Support resources are extremely important in college. College is one of the most diverse environments someone could find themselves in. You’ll see a mix of race, financial backgrounds, and life experiences.
When people think of college, they often imagine young students in classes on campus, maybe living in dorms. But that’s just part of it. Non-traditional students make up 74% of the college student population in the United States.
“Non-traditional” is broad, encompassing students with professional and familial obligations. Their presence is important in all types of higher education settings. These students contribute invaluable life skills and knowledge to the rest of the community.
Featured Programs
Non-traditional students face a myriad of unique challenges. Many of them are financing their education without support, all while juggling a full-time job. Some also have children and elderly dependents to care for, adding another layer of responsibility to their daily lives.
To succeed, non-traditional students require different support resources from regular college students. As a result, more and more colleges are implementing specialized support resources useful to non-traditional students. These may include career and networking, mental health counseling, and online courses.
This post will explore various student support resources a non-traditional student requires. We will also list ten schools known for offering the best services to help these students balance studies and other obligations.
Who Are Non-Traditional Students?
There’s no single characteristic that defines a non-traditional student. The term is used to define students who do not fit the following descriptions:
- 18 to 24 years old
- Not enrolled immediately after high school
Here are the most common categories of non-traditional students:
- Over 24 years of age
- Attends college part-time
- Delayed starting college
- Has a full-time job
- Financially independent from parents
- Single Parent
- Has dependents
- No high school diploma
Non-traditional students can be one or two of the abovementioned factors, or they might fit several at once.
In short, non-traditional students balance multiple responsibilities alongside their studies. As a result, they often face challenges traditional students can’t relate to.
Why Non-Traditional Students Need Tailored Support
Non-traditional students have limited time and support resources at their disposal. Here are some of the key challenges these students often encounter:
Financial Strain
The financial strain of higher education is a burden shared by all students. However, this strain is particularly acute for non-traditional students, who must balance their studies with other financial commitments. Tuition is only one of the several expenses in college. You’ll also need to allocate a budget for books, transportation, and meals. As someone with other financial obligations, finding enough money to cover all these expenses can be incredibly challenging.
Time Constraints
In addition to financial investment, non-traditional students also find it hard to balance their academics with other obligations. These students, especially those caring for a child or parent, have no fixed personal schedules. They often deal with emergencies, making it difficult to plan and allocate time effectively for studying.
Low Self Esteem
Non-traditional students might feel like they don’t belong or aren’t as good as younger students who just finished high school. This can make them doubt themselves and feel less confident about their academic skills. The worry about failing can be really tough, especially when they have many other things to handle outside of school.
The academic journey of non-traditional students can be more intimidating than their counterparts. However, these challenges can be mitigated with the right college support for non-traditional students.
Essential Support Services for Non-Traditional Students
Career Services for Non-Traditional Students
College and university career services are essential for preparing students for successful careers. They offer a variety of programs and support resources, including:
- career exploration
- resume building
- interview training
- networking opportunities
Using career services makes graduates 40% more likely to find a job. 63% of new graduates who use career services feel more confident about their job search. Students who get help from career services have an average job placement rate of 86% within six months of graduation.
Counseling and Mental Health Support
Another leading cause of high dropout rates is mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Students suffering from mental illnesses are known to perform poorly in school, which can often lead to stunted grades and no social life.
The main goal of counseling for non-traditional students includes:
- Help students manage anxiety and depression
- Set realistic goals that match their aspirations and interests
- Provide strategies for time management
- Offer personalized advice on effective study method
Networking Opportunities
Non-traditional students have busy schedules and struggle to make time for traditional networking events. Instead, they often choose to work extra hours to save money for college.
Colleges and universities that organize networking opportunities for non-traditional students prioritize making things easy and flexible. They know these students struggle to manage their schedules and commit to events that take up much time.
To help these students, colleges plan networking events at different times. They might have evening gatherings, workshops on weekends, or meetings online. This way, non-traditional students can join networking opportunities without feeling stressed about fitting it all in.
Flexible Class Schedules and Online Programs
Another consideration for adult learners is the course load. These students typically need more flexible class schedules to thrive. They need to be in control of their own educational experience, from planning to outcome assessment.
One of the best approaches to flexible scheduling is online courses. Online courses let students learn from anywhere, whenever they have time. This is great for students who are balancing many responsibilities alongside their studies.
