Non-First-Time Student Degree Completion

Submitted by Donna Brian on Sat, 03/21/2015 - 11:17
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The following information comes from the Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success at CLASP and contains 2 useful links.  The first is a chart detailing the demographics of non-traditional students, and the second is to the study from which the information comes.  I think the information is useful in thinking about how to plan for and encourage these students.

 

Mixed Enrollment Status: Favorable for Non-First-Time Student Degree Completion

The traditional 18-year-old high school graduate enrolling full time at a university no longer represents the majority of college students. Today’s nontraditional students are entering or returning to postsecondary education older, with families and jobs, and with varying degrees of enrollment intensity.

In 2012, 51 percent of undergraduate students were independent, 40 percent were age 25 or older, 15 percent were single parents, and 37 percent were enrolled part time.

A new national study on the enrollment and persistence of non-first-time students (NFT), conducted by a group of higher education organizations, indicates that when NFT students combine periods of part-time and full-time enrollment, they are less likely to drop out and are more likely to complete an associate’s degree than exclusively part time students.

Comments

Donna,

Thank you for posting the link to this research.  It reflects what I see with many of the students I work with, but I wonder about the story behind statement that "NFT students combin[ing] periods of part-time and full-time enrollment, ... are less likely to drop out and are more likely to complete an associate’s degree than exclusively part time students." 

Alternating enrollments - between FT and PT - is a necessity for many of my students, due to financial constraints.  Either they need to take more time to work, or they can't afford to pay the tuition for FT enrollment every semester.  This is especially true for students who aren't eligible for, or do not apply for, student financial aid. Alternating enrollment status is the only solution for many of these students.  

I wonder how this research may impact the Obama plan for free community college tuition for qualified students.  I'm curious what others in the group see in terms of their student population, and whether students combining FT and PT enrollment are faring better than their peers?

Mike