National Nontraditional Student Week
National Nontraditional Student Week is an annual celebration recognizing the achievements, resilience, and contributions of students who pursue higher education outside the typical path taken by undergraduate students. Observed each November, the week highlights learners who may be older than typical college‑aged students, balancing work or family responsibilities, returning to school after time away, serving in the military, first-generation students forging new educational paths, or navigating higher education as caregivers.
Nontraditional students represent a significant portion of today’s college student population. In 2024, the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS), conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, reported that 38% of undergraduates were over age 25, 78% of whom were also working while enrolled. These students enrich campuses with lived experience, perspective, and determination, and National Nontraditional Student Week offers institutions an opportunity to acknowledge the vital role they play in academic communities.
National Nontraditional Student Week serves as a reminder of the structural barriers nontraditional students frequently encounter. Traditional academic calendars, daytime course schedules, limited childcare options, and financial aid systems designed around full-time enrollment can create obstacles for students whose lives do not fit conventional schedules. Many nontraditional learners rely on evening classes, online coursework, flexible advising, and supportive campus resources to succeed. By spotlighting these needs, National Nontraditional Student Week encourages institutions to evaluate how their policies and practices can better support students whose educational paths differ from the norm. It is a call to expand access, strengthen support systems, and ensure that higher education remains attainable for learners at every stage of life.
Nontraditional students often navigate complex schedules, financial pressures, and competing responsibilities, yet they consistently demonstrate persistence and adaptability. National Nontraditional Student Week encourages campuses to recognize these realities and to celebrate the strength it takes to pursue education under such circumstances.
Events and activities to honor nontraditional students may include recognition ceremonies, resource fairs, networking events, and storytelling opportunities where nontraditional students share their experiences. Some institutions host workshops on financial aid, career development, or time management tailored specifically to learners outside of the typical age range of college students. Others highlight campus organizations dedicated to supporting nontraditional students, including student parent groups, veteran centers, and adult learner programs. These events foster community, reduce isolation, and affirm that nontraditional students fully belong in the academic environment. They also help other students and faculty better understand the different realities nontraditional students face.
At the University of Kansas, the Student Engagement Center has many different resources that may be helpful to nontraditional students. Their services include the Campus Cupboard, Pregnant and Parenting Resource Pantry, Community Clothing Closet, and Emergency Aid Network, which supports individuals through financial crisis. At the University of Kansas Medical Center, students can access a variety of resources and support services, including academic, wellness, financial, and accessibility resources.
At the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (OCRTIX), we believe that when people feel a true sense of belonging, they are better able to reach their full potential and succeed. We are committed to uplifting each Jayhawk by fostering a culture where each person is seen, heard, and valued. Honoring a variety of identities, cultures, and observances allows us to make the University of Kansas a safer and more welcoming space for everyone.