Online learning is perfect for students who work full-time to earn a bachelor’s degree. It allows them to study in the evenings without altering their schedule or dealing with commuting to campus.
Some of the colleges known for catering specifically to adult learners include:
- Liberty University
- Western Governors University
- National University
- Ball State University
- Southern New Hampshire University
Support for Military Veterans
Veteran students deal with different challenges, from psychological problems to physical disabilities. Veteran and active-duty students bring valuable skills and perspectives to classrooms. However, they need strong support.
Transitioning from the military to college can feel like entering a completely different world. Military life is highly structured, with most decisions already made for you. In contrast, college offers a lot of freedom, which can be overwhelming for those not used to it.
Without support, this transition can lead to feelings of isolation. Veterans may feel disconnected from the broader college and feel pressure to tough it out alone.
Some of the best support services for military veterans in college include:
- VASH Program
- SSVF program
- GI Bill
- National Veterans Foundation Job Board
- VA Care Providers Program
Here are a few success stories of veterans who had successful transitions.
Javier
After completing my service in Iraq, I felt a deep calling to honor my fallen friend by pursuing our shared dream of becoming a lawyer. Starting from scratch at Park University in 2006, I pushed through initial doubts as an older student. With support from the GI Bill, I tackled my undergraduate degree, striving for top grades to secure a spot at Stetson University College of Law. For anyone leaving the military, my advice is simple: seize your benefits, stay true to your purpose, and never forget those who sacrificed alongside you.
Lauri
Transitioning from military to civilian life and connecting with younger peers was challenging, but my military background taught me responsibility and maturity, which helped me succeed in college. Balancing college, work, and family was tough, but the GI Bill eased financial worries, allowing me to focus on my studies. This support freed me from financial stress, enabling me to concentrate on my education and future career.
Salema
I am deeply committed to serving others, which led me to pursue nursing and join the US Army National Guard in 1990. Despite my military service, I held onto her dream of earning a nursing degree and achieved my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, becoming a certified RN in 2008. Starting my career as a travel nurse, I soon realized nursing wasn’t as idyllic as I initially thought due to issues with leadership and teamwork contributing to burnout among nurses. Determined to make a difference, I pursued my Doctor of Nursing Practice (or DNP) at the University of Massachusetts Global, graduating in 2016. The school’s online program offered the flexibility I needed, and its military-friendly environment was a significant factor in my choice.
Programs for Parents Returning to School
Adult learners with children face a triple burden: they must attend classes, take care of their children, and keep a job. Fortunately, colleges are increasingly implementing college resources for working students and parents returning to school. Some of the best college programs for parents returning to school include:
- Child care grants
- Financial assistance
- Family housing
- Flexible online courses
- Parenting workshops
- Support groups
- Child care services
- Placement Services
- Tutor
- Life mentor
Top 5 Colleges Offering Support Resources for Non-Traditional Students
Liberty University
Liberty University is known for its strong online presence and financial aid for non-traditional students. Liberty University offers 100% online degree programs that combine flexible class schedules with structured support. These programs are designed to accommodate students’ schedules, ensuring they can pursue education without compromising their other responsibilities.
Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and affordable tuition, the lowest in Idaho. The college values community service and actively participates in local nonprofit initiatives. Its wide variety of online degree programs are tailored for non-traditional students.
It also offers special programs and scholarships for adult learners. One notable scholarship is for adults returning to college after at least five years. The college also makes significant efforts to recruit non-traditional students, recognizing and supporting their unique situations.
Southern New Hampshire University
College success for older students is a priority at SNHU. More than half of its student population are non-traditional students, including parents, veterans, and working professionals. SNHU is vastly known for its tutoring and academic advising services.
Western Governors University
WGU is best known for its competency-based approach, which is ideal for busy, working professionals. It allows non-traditional students to turn life experiences into credit hours. This opportunity allows them to earn their degree faster. Other features that make WGU stand out include:
- No rigid deadlines
- Affordable tuition
- 98% employer satisfaction rate
Purdue University
Purdue, with its vast student support services, has established itself as a top-notch school for non-traditional students. It offers a very inclusive college environment that focuses on the unique needs of its diverse learners.
Students receive a one-on-one career coaching session with a field professional. This opportunity allows students to develop personalized strategies to achieve their goals. They can also access Purdue’s career assessment tool, which aims to match students’ interests with a degree program.