| Adults going back to school may feel uncertainty | | | | opportunities especially with the increase in online |
| about new challenges and requirements in their lives. | | | | colleges and online degrees. Add in the potential for |
| They want to complete unfinished college degrees or | | | | financial aid, scholarships, and grants, especially to |
| to advance in their careers. Others are motivated by | | | | specific groups such as minorities and women, and |
| the need for increased financial worth. Some like the | | | | going back to school does not have to be an unfulfilled |
| challenge of continual learning and intellectual growth to | | | | dream. |
| fulfill personal and work needs. Nontraditional students | | | | Many adults, especially during economic downturns, are |
| are adults returning to an online university for a higher | | | | returning to online universities to complete previous |
| education, do not fit into the young, living on campus, | | | | college degrees or to increase their financial worth. |
| college student. Nontraditional students are adults over | | | | The American Council on Education states that higher |
| the age of 25, and have become the new trend in | | | | education colleges and online universities experience a |
| higher education at online universities. | | | | surge in college admissions during these times. |
| Statistics from the U.S. Education Department's | | | | Employed and unemployed workers return to school |
| National Center for Education state that college | | | | to advance their skills and seek to increase their |
| admissions in colleges and universities are expected to | | | | appeal to their company or potential employers. The |
| climb from 18.2 million in 2007 to 20.6 million in 2018. The | | | | increase of online colleges and online degrees are |
| most significant growth will be among older students, | | | | making higher education accessible to returning |
| minorities and women. | | | | students especially for those who continue to work |
| Significant changes in an adult's life especially in their | | | | and support their families. |
| career can prompt the need for continuing college | | | | Returning to school gives the adult learner a chance to |
| education. A few reasons could be being passed over | | | | improve their career skills or change career directions. |
| for job promotions because of lack of skills, job | | | | Many returning students do so because of changes in |
| requirements have changed, discontent within their | | | | job structure, being passed over for advancement, job |
| company's hierarchy and the possibility of announced | | | | requirement changes and possible layoffs or mergers |
| layoffs or mergers. | | | | in their company's future. In general, the higher the |
| Personal motivation and self improvement is a high | | | | education a person holds means the higher the salary |
| motivator for adult learners. Learning about new topics, | | | | and better career security. |
| studies or special interest is a reason for going back to | | | | The potential for salary increase varies with the type |
| college. Learning new technological skills not only | | | | of college degree you want depending upon the needs |
| increases their job security but helps them in the home. | | | | of your career field. According to the Bureau of Labor |
| Learning about social trends could improve their | | | | Statistics, workers with advanced degrees earn more |
| involvement in community activism and volunteer work. | | | | than workers with a high school diploma or GED. The |
| The completion of an online degree could revolve | | | | Bureau of Labor employment projections for |
| around their career and simply be a desire to finish | | | | 2008-2018 show that nearly half of all new jobs and |
| what they started. | | | | one-third of total job openings will require a |
| Some adult learners begin a new college degree at | | | | postsecondary college degree or award. Also |
| the retirement stages of their life. Their involvement in | | | | projected is that 14 out of the 30 fastest growing |
| new college studies fulfills a need for community | | | | occupations will require a bachelor's degree or higher. |
| engagement and provides the opportunity to stimulate | | | | College counselors through assessment services can |
| intellectual growth. Others are motivated by a need for | | | | provide valuable guidance when shopping for online |
| change especially with career prospects. Adult | | | | universities and degrees. Be sure to find a personal |
| students may have decided midlife to transition into | | | | counselor who can access multiple college searches |
| new career paths that require additional knowledge | | | | within college programs such as transfer credits, cost |
| and accreditation for them to begin their change. | | | | comparisons, and accreditation. |
| Nontraditional students have numerous college | | | | |