St. Thomas University Global Launches $0 May Term to Attract Nontraditional Students

Event summary

  • St. Thomas University Global introduces a $0 May Term starting May 2, 2026, covering tuition, fees, books, and materials for one course.
  • The term is open to new, returning, and re-engaged students meeting standard undergraduate admission requirements.
  • Programs include Business Management, Finance, Marketing Management, Sports Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Catholic Education.
  • The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers for working-age adults with some college credit but no degree.

The big picture

St. Thomas University Global's $0 May Term aligns with broader industry trends of making higher education more accessible to working adults. The initiative targets the growing segment of students with some college credit but no degree, addressing financial uncertainty as a primary barrier to re-enrollment. This move could pressure other institutions to innovate on flexible, low-risk entry points for nontraditional students.

What we're watching

Enrollment Growth
Whether the $0 May Term will significantly boost enrollment numbers for nontraditional students.
Program Sustainability
How St. Thomas University Global will sustain the $0 May Term model financially over time.
Competitive Response
The pace at which other online education providers adopt similar low-barrier entry programs.

Related topics

Higher Education