subject: Obama Grants - Initiated To Encourage Moms To Get A Degree [print this page] Notwithstanding the fact that higher education is important, there are often a number of obstacles that can hinder potential students from enrolling in college. For single mothers especially, family obligations and financial concerns are often at the top of this list. In an attempt to alleviate concerns associated with going to college, Obama grants are intended to encourage mothers to return to college to earn a degree.
The purpose of federal grants, in many cases, is to help disadvantaged groups to attend college. An endowment often given to low-income students, is the federal Pell grant. The benefits of Pell grants have been improved in order to be a greater help to potential students, since the Obama administration has stated that it places a high priority on education. A title given to a portion of the standard Pell grant program is the Scholarships for Moms program. Working moms are especially encouraged to apply for this. Equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy, the administration believes, and also be a great benefit to the families of those mothers, as a result of which will be an increase in their earning power in the work force.
$5,000 from a Pell grant may not seem like a lot of money, when you look at the high cost of education these days, but it should help defray the other expenses associated with going to college. A student has to pay for housing and travel expenses, as well books and supplies. For a single mom, these miscellaneous expenses may also include childcare. Another great characteristic of the Pell grant award is that the money awarded does not necessarily have to be applied to college tuition. On condition that any expense that can be seen to be necessary to obtaining an education, can be covered by the grant money.
It must be remembered that this program is not specifically catering to traditional students; it provides opportunity for traditional and non-traditional students alike. Just as welcome as a student who is fresh out of high school, are mothers who want to return to college to earn a degree. Equal consideration is given to potential students who would prefer to go to a small community college as well as mothers who would like to stay home and take care of their children while taking online courses. The most significant factor is that all willing students are able to earn a degree that will provide them with significant opportunity in the job market.
Obama grants are purely an effort by the current administration to show that education truly is the key to a bright future. Everyone from young adults to working mothers has a chance to go to college, with the allocation of a significant amount of money to pay for education.
