What is a Non Traditional Student?

A non traditional student is typically defined as a student who did not enter college or any sort of post secondary education immediately after finishing high school, typically within the same year or the following one or two years. This means that the classification of a non traditional student is usually entirely based on age, though some might also classify these students based on their previous level of education, as well as their current methods of attending school, such as taking classes part time in the evenings and working full time. Whether or not one is a traditional student typically has little bearing on acceptance to the educational institution or financial aid received, though sometimes there is designated aid available for non traditional students.

The most common definition of a non traditional student refers to a student who is returning to his or her education in adulthood, generally after delaying any type of collegiate education. He or she may have needed to work full-time or raise a child, for example, in lieu of going directly to college after high school. Non traditional students can be any age; there are many people who choose to return to school and pursue a degree later in life to find additional opportunities or make a career change.

A non traditional student may also be someone who attends school in a different manner than most other students. He or she might work full time during the day and only take night classes part time to complete a degree, for example. Some schools also consider students who have dependents, such as a spouse or children, or who are financially independent from their parents, to be a non traditional student. Some colleges design specific programs with non traditional students in mind, such as programs that will allow an entire degree to be completed online, or with night and weekend classes.

In addition, there are scholarships available for students who are returning to school after an absence, as well as federal grants and loans. Scholarships for women returning to school are especially common, often designed to help women going through a life change such as a divorce. Keep in mind that the term non traditional student typically only refers to those pursuing undergraduate education; graduate level and higher degrees are populated by people of all ages, many of whom have been out of school or college for a long time.