Meritus Scholars|Central Classroom, Suite 223

The MSU Denver Meritus Scholars program allows persons aged 60 years or older to participate for free in courses offered by the University on a non-credit basis. Participants may attend courses on campus as well as online and hybrid courses.

Most courses are eligible for this program based on the approval of the instructor and the availability of space. Please view the Restricted Courses list in the Course Information section for courses not supported by the program.

If you are new to Meritus Scholars OR if you have not taken a class in over a year, below is a quick overview of what to expect (if you are a returning participant, skip to step 4):

1. Fill out the Meritus Scholars Application so that we can enter your information into the system
2. Wait at least two weeks for your university credentials
3. Register your email account at My First Log In and set-up your multifactor authentication here Microsoft Authenticator
4. Go to the Meritus Scholars Registration page for more information on how to register for classes
5. Fill out the registration form during the registration period
6. Note that it is up to the discretion of the instructor to allow you to register for their class
7. Some courses are restricted, see our Restricted Course list in the Course Information section for courses not supported by the program.
8. Wait for an email from [email protected] to find out whether the instructor has approved or denied your course registration
9. You will have access to the Canvas course approximately 24-48 hours after Meritus Scholars staff has entered you into the system.  Please review Accessing Canvas at MSU Denver

The Meritus Scholars program began in the early 1980s when our parent department, The Center for Individualized Learning, was know as Adult Learning Services.

What started as a program offering free audit courses to community members 60 years of age and older, it has grown into a program offering other opportunities such as:

• comprehensive participant registration services including an online registration portal and personal on campus customer services;
• an official university identification card which allows access to campus events and selected student services;
• a by-weekly university event calendar;
• a university email account, student identification number, and access to Microsoft 360 applications when enrolled in courses;
• and a Spring and Fall social event for participants.

• Fall 2025 courses begin Monday, August 18, 2025.
• Course enrollment occurs on the first day of the class; tuition paying students have priority in the university registration process.
• Empty “seats” must be available in both in-person and on-line courses for a Meritus Scholar to attend.
• Meritus Scholars are permitted to register for 2 courses per semester.
• Meritus Scholars participants do not have to meet pre-requisite requirements for courses they attend.  They just need the approval of the instructor.
• Attendance in courses is always at the discretion of the course instructor.
• Courses are taken on a non-credit basis. If you wish to earn credit, then you should apply through the regular admissions process.
• You only apply for admission IF you want to take the course for credit, which involves paying regular tuition and fees. Meritus Scholars participants do not formally register for the courses they wish to audit, nor do they need to apply to be admitted to the University.
• Do not contact Admissions or Registration to register in the Meritus Scholars Program, you may inadvertently be admitted/registered through the university and may receive a tuition bill.

If you are wondering how to search for courses or if courses have available seats, you can use the Meritus Scholars: Finding Your Courses handout.  Please email [email protected] to request a copy of this resource.

Instructions include options for searching the course catalog and searching the course schedule.

If you need to drop a course, please email the course information to [email protected].  Provide your university ID number, the semester you are attending the course, and the five-digit CRN of the course that is being dropped.

You cannot contact IT to drop a course.  You must request the drop from the Meritus Scholars staff by sending your request to [email protected].

The program staff will work with the IT department to have you removed from the Canvas course.

Meritus Scholars have access to limited campus services when enrolled in courses.

• MSU Denver Email account
• MSU Denver Identification Card
• Accessibility Services
• MSU Denver Events

Please email [email protected] to confirm if a service you want to receive is part of the Meritus Scholars program.

If you need assistance setting up your MSU Denver account, password reset, trouble accessing Canvas course(s), email issues, or other IT related concerns, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected]. Please do not contact IT directly as they will contact the Meritus Scholars program with your concerns, which will delay your request.

Meritus Scholars participants can receive limited accommodations when attending courses. The Meritus Scholars program is an audit program and therefore no tests or homework are required of the participant. Therefore, accommodations for extended times for taking tests or completing homework assignments are not available. Instructors are not required to grade Meritus Scholars participant’s assignments. However, accommodations for course materials in an accessible format are available to participants.

Participants with mobility issues can use the Accessibility van to travel around campus.

Participants must contact the Access Center at 303-615-0200 to request disability related accommodations.

MSU DENVER EVENTS

The Meritus Scholars Program emails a bi-weekly event announcement featuring a sampling of upcoming university events to participants personal email addresses. 

You can also view the complete event calendar for the university at MSU Denver Events & Calendars, where you can filter by specific categories to find events suited to your interests.

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments, by emailing [email protected], and remember to take your university ID to all events.

If you want to be removed from this mailing, please send a request to [email protected]

You can search for textbooks here: MSU Denver Bookstore

Meritus Scholars participants are permitted to sell back textbooks to the Tivoli Station (formerly the Auraria Campus Bookstore). They buy back books year-round except for the first 2 weeks prior to and after the start of the school year.

Present your university identification card when selling textbooks back to the bookstore.

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact the Meritus Scholars program at [email protected]

Campus parking is managed by the Auraria Campus.  Please visit their website at Parking & Transportation Services for detailed information.

It is important to register your vehicle with them to avoid costlier parking fees during special events at Ball Arena or Mile High Stadium.

The campus is accessible by riding RTD trains and buses.  The Meritus Scholars program does not provide participants with an RTD bus pass. You can access RTD information at Regional Transportation District (RTD)

Interested in supporting MSU Denver students and programs that you care about at MSU Denver? Consider giving a financial gift to the University.