| The traditional image of college students has changed | | | | to serving nontraditional and transfer students, The |
| over the past few years. Although many individuals | | | | Madisonville News-Messenger reports. The staff will |
| are still flocking to a new campus after they graduate | | | | provide one-on-one counseling concerning the |
| from high school, many nontraditional students are | | | | admissions process, registration and academic planning. |
| choosing to enroll in online college degree programs in | | | | In addition, these school employees will give students |
| an effort to improve their job prospects or launch a | | | | advice as to how they can balance a college degree |
| new career. Many of these new students also are | | | | program with other responsibilities, such as their |
| full-fledged adults. | | | | careers or caring for their families. As a result, these |
| However, many individuals who have not participated | | | | students may be able to gauge how much planning |
| in the college application process in a long time - or | | | | they will need to do before they embark on a specific |
| ever - may be intimidated by the prospect of online | | | | course of study. They can also get advice about |
| forms, financial aid packages and essay-writing. It could | | | | potential financial assistance through grants, |
| be they had to go through remedial school before they | | | | scholarships and other services. |
| were academically proficient for vocational or any | | | | These services could prove especially beneficial to |
| other form of higher education. They could be new | | | | parents who are considering whether or not they will |
| naturalized citizens where the privilege of a higher | | | | be able to return to school. Stay-at-home mothers and |
| education was not at all possible. It could simply have | | | | fathers may wish to work on their own career |
| been their financial prospects that held them back. | | | | development once their children begin attending school. |
| There are a lot of reasons, but they now are out to | | | | While they may have more free time during the day to |
| truly better themselves. | | | | take campus-based or online courses, the decision to |
| And who are we to try to hold them back? This is | | | | pursue a college degree may require some |
| supposed to be the land of opportunity after all is said | | | | adjustments on the part of all family members. |
| and done. Fortunately, many campus-based and online | | | | Academic counselors could help these individuals |
| colleges are creating new service departments to | | | | decide how many courses per semester they can |
| answer the demands of nontraditional students, such | | | | handle. In addition, these professionals may be able to |
| as working adults or individuals who are currently | | | | help degree seekers with children work with their |
| raising a family. | | | | families to gain everyone's support and help as they |
| For instance, a Kentucky-based school recently | | | | work to enhance their educational qualifications. |
| announced the launch of a new department devoted | | | | |