Defining a Commuter or Non-traditional Student

Non-traditional Students

An adult or non-traditional student is not necessarily defined by age (usually over 24); they are also students who may have life circumstances different from the typical traditional student. These circumstances include, but are not limited to students who are:

• parents
• married, divorced or once married, now single
• caring for elderly parents
• veterans
• returning to college after a period of time in the work force or working in their home
• entering college for the first time, not right after high school graduation
• full-time, part-time or seasonal employees
• distance learners

What makes adult students unique from other students and similar to each other is the multiple roles they assume in order to attend college.

Commuter Students

• Do you live in a nearby town (Gwinn, Harvey, Ishpeming, Negaunee, Skandia, etc.)?
• Do you live off campus?
• Do you come to campus for classes at least once per week?
• Do you live near campus in an apartment?
• Do you live in a house with your family?
• Do you own your own home?
• Do you ride the bus to get to campus?

If you answered with at least one “yes” to the above questions, you are a commuter student.