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Part-Time Students

Balancing Life & Academics
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The Part-Time Student Experience

Maintaining Momentum from Enrollment to Graduation

A part-time student is a student who enrolls in fewer than twelve credit hours in a single academic term. Many of these students will only enroll in one or two courses each semester.1 As a result, it will take a part-time student significantly more time than a full-time student to earn enough credits to graduate with a degree or credential. Along the way, many part-time students will lose momentum and stop out or drop out before achieving their academic goals.

However, taking a smaller credit load is a necessity for many students. The average part-time student is attempting to balance academic pursuits with many other personal and professional responsibilities, such as full-time employment or caring for dependents. Moreover, many of these students are financially independent and grapple with how to finance their education and maintain eligibility for financial aid.1 Since part-time students make up a majority of NOVA’s student population, supporting students through these challenges will be critical to NOVA’s efforts to help every student succeed.

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Nationwide NUMBERS

6.4 million

college students nationwide are enrolled part-time.2

59%

of part-time students are enrolled at a community college.3

80%

of community college students attend part-time for at least one semester.4

14%

of part-time students aged 24 and younger graduated within six years.5

4 in 10

of first generation students who left college without a degree cited financial constraints as the reason1

27%

of part-time students aged 25 and older graduated within six years.5

Nationwide NUMBERS

6.4 million

college students nationwide are enrolled part-time.2

59%

of part-time students are enrolled at a community college.3

80%

of community college students attend part-time for at least one semester.4

14%

of part-time students aged 24 and younger graduated within six years.5

27%

of part-time students aged 25 and older graduated within six years.5

4 in 10

of first generation students who left college without a degree cited financial constraints as the reason1

4 in 10

of first generation students who left college without a degree cited financial constraints as the reason1

Profile of a Part-Time Student

Part-time students are a diverse group of individuals, yet there are many common threads between them. Exclusively part-time students at public community colleges tend to be older and financially independent, and many are pursuing a degree while working full-time and/or raising a family.6

Profile of a Part-Time Student

Part-time students are a diverse group of individuals, yet there are many common threads between them. Exclusively part-time students at public community colleges tend to be older and financially independent, and many are pursuing a degree while working full-time and/or raising a family.6

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Part-Time Students at NOVA

A majority of NOVA students enroll part-time at least once while pursuing a degree or credential. Understanding the characteristics of this large population of students will be critical to NOVA’s efforts to help every student succeed.7

Always Full-Time: Enrolled full-time every semester over a four-year period

Always Part-Time: Enrolled part-time every semester over a four-year period

Fluid Enrollment: Alternated between full- and part-time enrollment over a four-year period

Enrollment

Many students will enroll full-time during their first semester at NOVA. However, over a four-year period, over two-thirds of these students will take a part-time credit load for at least one semester.

First Semester Enrollment

Enrollment Over Four Years

Average Credits
Attempted and Earned

Four-Year Graduation
and Transfer Rate

Not only do part-time students enroll in fewer courses each semester, but a larger proportion of their credit attempts are unproductive.

Average Credits Earned

Unprodcutive Credits

Total Credits Attempted

Relative to full-time students, only a small percentage of part-time students will graduate and/or transfer within four years of initial enrollment.

Part-Time Students at NOVA

A majority of NOVA students enroll part-time at least once while pursuing a degree or credential. Understanding the characteristics of this large population of students will be critical to NOVA’s efforts to help every student succeed.7

Always Full-Time: Enrolled full-time every semester over a four-year period

Always Part-Time: Enrolled part-time every semester over a four-year period

Fluid Enrollment: Alternated between full- and part-time enrollment over a four-year period

Enrollment

Many students will enroll full-time during their first semester at NOVA. However, over a four-year period, over two-thirds of these students will take a part-time credit load for at least one semester.

First Semester Enrollment

Enrollment Over Four Years

Average Credits
Attempted and Earned

Not only do part-time students enroll in fewer courses each semester, but a larger proportion of their credit attempts are unproductive.

Average Credits Earned

Unprodcutive Credits

Total Credits Attempted

Four-Year Graduation
and Transfer Rate

Relative to full-time students, only a small percentage of part-time students will graduate and/or transfer within four years of initial enrollment.

Gaining Momentum

Since part-time students take fewer credits each semester, it can be difficult to maintain momentum and achieve academic goals. However, there are many ways in which a part-time student can stay on track and even accelerate their progress toward completion.

