subject: Will Obama Grants Encourage Moms To Earn A Degree [print this page] No doubt higher education is important, but 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. 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.
The purpose of federal grants, in many cases, is to help disadvantaged groups to attend college. One 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. In particular, working moms are especially 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 by equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree, this will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy, and be a great benefit to families of those mothers as it will in turn increase their earning power in the work force.
With the high cost of education these days, $5,000 from a Pell grant may not seem like a lot of money but consider the other expenses associated with going to college. As well as books and supplies, a student has additional expenses of housing and travel as well. For a single mom, these miscellaneous expenses may also include childcare. A 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 can be seen to be necessary to obtaining an education, it can be covered by the grant money.
Finally, consider that this program doesnt cater specifically 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. 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. 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 crucial factor.
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, by the allocation of a significant amount of money to pay for education.
