The NTSA website is an ongoing project. The goal is for the website to become a comprehensive resource for student affairs professionals, faculty, staff, and others who are interested in nontraditional students.

The NCES defines a nontraditional student as having any of the following characteristics: has delayed enrollment beyond the first year after high school

• attends part-time
• works full-time while enrolled
• is considered independent for financial aid purposes
• has dependents other than a spouse
• is a single parent
• does not have a high school diploma

Nontraditional students fall on a continuum ranging from marginally nontraditional, meeting just one criteria, to extremely nontraditional, meeting three or more criteria. As a student population they are very diverse in age, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and most importantly in the experiences they bring with them to the higher education setting. They are also a rapidly growing population on our campuses. Between 1990 and 2006 the student populuation over the age of 25 increased by 20% (NCES, 2009).

It is our intention to cover topics from andragogy to developmental education and student affairs functional areas. We encourage submissions from community members!Nontraditional students who find their way to this site are welcome to contact us with questions or concerns and we will do our best to assist you.