Modernizing Postsecondary Policy to Better Support Adult Learners

For decades, the U.S. has witnessed a steady, pronounced shift in the profile of the typical college student. The typical student today is much more likely to have a job, support dependents of their own, be over the age of 25 and opt not to live in on-campus residences.

Because these students’ lives are likely more complex than the 18-to-22-year-old set, their academic paths are often marked by starts, stops, transfers and varied institutions. As often occurs, policy developments have lagged behind demographic and societal changes, and discrepancies abound. The Higher Education Act, the primary federal law governing financial aid and other college programs, hasn’t been renewed in 15 years. Its focus on residential, dependent students essentially overlooks the needs of adult learners.

Join Inside Higher Ed Co-founder and Editor Doug Lederman as he shares perspectives on how policy makers could create more accessible, affordable and successful paths into and through postsecondary education for these learners. The webcast will expand upon the following:

• Policy shifts that would better support successful credit transfer pathways
• New approaches to Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) to attract and retain more adult college students
• Strategies to broaden financial assistance for non-traditional students
• Federal or state policy initiatives that cover household challenges that prevent would-be learners from persisting

Gain insights to further enable robust internal dialogue toward more responsive programs and supports for adult learners.

To get the most out of the webcast, download the special report.