In the midst of a bad economy and an even worse job market, there’s one trend growing more than ever: the rise of the non-traditional student.

More and more people faced with limited job prospects are taking advantage of educational opportunities they might never have considered during the boom times. But aside from the obvious reasons, what other factors are causing “non-trads” to take the leap and get back on campus?

The Tech Factor

“User-friendly” is a common buzz word associated with technology, and it’s a driving force behind the influx of non-traditional students.

The Sloan Consortium, an organization focused on online education, surveyed over 2,500 colleges and universities and discovered a 17 percent increase in online course enrollment from 2008 to 2009. That figure dwarfed the 12 percent increase from 2007 to 2008.

This affects non-traditional students in particular. Going back to college after a number of years can be intimidating either due to rusty academic skills or dealing with the majority of their peers being much younger.

But with the proliferation of online courses, the barriers drop. There’s greater ease with which non-trads are able to jump back into the fold.

They Want YOU

In recent years, colleges have shown a willingness to not only accept more non-traditional students, but to actively recruit them.

Georgia Perimeter College has mounted an aggressive campaign to attract older non-traditional students. Their Prime Time Movers program offers free tuition to individuals 62 years and older good for a 2-year stint and an associate’s degree.

Colleges are realizing the benefit of a diverse student body and they’re seeking that goal with a vengeance.

Money Matters

Naturally, the search for diversity on college campuses includes the LGBT community. Many foundations and individual donors across the country are funding scholarships for LGBT students.

The Point Foundation is the largest source of gay scholarships. Their entire goal is to mentor and give financial support to LGBT students. They do not exclude scholarship candidates based on age or on the amount of time since last enrolled in school, leaving the doors wide open for gay non-trads.

Warm Climates

When it comes to LGBT individuals seeking to jump back on campus after a prolonged break, gay-friendly campuses are a welcome addition. Georgia’s colleges and universities abound with active LGBT student groups.

Georgia State University’s Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Georgia Tech’s Pride Alliance, Emory University’s Office of LGBT Life and the University of Georgia’s Lambda Alliance are but a few of the organizations providing a safe place for gay students to be themselves.

Non-traditional LGBT students might be surprised at the gay-friendly campus culture upon their return. “For me personally and the majority of our friends, we’re comfortable at UGA,” says junior Joshua Barnett. “My partner and I walk around campus and downtown and don’t really think twice about holding hands.”

Georgia State University student and former President of the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity Elijah Sarkesian echoes Barnett’s sentiments—to a degree.

“Overall, there’s a lot of support for the LGBT community from the administration,” he says. “In terms of the climate among the student body, I’d say it’s widely positive but not completely. There’s going to be elements of homophobia wherever you go.”

One to Grow On

Non-traditional students are a sign of the times. They come from all backgrounds, all ages, all sexual orientations. Their return to college happens for a variety of reasons. Gay non-trads in particular see on-campus benefits in the form of their own personal growth.

Decatur resident Jennifer Karlebach graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2005, went out into the workforce for several years, got laid off and now attends Life University. “I feel more comfortable being gay at Life than I did at Kennesaw State, but I also feel more comfortable in my years and my age and my life,” she says. “I’m gay and I’m proud of it.”