In Kentucky, over 1.4 million adults entered the workforce without a post-secondary credential. Of these 1.4 million, a whopping 66% do not have a single college credit. Unfortunately, this is only to their detriment. By 2031, over 60% of Kentucky jobs will require postsecondary education and these college graduates will be earning around $40,000 more compared to non-graduates. Despite these benefits, nearly 45% of Kentucky residents are without a degree. So what are some factors that are holding these adult learners back?
Firstly, prior commitments are a major hurdle for priority adult learners. Being an adult means having to pay bills, going to work, and taking care of your family. Not only are childcare centers difficult to find, but when you are able to get one, they can cost upwards of $6,000 annually as of 2023. Similarly, universities and technical colleges require tuition and book expenses, while most adults also have rent, electricity, and water bills as well.
With all these costs, the odds are heavily stacked against adult learners. The government provides financial aid via FAFSA, which can help mitigate some of these costs. Unfortunately, this aid is not nearly enough to make ends meet. On average, public university students have $9,359 in unmet expenses and Kentucky community and technical students have $6,098 in unmet costs. Consequently, when experiencing all these factors, adult learners are 4 times more likely to attain their degree. Fortunately, Kentucky’s Adult Attainment Strategy provides childcare solutions, professional development, and an adult learner community to help nudge learners to overcome obstacles and get their degrees.
Source: Kentucky Student Success Collaborative
By Adam
Adam is an owner at Nanohydr8. He really loves comedy and satire, and the written word in general.
