Sources of Financial Support and Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Educational Activities

Adults were asked a series of questions for each educational activity in which they participated in the 12 months prior to the interview about four alternative types of support from employers and other organizations. Adults also were asked about any outlays that they had to make out-of-pocket for tuition and fees and/or books and materials to attend these courses, classes, or training.

• Among adults who were employed and who were enrolled part-time in college or university degree or certificate programs within the previous 12 months, more adults reported receipt of financial support (32 percent) than reported a program offered at the workplace (12 percent), participation during regular work hours (21 percent), or being paid during the times that they were attending (11 percent) (table 5).
• Higher proportions of full-time employed adults (93, 86, 80, and 81 percents) reported receipt of employer support for formal work-related courses or training than part-time employed adults (83, 74, 51, and 57 percents) for each type of support with the exception of workplace program offerings. There was no difference detected between full-time employed adults (57 percent) and part-time employed adults (49 percent) with respect to workplace program offerings (table 6).
• The median out-of-pocket tuition and fees for adults enrolled part-time in college or university degree or certificate programs was $1,144, while the median out-of-pocket tuition and fees for adults enrolled in basic skills/GED preparation classes, apprenticeship programs, or work-related courses or training was $0 (table 7).

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