subject: Junior College and the Road to Being a Professional [print this page] Junior College and the Road to Being a Professional
Community colleges often get picked on. If you're a hard-working mom, however, the junior college environment may be exactly what you're looking for. Community colleges welcome bright students, and they have many benefits to offer. Chances for financial assistance increase the potential for community colleges to attract quality students. It's a big myth that junior colleges aren't for serious students. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. The community college system is ideal for moms who don't have a lot of time or extra money on their hands. For moms who want to gain knowledge and degrees, the Obama scholarships for mothers are a strong financial benefit. There are few better financial aid opportunities than a $5,000 grant. School costs like tuition can be extremely high, but one of the the best things about 2-year colleges is the relatively low cost of attendance. Even with a $5,000 Pell Grant for a mother, saving money is always important. At a 4-year institution the cost of attendance could be 30,000 a year or more. Having high SAT scores and GPA could result in a 2-year college paying through scholarships for that bright student to come to that school. A scholarship based on achievement is a huge incentive for many ambitious teenage mothers. A student can use the mom grant to pay for any school or school-related costs. Increasingly, the curriculums at 2-year colleges are becoming more rigorous and offering more academic opportunities. Honors programs at colleges are often a symbol of success, and a 2002 New York Times report found that many junior colleges offer these programs. Many also have study opportunities that reflect the opportunities at big liberal arts universities. Some schools with high achievement have been able to develop unique study abroad opportunities. The exciting variety of classes that a student can take will only help as he or she moves on to a 4-year school or into the working world. Attending a community college is made even more accessible for mothers who have earned a Pell Grant. Even as they benefit from a $5,000 grant, mothers can reap the financial savings benefits of going to a small local college. These schools also allow a mom to prepare for a productive career in two years or a transfer to a 4-year college. A 2-year associate degree is a great start to sound career development.
