Participants were asked the question phrased “What supports would help me achieve my educational goals more easily?” and given blank spaces, numbered one, two and three to record their comments.

Almost every completed survey included comments in this section. The responses can be organized into the following categories of support:

• Emotional (more emotional support, spousal support, more rest)
• Financial (bursaries, lower costs, more financial support, government help)
• Academic (less work, more time in class, free tutoring, assessments)
• Program design (on-line/distance courses, more instructor support, take books home, less paperwork)
• Government policy (Social Serviced fund university education, student loan, more help, better EI, benefits, less paperwork)
• other (time off work, course closer, transportation, help with children, more career counseling, accommodations)

Summary

This section of the report reviewed the results of financial costs and supports, social costsand supports, and the effect of costs and supports on learners’ goals as well as the demographic information of the sample group. The most significant concerns voiced by participants in the financial section were regarding transportation, loss of wages, health costs and childcare. The greatest social costs and supports centered around family time, personal time, and emotional health. In this sample population, both the costs associated with returning to school as an adult and the level of financial support they experiencedwere extremely influential on setting their educational and career goals. These issues will be discussed in more detail in the next section.