Nontraditional Students

Nontraditional Student Programs at WVU helps undergraduate students who have been out of high school for more than five years cope with University life. Unlike a student who is just out of high school, you may have family and work responsibilities that must be met at the same time you’re taking classes and studying. At West Virginia University, you are considered a nontraditional student if you are a first-time student over the age of 24, or you are a student who has graduated from high school five or more years ago and are returning to college for your first undergraduate degree.

WVU offers a variety of opportunities for nontraditional students including the flexible, individualized academic Regents Bachelor of Arts program, and a number of unique online courses and degree programs through WVU Online, which places special emphasis on nontraditional and adult learners. Furthermore, we encourage new students to apply for the Osher Scholarship: http://olliatwvu.org/scholarships.

More than 1,700 nontraditional students attend WVU to change career focus, develop additional skills, or simply to satisfy a thirst for learning. Nontraditional students are invited to get involved in traditional student programming and to take part in one of more than 450 WVU student organizations.

Nontraditional students are also invited to use our Downtown and Evansdale commuter lounges. The Downtown Lounge is located in G-11 Elizabeth Moore Hall, and the Evansdale Lounge is located in Mountaineer Station, at the base of the Health Sciences PRT Station. The Downtown Commuter Lounge offers free lockers, WiFi, comfortable chairs, a refrigerator, and a microwave. Should you need a quieter, less social place to study on campus, check out the Betty Boyd Lounge on the main floor of Elizabeth Moore Hall.