subject: Helping Moms Go to School [print this page] Helping Moms Go to School Helping Moms Go to School
Many people don't take junior colleges seriously. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. 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. For a long time 2-year colleges have seemed like schools to go to in order to waste time and money. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. The flexibility and opportunity are great for moms who want to go to school. The federal education grants for mothers are helping ambitious mothers take the classes they need to earn degrees. Getting $5,000 can go a long way toward earning a professional degree. Perhaps the biggest reason many people choose community college is to save money. A $5,000 Pell Grant doesn't remove financial burdens, but it can certainly alleviate them. 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 young mom could greatly benefit from being rewarded for her efforts in high school. A mother can take care of a number of necessary expenses using the $5,000 Pell Grant. Junior colleges are becoming much more diverse and challenging in the level of courses they have. According to a 2002 New York Times article, 168 community colleges maintain honors programs. Many also have study opportunities that reflect the opportunities at big liberal arts universities. For example, many junior colleges now offer study abroad courses in places like China and Mexico. These quality academic opportunities can help students as they work toward further degrees and as they develop their careers. A community college education is well within reach for a mom who has earned an education grant. The local college scene is a great place to make use of the $5,000 Pell Grant for moms. These schools also allow a mom to prepare for a productive career in two years or a transfer to a 4-year college. A quality associate degree could lead to great career development.
