Shaken By Economic Change, 'Non-Traditional' Students Are Becoming The New Normal - Eric Westervelt, NPR

While colleges and universities have seen enrollment growth follow every recession since 1980, the boost in enrollment following the Great Recession was far greater than previous. And a growing number of those students enrolling are older, working, have a family -– or all three. Nearly half of those enrolled in higher ed today are so-called "non-traditional" students. One quarter of all students are over the age of 30. The increase is driven mostly by tough financial realities and a changing economy. More colleges and universities need to become better equipped to address the needs of older students. And soon. The already large adult student population is projected to grown even larger in coming years. http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/25/495188445/shaken-by-economic-change-non-traditional-students-are-becoming-the-new-normal