College is the best time of a person's life. This may be true for some, but for adult students, it's usually anything but the best time of their lives. Mature students, often called nontraditional students, are entering college in record numbers. The influx of nontraditional students can be attributed to several reasons. Many adults have found themselves unemployed since the start of the recession in the United States and have been unable to find suitable employment. The ever-shrinking job pool consists primarily of positions that require a college degree. Other adults are simply looking to further their education or advance in their current career field; while other adults are looking to change career fields entirely. Most nontraditional students not only manage their class schedule and homework load, but they also often manage a household and a full- or part-time job. Succeeding in college is already a challenge for traditional-age students; add the added responsibilities, not to mention the expenses that many nontraditional students face, and the feat seems nearly impossible. For many adults, college expenses are simply unaffordable. Adults embarking on 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 costs, meet their specific needs and offer more courses online. The rising cost of tuition prevents many adults from continuing their education. Most adults must budget their monthly income, and for many families, there is little or no surplus. Adults planning to go to college need to find a way to cover the cost of paper......points in context. Internet. June 20, 2011. “JSU Tuition Climbs 12.8% This Fall.” » Anniston Star [Anniston, AL] April 18, 2011. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Internet. June 21, 2011. Maehl, William H. “Nontraditional Students in Higher Education.” Encyclopedia of Education. Ed. James W. Guthrie. 2nd ed. Flight. 5. New York: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. 1814-1816. Gale Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. June 20, 2011. “No more online courses. » Daily News [Bowling Green, KY] September 26, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Internet. June 24, 2011. “Online courses can increase learning. » Has technology improved learning? Ed. Romain Espejo. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2009. At issue. Gale Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. June 20, 2011. “Updated: University Tuition.” » Problems and controversies. Facts On File News Services, February 22, 2010. Web. June 22 2011.