately able to get into their desired class.

• Most courses are $55 for 10-week classes, and $35 for 6-week classes. We also offer many of free and reduced price classes. We strive to keep classes affordable, and have increased tuition just once in the past 20 years. 
  
  Courses may have a copy or supply fee which will be noted, and is typically payable to the instructor at the first class. Please note a $2.49 processing fee is assessed for each online enrollment and is non-refundable. 

• Yes, in keeping with our mission scholarships are available for those with a financial need. We aim to ensure this community is accessible to all and have never turned away a student due to inability to pay. A scholarship request form can be submitted to our office and is approved based upon availability. 

• Yes, we close when South Bend Community Schools are closed or delayed due to weather. Out of caution this means we are closed if there is a 2-hour delay. Watch for closure alerts on WNDU or WSBT news.
  
  We will notify students via email or phone should a closure occur as soon as possible. Make-up classes may be held at the discretion of the teacher and subject to availability, but cannot be guaranteed.

• FLI reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment or instructor illness. If a class is cancelled, registered students will be notified, and a full refund, or transfer to another class will be offered.

• If you withdraw from a class prior to the second class meeting you may elect to either;

  • Receive a full refund (less online processing fee if applicable) 
  • Transfer to another available class
  • Or donate the proceeds in support of the mission of Forever Learning 

  
  No course credits or refunds will be offered to students withdrawing after the second class meeting.

• Students are required to agree to and sign a waiver to attend classes, either as part of the online enrollment or on the registration form.
  
  The waiver is as follows: By taking classes or travel opportunities, I understand and agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless and indemnify The Forever Learning Institute, Inc. (FLI) its agents, instructors, employees, or other entities acting on its behalf from all claims, demands, rights, and causes of action of any kind. I, hereby, waive all claims from personal injury or property damage arising from my activities or use of the facilities and equipment at FLI and all offsite facilities, and I accept, assume, and incur all responsibility for risk of injury from such activity and exercise. I also agree to allow any pictures taken of me during classes or activities at FLI to be used in publications/publicity for the program.

• 1. Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter
  2. Signup for our Course Guide mailing list. (This is NOT necessary if you have already taken a class)  

• We will NEVER sell, distribute, or share your information with parties outside our organization.