subject: Obama Grants: Set Up To Encourage Moms To Earn A Degree [print this page] Although higher education is important, often a number of obstacles can hinder potential students from enrolling in college. Family obligations and financial concerns are often at the top of this list, especially when it relates to single mothers. Obama grants are intended to encourage mothers to return to college to earn a degree, in an attempt to ease some of the concerns associated with going to college.
In many cases, the purpose of federal grants is to help disadvantaged groups to attend college. The federal Pell grant is an endowment commonly given to low-income students. As the Obama administration has stated that it places a high priority on education, the benefits of Pell grants have been augmented in order to be a greater help to potential students. 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. By equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree, the administration believes that this will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy, and be a great benefit to the families of those mothers, by increasing 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 could help defray the other expenses associated with going to college. A student has to pay for books and supplies, housing and travel expenses as well. Childcare costs for a single mom, may also be included in these miscellaneous expenses. One great advantage of the Pell grant award is that the money awarded does not necessarily have to be applied to college tuition. As long as the expense is vital to obtaining an education, it can be covered by the grant money.
In conclusion, this program doesnt cater specifically to traditional students. It provides opportunity for traditional and non-traditional students alike. Mothers who want to return to college to earn a degree are just as welcome as a student who is fresh out of high school. 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. All willing students are able to earn a degree that will provide them with significant opportunity in the job market, and this is the most important factor.
An effort by the current administration to show that education truly is the key to a bright future are by offering Obama grants. 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.
