The Office of Veteran, Military and Adult Learner Services is here to assist our Military Connected and Adult Learners with the transition to SCSU.  

Many institutions of higher education include an age to aid in the definition of what an adult learner is. 

While this is understandable, age is not the sole factor that should be used to define an adult learner as the lived experiences of some younger students will cause them to develop and mature and develop into adult learners faster than their peers. 

Am I an adult learner?

If any of these factors apply, the answer is yes. 

• You are responsible for your own expenses and no longer rely on a parent, guardian, or another family member to provide money for you or cover your bills. You are paying your daily expenses and planning for the future. 
• You are a parent, guardian, or caretaker responsible for the care and well-being of another person who cannot care for themselves. 
• Your experiences caused you to live independently of others and you were responsible for your own care, expenses, well-being, and life decisions for a year or longer. 
• If you are 25 years or older. 

Some examples of the above may be members of the armed forces, emancipated minors, individuals in foster care, wards of the state, readmitted students who meet other criteria above, or other lifelong learners.