"While many in higher ed want to see more adults earning credentials and certifications, hurdles remain for institutions trying to grow their short-term programs for nontraditional students, a new report finds," University Business reports. "Colleges will likely see an influx of older students who’ve lost jobs and want to learn new skills in the wake of COVID’s economic upheaval."

"The Great Recession saw college enrollment grow by 2.5 million students, due in large part to a surge in nontraditional-age students, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

However, financial aid is not as readily available to adults lacking postsecondary attainment.

For example, the new NASFAA report found that institutions struggle to fill short-term programs because prospective students cannot afford the costs. This can make colleges leaders reluctant to build short-term certificate programs."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 10/9/2020