subject: Obama Grants Are Simply To Encourage Moms To Get A Degree [print this page] Although higher education is important, often a number of obstacles can hinder potential students from enrolling in college. At the top of this list, especially for single mothers, are family obligations and financial concerns. Obama grants meant to encourage mothers to return to college to earn a degree 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. An endowment often given to low-income students, is the federal Pell grant. 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. Working moms, in particular, 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. By equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree, the administration believes that this will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy, and be of great benefit to the families of those mothers, as it will increase their earning power in the work force.
Although $5,000 from a Pell grant may not seem like a lot of money, when you consider the high cost of education these days, 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, these miscellaneous expenses may also include childcare. A great characteristic 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.
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. Equal consideration is given to mothers who would like to stay home and take care of their children while doing online courses, to potential students who would prefer to go to a small community college. 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.
Obama grants are purely an effort by the current administration to show that education truly is the key to a bright future. By allocating a significant amount of money to pay for education, everyone from working mothers to young adults has a chance to go to college.
