Helping Moms Go To School

Junior colleges frequently get a bad rap

Junior colleges frequently get a bad rap. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. Two-year colleges present many interesting possibilities for gaining an education. Chances for financial assistance increase the potential for community colleges to attract quality students.

In the past the dominating perception has been that community colleges are for slackers or students who cant get admitted to real colleges. The truth is that junior colleges are a welcoming environment that is usually close to home, relatively inexpensive and full of challenging course offerings. The community college system is ideal for moms who don't have a lot of time or extra money on their hands. Championed by President Obama in 2009, the Grants for Moms incentive is an effort to help more moms enroll in junior colleges and other schools of their choice. The $5,000 grant is a huge bonus for going to college.

School costs like tuition can be extremely high, but one of the the best things about 2-year colleges is the relatively low cost of attendance. Even having a $5,000 award doesn't take away from the wisdom of trying to save money. The cost of attendance at junior colleges is often half that of 4-year schools. There is much competition at liberal arts colleges for scholarships, but at many junior colleges high SAT scores and GPA almost guarantee a significant scholarship. This is good news for a teen mother who wouldnt find it feasible to attend a university even if she has the high test scores to allow it. A mother can take care of a number of necessary expenses using the $5,000 Pell Grant.

The course offerings at many community colleges now more closely resemble those at traditional 4-year institutions. In 2002, the New York Times reported that more than 150 junior colleges have an honors section. One particular school in Arizona even had various overseas study opportunities. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. These quality academic opportunities can help students as they work toward further degrees and as they develop their careers.

The federal grant money for mothers will give an important boost to the women who want to go to school. Even as they benefit from a $5,000 grant, mothers can reap the financial savings benefits of going to a small local college. Community colleges can be great training grounds for attendance at 4-year colleges as well as for entering the work force. Two years of study and training at a community college has many career benefits.

by: Marlon Jackson

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