Financial Support for Non-Traditional Students

While higher education costs are skyrocketing and government support for postsecondary institutions is dwindling, individuals are constantly being reminded of the importance of earning a credential for their viability in the labor market. What this means is that more and more adults are either returning to college or university, or enrolling for the first time, but have very little in the way of financial support available for their learning. This Mini Feature discusses the importance of this funding for adults, explores the avenues that are available for these learners and share some innovative ideas about changes that could reduce costs for non-traditional students.

AUDIO | Determining the Appropriateness of Public Funding for Non-Degree Students

Stephen Rose | Senior Economist, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce

More public funding for non-degree programming is critical, but it is equally important for students to ensure they are finishing their programs and can translate their education into a job.

Searching for Financial Pathways to a Degree

Bill Fay | Head Writer, Debt.org

Financial support is critical to helping adults prioritize earning their degree once they have work and family commitments to balance.

AUDIO | Are Middle-Income Students Falling Through the Cracks?

Sarah Brelvi | Chief Professional Officer, United Way of Northern New Jersey

While financial aid is available to individuals who live below the poverty line, it tends to exclude students in two-income families who are living paycheck to paycheck.

Studying for a First Degree as an Adult in Australia

Jan Thomas | Vice Chancellor and President, University of Southern Queensland

Guaranteed interest-free loans tailored to graduate needs makes higher education financing a little easier for Australian adults.

Is Tuition to Blame for Rising Student Debt in the United States?

Sandy Baum | Research Professor, George Washington University

Adults in the United States have been significantly challenged by the rapid increases in tuition fees, but the value of higher education is still widely accepted.

Lack of Public Support Forces Romanian Students to Look to their Families

Ciprian Fartusnic | Principal Researcher, Institute of Education Sciences

Given the lack of financial and social support available for adult students in Romania, many often rely on their family units to help them toward a degree.

How Do Adults in Finland Pay for Higher Education?

Hanna-Riikka Myllymäki | Head of Business Development, Aalto University

Given the lack of financial and social support available for adult students in Romania, many often rely on their family units to help them toward a degree.

Three Tips for Non-Traditional Students Seeking Financial Assistance

Jayrod Garrett | Student, Weber State University

Non-traditional students should do their research and work with an advisor to ensure they understand the financial assistance options available to them.

Identifying and Overcoming Financial Hurdles

Asta Turner | Student, Pfeiffer University

Adult students with limited access to financial resources may find support in unexpected places, such as in scholarships from private companies.

Exploring Degree Financing for Non-Traditional Students

Tennis Lilly | Master’s Student, Lesley University

Non-traditional students do not have enough access to financing options for their higher education, forcing them to make decisions that may negatively impact their financial well-being.

AUDIO | Finding the Right Degree Pathway

Mark Milliron | Chief Learning Officer, Civitas Learning

Traditional degree programs do not necessarily provide students with a more cohesive learning pathway than a mosaic approach would.

Outcome, Not Process, Matters in the On-Campus vs. Online Education Debate

William Stewart | Assistant Vice President, Excelsior College

The route a student takes to a particular learning outcome is not nearly as important as ensuring the student has completed the necessary learning.

Creative Degree Pathways Save Non-Traditional Students More than Money

Teresa Clark | Director of New Program Research and Design, Lipscomb University

Adult and continuing education units need to exercise creativity in helping non-traditional students receive the most credits for their learning.

Just-In-Time Learning Increases Students’ Earning Potential

Mark Schneider | President, College Measures

Prospective students should have access to data regarding just-in-time learning opportunities so they can make informed choices when enrolling in higher education.

ePortfolios, Prior Learning and Emergent Learning

Don Presant | President, Learning Agents

ePortfolios can provide learners with an opportunity to unite all of their learning into a single package that could create a pathway toward a credential.

How to Make College Affordable

Terry Rawls | Vice President of Education Solutions, UniversityNow

Colleges and universities can introduce a number of measures to reduce costs for their non-traditional students.

AUDIO | Repurposing Workforce Development Funds for Adults

James Jacobs | President, Macomb Community College

Shifting the focus from preparing individuals for any work — which, in many cases, means low-paying jobs — to training them for specific fields can have long-term benefits for both the individual and the economy.

Four Forces Positively Impacting Cost of Higher Education for Adults

Ian Tebbett | President and Chief Executive Officer, ADEC

Higher education institutions can significantly reduce costs for students, both domestically and internationally, by exploring online learning opportunities.

Increasing Affordability by Reducing Divide Between Merit and Need-Based Aid

John McCardell | Vice Chancellor and President, University of the South

Offering significant tuition discounts through scholarships and other loans may not reduce cost to students as much as simply reducing the tuition price itself.