Characteristics of a non-traditional student
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has set the bar for characteristics of a non-traditional student which are:
- Delays enrollment (does not enter postsecondary education in the same calendar year that he or she finished high school)
- Attends part-time for at least part of the academic year.
- Works full-time (35 hours or more per week) while enrolled.
- Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid.
- Has dependents other than a spouse ( usually children, but sometimes others)
- Is a single parent (either not married or married but separated and has dependants) or
- Does not have a high school diploma (completed high school with a GED or other high school completion certificate or did not finish high school).
- Delays enrollment (does not enter postsecondary education in the same calendar year that he or she finished high school)
- Attends part-time for at least part of the academic year.
- Works full-time (35 hours or more per week) while enrolled.
- Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid.
- Has dependents other than a spouse ( usually children, but sometimes others)
- Is a single parent (either not married or married but separated and has dependants) or
- Does not have a high school diploma (completed high school with a GED or other high school completion certificate or did not finish high school).
In 2000 the NCES reported that 73% of undergraduates were in some way non-traditional.
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education's 2013 report stated that 59% of Indiana students attended college part-time.