subject: Pell Grants: Helping Mothers Go to School [print this page] Pell Grants: Helping Mothers Go to School
Community colleges often get picked on. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. Personal benefits and academic challenges are part of the package for smart students who want to earn a degree. Add in a financial advantage or two and your education is within reach. 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 community college system is ideal for moms who don't have a lot of time or extra money on their hands. Initiated in 2009, President Obama's Grants for Moms are aimed at alleviating some of the financial pressure moms have in trying to go to school. Earning $5,000 to help pay for school is a very attractive offer. Financial savings are a significant factor of attending junior college. Even having a $5,000 award doesn't take away from the wisdom of trying to save money. At a 4-year institution the cost of attendance could be 30,000 a year or more. Furthermore, community colleges frequently offer full-ride scholarships to high school students with high standardized test scores and GPA. 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. 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. One particular school in Arizona even had various overseas study opportunities. For example, many junior colleges now offer study abroad courses in places like China and Mexico. 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.
