UNC-Charlotte expands financial aid for nontraditional students

Through new funding UNC-Charlotte will now be able to provide financial assistance to nontraditional students — students older than 25 who have not attended college in five years.

The scholarship was funded with $50000 from the Bernard Osher Foundation" which chose UNC-C because of its already existing program serving nontraditional students.

""We looked for schools that have a large constituency of these students"" said Andy Lynch, program manager for the foundation.

Lynch said that there are 6 million undergraduates older than 25 in the U.S. and that they typically have less access to financial aid.

With more challenges and less aid we thought this was a population worth supporting"" Lynch said.

Students who meet the scholarship requirements will be eligible for up to $2,000 per year, Lynch said. For undergraduate residents taking 12 or more hours, UNC-C tuition is $1,258 a semester.

UNC-C was selected because the school already offers academic advising and mentoring for adult students and will now be able to give improved scholarship opportunities as well, said Janet Daniel, director of UNC-C's Office of Adult Students and Evening Services.

We were a basic academic services advising program. To expand"" increasing scholarships and the mentoring program was what had to happen.""

Adult students' needs differ markedly from those of traditional undergraduates" said Jinny Bradley" office manager at the Office of Adult Students and Evening Services.

""Adult students are usually footing their own bill"" Bradley said. They don't have mom and dad paying their tuition.""

Bradley said it was hard enough to go to work and school.

""This is really encouraging and ... takes a little pressure off of them"" she said.

In addition to financial help, adult students are often pressed for time.

I hear from students ... that they will not be able to complete their degrees because they are full-time employers or employees"" said Cricket Bonnetaud, an advisor for the Non-Traditional Student Organization at UNC-C.

They quickly realize it's going to be difficult to complete their degree on nights or weekends alone.""

UNC-C is the second school in the UNC system to receive funds from the Bernard Osher Foundation. UNC-Wilmington also received $50"000 in grant money in March 2007" Lynch said.

Lu Ann Crompton was a single mother of three when she enrolled in UNC-C in 2003.

She received a scholarship for nontraditional students and said getting the money made a huge difference for her and her kids.

""By helping a nontraditional student" you're not just helping a student you're helping a family" Crompton said.

Crompton felt so strongly obligated to create more opportunities for students like her that she started her own scholarship at UNC-C for $1,000 a year.

It's sort of like pay it forward but" it's really not" said Crompton. It's like paying it back.""



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