WHY OLDER ADULTS LEAVE THE UNIVERSITY: A COMPARISON OF CONTINUING AND NONCONTINUING STUDENTS

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Abstract
Studies of older adults enrolled in universities have for the most part described their characteristics, motivation, needs, and interests in education. Although there is a growing realization that education can meet many objectives for the older learner, little is known of why enrolled students decide not to continue. The purpose of this study was to compare continuing and noncontinuing older students enrolled in a university fee‐waived program to determine what characteristics may distinguish the two groups and the reasons why some decide not to continue. Although continuing and noncontinuing students were similar in most characteristics, noncontinuing students were more likely to be employed and to have spent less time at the university. The primary reason for not continuing was having achieved a degree, followed by employment. Few persons stopped because of lack of interest. Most noncontinuing students felt they would return to the university. Continuing students had no plans to stop, even when they reached a specific goal. The findings underscore the fact that the university does meet many needs but both these needs and learning objectives may alter over time.