subject: Obama Grants: Established To Encourage Moms To Earn A Degree [print this page] Although 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 ease some of the 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. A commonly given endowment for low-income students is the federal Pell grant. Since 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. Working moms especially are encouraged to apply for the Scholarships for Moms program, which is just a title given to a portion of the standard Pell grant program. The administration believes that equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy and be a great benefit to 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 should help defray the other expenses associated with going to college. As well as books and supplies, a student has to pay for housing and travel expenses as well. For a single mom, other miscellaneous expenses may also include childcare. One great advantage 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 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. Consideration is given equally to mothers who would like to stay home and take care of their children while taking online courses, as it is to potential students who would prefer to go to a small community college. The most important 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 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.
