University is the best time of a person's life. This may be true for some, but for adult students it is usually not the best time of their lives. Adult students, often called nontraditional students, are entering college in record numbers. The influx of nontraditional students can be attributed to a variety of reasons. Many adults have found themselves unemployed since the start of the recession in the United States and are unable to find suitable work. The ever-shrinking pool of jobs consists mostly of positions that require a college degree of some kind. Other adults are simply looking to further their education or advance in their current professional field; while other adults are looking to completely change their professional field. Most nontraditional students not only manage their class schedule and homework load, but often also manage a home and a full- or part-time job. Successfully completing college is challenging enough for traditional-age students; add the extra responsibilities, not to mention the expenses that many non-traditional students have, and the feat seems nearly impossible. For many adults, college expenses are something they simply can't afford. Adults who dive into higher education often find that colleges don't offer the support and flexibility they need to succeed. For nontraditional students to succeed, colleges must lower tuition rates, support their specific needs, and offer more online courses. The rising cost of tuition prevents many adults from continuing their education. Most adults have to budget their monthly income, and for many families there is little or no excess. Adults planning to go to college must find a way to cover the cost of t...... middle of paper ......wpoints In Context. Network. June 20, 2011. "JSU Tuition Will Increase 12.8% This Fall." Anniston Star [Anniston, AL] April 18, 2011. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. June 21, 2011. Maehl, William H. “Nontraditional Students in Higher Education.” Encyclopedia of education. Ed. James W. Guthrie. 2nd ed. vol. 5. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 1814-1816. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. 20 June 2011. "Other online lessons". Daily News [Bowling Green, KY] September 26, 2010. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. June 24, 2011. “Online Classes Can Increase Learning.” Has technology increased learning? Ed. Spejo Romano. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. In question. Gale Opposing views in context. Network. June 20, 2011. “Update: College Tuition Costs.” Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, February 22, 2010. Web. June 22 2011.