Evening Classes

NOVA offers evening classes to accommodate students who cannot attend college during traditional hours. NOVA also offers some classes on the weekends.

Online Courses

NOVA Online offers convenient four- to sixteen-week course lengths, allowing students to fit the courses they need into their busy schedules without having to commute to campus.

Summer Semester

Enrolling in the summer term, in addition to the fall and spring terms, can help students to accumulate more credits each academic year and accelerate time to completion.

Shorter Sessions

Each semester, NOVA offers a variety of courses across various session lengths. Students can select a session length that suits the pace at which they learn best.

The NOVA Part-Time Student Perspective

Part-time students at NOVA describe a variety of successes and challenges they have encountered while pursuing an academic degree or credential.8

“Sometimes it can be difficult juggling work and being a college student in such a competitive program.”

“My experience as a part-time student at NOVA has been wonderful. I love the flexible schedules, and I have taken morning, evening, and ELI courses.”

“My experience as a part-time student has been very gratifying. As a full-time professional with a family, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to add one more thing to my list of duties.”

“Being a parent to a four-year-old, while going back to school and working, is very challenging.”

The NOVA Part-Time Student Perspective

Part-time students at NOVA describe a variety of successes and challenges they have encountered while pursuing an academic degree or credential.8

“Sometimes it can be difficult juggling work and being a college student in such a competitive program.”

“My experience as a part-time student at NOVA has been wonderful. I love the flexible schedules, and I have taken morning, evening, and ELI courses.”

“My experience as a part-time student has been very gratifying. As a full-time professional with a family, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to add one more thing to my list of duties.”

“Being a parent to a four-year-old, while going back to school and working, is very challenging.”

The NOVA Part-Time Student Perspective

Part-time students at NOVA describe a variety of successes and challenges they have encountered while pursuing an academic degree or credential.8

“Sometimes it can be difficult juggling work and being a college student in such a competitive program.”

“My experience as a part-time student at NOVA has been wonderful. I love the flexible schedules, and I have taken morning, evening, and ELI courses.”

“My experience as a part-time student has been very gratifying. As a full-time professional with a family, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to add one more thing to my list of duties.”

“Being a parent to a four-year-old, while going back to school and working, is very challenging.”

Learn More

Resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Part-time students are faced with the challenge of balancing academic pursuits with other demands on their time, such as employment or raising a family. Many of these students are older, financially independent, and returning to college from the workforce. As a result, part-time students often face unique obstacles that can delay progress toward achieving their academic goals, such as graduation and/or transfer to a four-year institution.

NOVA offers a variety of support services and programs to help students maintain momentum and reach graduation, many of which can be particularly beneficial for part-time students.

Choosing a Program of Study

Counselors and advisors are available on all campuses to assist students with course selection and career advice. By exploring academic programs, choosing a major early, and meeting regularly with an advisor, students can stay on track toward graduation and/or transfer.

Learn more or speak with a virtual counselor at: http://www.nvcc.edu/advising/index.html

Paying for College

The Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance and advising to help students understand how they can cover the cost of college. Students are encouraged to apply for federal, state, and NOVA-specific scholarships, grants, and loans, including need-based financial aid.

Learn more about financial aid and how to apply at: http://www.nvcc.edu/financialaid/index.html

Financial Support

The Financial Stability Program (FSP) provides personalized wrap-around services to help students build strong financial foundations that can lead to familysustaining careers. FSP helps students find income and work support when life gets complicated and connects them to financial services to prepare for the future.

Learn more about FSP at: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/wssn

Structured Support

The Adult Career Pathways (ACP) program offers adult students a structured support system that is specifically designed to assist with navigating the unique challenges that adults face while attending college. ACP creates a pathway for adult learners to earn a degree or credential that will lead to a better job and economic security.

