subject: Obama Grants: Helping Mothers Go Back to School [print this page] Obama Grants: Helping Mothers Go Back to School
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. Two-year colleges present many interesting possibilities for gaining an education. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well. Despite the jokes and put-downs, community colleges do have something to offer students who are ambitious. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. Young mothers who recently graduated high school obviously benefit from this situation, but so also do older mothers. For moms who want to gain knowledge and degrees, the Obama scholarships for mothers are a strong financial benefit. The $5,000 grant is a huge bonus for going to college. The most important reason for many who attend a community college is the lower costs. 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. At a 2-year college, an exceptional SAT score and GPA could earn a full scholarship. This is good news for a teen mother who wouldn't find it feasible to attend a university even if she has the high test scores to allow it. Travel expenses and housing are just a couple of the other necessary expenses that could be covered with the $5,000 grant. At junior colleges many students will find that they have study opportunities that are similar to 4-year schools. A 2002 New York Times article found that 168 junior colleges have an honors program. 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 benefit is that students gain a broader perspective of the world, and colleges are able to attract more students. Attending a community college is made even more accessible for mothers who have earned a Pell Grant. No matter what program she wants to study at a 2-year college, the $5,000 Scholarships for Moms award is a huge asset. Whether you want to eventually earn an advanced degree or want to go into a business or industry, junior college can help you achieve that goal. A 2-year associate degree is a great start to sound career development.
