Adults who return to education programs face unique challenges. These challenges include, but are not limited to:

• Insufficient economic resources due to being unemployed or underemployed
• Negative attitudes in social and peer groups regarding upgrading
• Negative experiences in public school that discourage returning to a more formalized learning environment
• Low self-confidence and self-esteem
• Lack of guidance in both career and personal decision-making
• Learning difficulties and disabilities — diagnosed or suspected
• Existing responsibilities regarding family, work and community
• Institutional barriers

Considering the demands on students’ time in addition to these barriers, why would an individual be interested in returning to school at all?

The Research Problem

Each year approximately one thousand adults over the age of 18 enroll in Holland College Adult Education programs across Prince Edward Island. No student is charged a tuition fee. Depending on the individual, the cost of the program itself is paid for by either the federal or provincial government. However, what other costs do learners experience?

Of course, the commitment required to complete upgrading is more than a financial one. What do the demands of time, travel, schoolwork, etc. extract from the life of an adult learner? Are there costs to family life, personal commitments, even health that are greater than a financial bottom line? Taking into consideration both financial and non-financial aspects of returning to school, what is the true cost of learning for a student enrolled in Adult Education at Holland College?