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For older, nontraditional students, time and budget concerns trump worries about fitting in |
| By
Jon Strunk |
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Aug 14, 2006 |
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There is no shortage of information advising high school graduates how to become first-year college students. There are lists upon lists — what to bring with them when they move in; ways to decorate their dorm rooms; how to ensure social acceptance — all designed to help minimize the nerves of new college freshmen.
“While the reasons are not the same, the apprehension and anxiety a lot of our older, nontraditional students feel are just as real,” said Dr. Dennis Lettman, associate dean in The University of Toledo’s University College, one of the primary destinations for nontraditional students starting or resuming a college career.
“They aren’t so much concerned with how they will fit in socially, but with how they will fit college courses into their schedules and into their budgets.”
“I also think some people envision the college registration process as very time intensive, when that’s really not the case,” said Kevin Kucera, UT associate vice president for enrollment services.
“The enrollment process is generally quick and painless,” Kucera said, “and many of the nontraditional students we’re registering every day are transferring credits from a pervious college to UT. If you come in with your transcripts, we can start working with you right away.”
Kucera said UT has scholarship money available for transfer students, and all students are still able to file for federal loans and grants.
Carol Baumgartner, UT director of financial aid, said, “It’s not too late to file a FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid], and that can be filled out online. We have staff members who can help complete the forms or assist in applying for bank loans, as well.”
“An option for students trying to fit education into their already busy lives is online courses,” said Dr. Karen Rhoda, UT director of Distance and eLearning. The largest distance-learning provider among Ohio’s four-year colleges, UT has DL courses that are equivalent to their in-class counterparts, easily transferable, and currently almost two-dozen associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree and certificate programs can be completed online, according to Rhoda.
Lettman said University College advisers are often able to accelerate degree completion by maximizing the use of past college course work and in some cases translate job experiences into course credit through the Credit by Portfolio Program and by helping students create individualized programs based on their needs.
“We try to take the fear out of coming back to college by being very supportive and very accessible,” Lettman said.
Both Lettman and Kucera said the University has expanded hours in the summer to meet the increased flow of students.
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