Introduction: Who are adult learners?
Going to college directly after graduating from high school allows students to complete a college education prior to committing time and energy to their future life's demands. However, you may choose to take a detour in your life and later become an adult learner for various reasons. You may want to advance your career, increase your earning potential, or simply complete a few years you have left for a degree. In such cases, would your learning experience be different from that of younger college students?
No matter where you are in your life, continued education is a possibility once you make a plan to meet the potential challenges head-on. Managing finances is one of the challenges, and this chapter will explore basic financial literacy for adult learners.
Then, who would be categorized as an adult learner? If you see yourself in one of the following criteria, you will be considered an adult learner.
It is easy to see that adult learners are already fully engaged with life's responsibilities for themselves and/or their family members. Balancing among household, personal, educational and financial responsibilities is rated the number one obstacle for adult learners to overcome.
Penn State University is committed to helping adult learners reach their goals. The University provides valuable resources filled with contacts and information to ease the burden on adult students. Here are some resources for you to check out:
- The Commission for Adult Learners (CAL)
Links to an external site.:
- Helps to break down barriers faced by adult learners
- Encourage adult degree completion and graduation
- Composed of faculty, staff, and students from several university locations dedicated to improving the adult learner experience at Penn State
- Adult Learner Programs and Services
Links to an external site.:
- A dedicated office at Penn State Student Affairs
- Committed to providing comprehensive services for non-traditional undergraduate students
- Office of Veteran Programs
Links to an external site.:
- A dedicated office at Penn State Educational Equity
- Committed to providing services in the areas of outreach, certification, mentorship and general counseling
- Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Links to an external site.:
- A dedicated office at the Penn State Undergraduate Studies
- Committed to helping you find out if PLA is right for you and if you can earn college credits for what you already know
Now that you know the definition of an adult learner, the most common obstacles adult learners may face, and the services for adult learners, think of paying it forward by discussing your own experience with a friend or a family member.
To be a successful adult learner, you should consider the five steps listed below. Let's get started!
Chapter 1. The real cost of education
Chapter 2. Proper use of financial aid funds while working toward completion of degree
Chapter 3. Budgeting for a household and an education
Chapter 4. Credit cards and debt management
Chapter 5. Mortgage, taxes, identity theft, insurance, and retirement planning