Leveraging a Lifetime of Knowledge - How Credit for Prior Learning Can Help Older Adults and Veterans

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum

A CAEL report argues that credit for prior learning (CPL) provides a proven, practical pathway for older adults and older veterans to earn postsecondary credit based on learning and experience gained outside the classroom. It explains CPL’s value to learners facing affordability, credential attainment, and labor-market uncertainty, while also describing institutional benefits amid rising costs, intensifying competition, declining enrollment, and questioned education value. The brief outlines why CPL matters, identifies best practices for institutional policy implementation, and points to promising state and federal policy solutions to expand CPL.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Why older adults?

Why veterans?

Why CPL?

JANUARY 2025 Leveraging a Lifetime of Knowledge: How Credit for Prior Learning Can Help Older Adults and Veterans [cael.org](cael.org) SCAN FOR QUICKER ACCESS This report was made possible with support from AARP. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent official AARP policy. Recognizing that adult learners are the backbone of the U.S. economy, CAEL helps forge a clear, viable connection between education and career success, providing solutions that promote sustainable and equitable economic growth. CAEL opens doors to opportunity in collaboration with workforce and economic developers; postsecondary educators; employers and industry groups; and foundations and other mission-aligned organizations. By engaging with these stakeholders, CAEL fosters a culture of innovative, lifelong learning that helps individuals and their communities thrive. A national membership organization established in 1974, CAEL is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Workplace™ certified and is a part of Strada Collaborative, a mission-driven nonprofit. Learn more at [cael.org](cael.org) and [stradacollaborative.org](stradacollaborative.org). © 2025 CAEL. All rights reserved. (027-24_01/25) LEVERAGING A LIFETIME OF KNOWLEDGE: HOW CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING CAN HELP OLDER ADULTS AND VETERANS INTRODUCTION Credit for prior learning (CPL) is a proven method for assessing learning and experience gained outside of the classroom for the awarding of postsecondary credit. Supporting the expansion and usage of CPL can help people more quickly and affordably gain a credential or degree that assists them in the labor market. While CAEL has championed CPL for decades for adults of all ages, it is important to acknowledge the specific value it has for older adults, including our older veterans. CPL also provides a benefit for postsecondary institutions. Postsecondary institutions today face a variety of challenges. Costs and competition are up. Enrollment and funding are down. The value of a college education is also in question. As institutions navigate through these and other challenges, many are realizing the important role that adult learners, including veterans, have in their strategic efforts moving forward. In this brief, we make the case for why CPL matters for older adults and veterans, highlight best practices in implementing institutional CPL policy, and share promising state and federal policy solutions that can help expand CPL. Why older adults? Why veterans? If adults are an oft-overlooked and under-engaged population in terms of postsecondary education, then older adults are even more so. Despite the lack of attention, they are a key population to engage in postsecondary education for several reasons. First, they may require upskilling or reskilling to stay current and competitive with their skills, including in digital literacy. According to a recent AARP survey, one in five Americans ages 50+ have no retirement savings, andover half worry they will not have enough to last in retirement (Brown, 2024) . Given this lack of retirement savings, many older adults will have to remain in the workforce longer than they may have expected to, and additional postsecondary education may assist with their career journeys. The same can be said for older veterans. With the average benefit forecast of U.S. military retirees at $2,570/month ($30,840 annually), many will likely find themselves in need of additional income and may pursue additional education or training to land good jobs (Congressional Budget Office, 2023) . 2 LEVERAGING A LIFETIME OF KNOWLEDGE: HOW CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING CAN HELP OLDER ADULTS AND VETERANS Why CPL? Each year, the number of adult learners with some college but no credential increases. In 2022, an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center indicated that the number of adults under the age of 65 with some college b

FAQs

What is credit for prior learning (CPL)?

CPL is a method for assessing learning and experience gained outside the classroom to award postsecondary credit.

Why does the report focus on older adults?

Older adults may need upskilling or reskilling to remain competitive, and many face financial pressures that make additional education and training more necessary.

Why is CPL considered important for institutions and veterans?

The report links CPL to helping adult learners re-enroll and complete, while supporting institutions in improving outcomes such as enrollment, persistence, completion, value, and satisfaction—especially for older veterans.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Callum