Learn more about ACP at: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/acp

Citations

  1. Bombardieri, Marcella. (2017). Hidden in Plain Sight: Understanding Part-Time College Students in America. Center for American Progress.
  2. Hussar, W.J. and Bailey, T.M. (2018). Projections of Education Statistics to 2026. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. Ginder, S.A., Kelly-Reid, J.E., & Mann, F.B. (2017). Enrollment and Employees in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2016; and Financial Statistics and Academic Libraries, Fiscal Year 2016. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  4. (2017). Even One Semester: Full-Time Enrollment and Student Success. Center for Community College Student Engagement.
  1. Shapiro, D., Dundar, A., Huie, F., Wakhungu, P.K., Yuan, X., Nathan, A., & Bhimdiwali, A. (2017). Completing College: A National View of Student Completion Rates—Fall 2011 Cohort (Signature Report No. 14). National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
  2. (2018). 2015–16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. NOVA Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success.
  4. (NOVA Interviews with Part-Time Students.
  1. Bombardieri, Marcella. (2017). Hidden in Plain Sight: Understanding Part-Time College Students in America. Center for American Progress.
  2. Hussar, W.J. and Bailey, T.M. (2018). Projections of Education Statistics to 2026. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. Ginder, S.A., Kelly-Reid, J.E., & Mann, F.B. (2017). Enrollment and Employees in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2016; and Financial Statistics and Academic Libraries, Fiscal Year 2016. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  4. (2017). Even One Semester: Full-Time Enrollment and Student Success. Center for Community College Student Engagement.
  5. Shapiro, D., Dundar, A., Huie, F., Wakhungu, P.K., Yuan, X., Nathan, A., & Bhimdiwali, A. (2017). Completing College: A National View of Student Completion Rates—Fall 2011 Cohort (Signature Report No. 14). National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
  6. (2018). 2015–16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  7. NOVA Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success.
  8. (NOVA Interviews with Part-Time Students.

Learn More

Resources for Students, Faculty, and Staff

First generation students face many unique challenges as the first in their families to navigate the college experience. They are often more unfamiliar with admissions processes, financial aid applications, and enrollment procedures. These students may find it difficult to navigate program and course offerings, and may need additional support understanding the types of jobs available to them upon earning a credential. Each of these challenges can result in delays in graduation and/or transfer to a four-year institution.

NOVA offers a variety of support services and programs to help all students to succeed, many of which can be particularly beneficial for first generation students.

Choosing a Program of Study

Counselors and advisors are available on all campuses to assist students with course selection and career advice. By exploring academic programs, choosing a major early, and meeting regularly with an advisor, students can stay on track toward graduation and/or transfer.

Learn more or speak with a virtual counselor at: http://www.nvcc.edu/advising/index.html

Paying for College

The Financial Aid Office provides financial assistance and advising to help students understand how they can cover the cost of college. Students are encouraged to apply for federal, state, and NOVA-specific scholarships, grants, and loans, including need-based financial aid.

Learn more about financial aid and how to apply at: http://www.nvcc.edu/financialaid/index.html

Financial Support

The Financial Stability Program (FSP) provides personalized wrap-around services to help students build strong financial foundations that can lead to familysustaining careers. FSP helps students find income and work support when life gets complicated and connects them to financial services to prepare for the future.

Learn more about FSP at: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/wssn

Structured Support

The Adult Career Pathways (ACP) program offers adult students a structured support system that is specifically designed to assist with navigating the unique challenges that adults face while attending college. ACP creates a pathway for adult learners to earn a degree or credential that will lead to a better job and economic security.

Learn more about ACP at: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/acp

Citations

  1. Bombardieri, Marcella. (2017). Hidden in Plain Sight: Understanding Part-Time College Students in America. Center for American Progress.
  2. Hussar, W.J. and Bailey, T.M. (2018). Projections of Education Statistics to 2026. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  3. Ginder, S.A., Kelly-Reid, J.E., & Mann, F.B. (2017). Enrollment and Employees in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2016; and Financial Statistics and Academic Libraries, Fiscal Year 2016. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  4. (2017). Even One Semester: Full-Time Enrollment and Student Success. Center for Community College Student Engagement.
  5. Shapiro, D., Dundar, A., Huie, F., Wakhungu, P.K., Yuan, X., Nathan, A., & Bhimdiwali, A. (2017). Completing College: A National View of Student Completion Rates—Fall 2011 Cohort (Signature Report No. 14). National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
  6. (2018). 2015–16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
  7. NOVA Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success.
  8. (NOVA Interviews with Part-Time Students.
OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS & STUDENT SUCCESS

George E. Gabriel, Ph.D., VP of Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success

Elizabeth (Lisa) Hill, Assistant Dean Graphic Design, Alexandria

Designers: Jennifer Knotts | John Shea