Adult Learners in Higher Education: A Rural-Urban Analysis of Pennsylvania FAFSA Applicants' Educational, Demographic, and Financial Characteristics

Autor/inn/en	Prins, Esther; Kassab, Cathy; Campbell, Kimeka
Titel	Adult Learners in Higher Education: A Rural-Urban Analysis of Pennsylvania FAFSA Applicants' Educational, Demographic, and Financial Characteristics
Quelle	In: Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 63 (2015) 2, S.71-85 (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0737-7363
DOI	10.1080/07377363.2015.1042999
Schlagwörter	Adult Students; Higher Education; Student Characteristics; Demography; College Preparation; College Students; Student Financial Aid; Paying for College; Rural Urban Differences; Student Financial Aid Officers; Rural Schools; Colleges; Economically Disadvantaged; Parent Background; Educational Attainment; Marital Status; Enrollment Trends; Financial Needs; Statistical Analysis; Measures (Individuals); Interviews; Pennsylvania + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Adult; Adults; Student; Students; Erwachsenenalter; Studentin; Schüler; Schülerin; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Demografie; Collegestudent; Finanzielle Beihilfe; Studienfinanzierung; Studienförderung; Stadt-Land-Beziehung; Rural area; Rural areas; School; Schools; Ländlicher Raum; Schule; Schulen; College; Hochschule; Fachhochschule; Elternhaus; Bildungsabschluss; Bildungsgut; Familienstand; Statistische Analyse; Messdaten; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik
Abstract	This article paints a comprehensive portrait of the demographic, financial, and educational characteristics of Pennsylvania postsecondary students who are adult learners, and identifies rural-urban differences within this group. The study analyzed data from the 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (n = 610,925), supplemented by interviews with two policy experts and six financial aid administrators at rural postsecondary institutions. Adult learners differed from younger students on all measures and experienced more disadvantage. Economic hardship was pronounced: Adult learners' mean annual family income was less than half that of traditional-age students, and 60% lived in poverty or near-poverty. Salient rural-urban differences included institutional type, parental education, marital status, dependent children, and income. Together, quantitative and qualitative data revealed that adult learners have distinct economic situations (employment status, income), family obligations, and enrollment patterns (e.g., part-time study, short-duration degree programs). Thus, they need different forms of support and financial aid. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01