subject: Moms, Should You Get a Community College Degree? [print this page] Moms, Should You Get a Community College Degree?
To many people junior college isn't "real" school. A 2-year college education could be exactly what a single or stay-at-home mom needs. There are a number of academic and personal benefits to attending a junior college, and these schools eagerly welcome high-achievers. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well. It's a big myth that junior colleges aren't for serious students. In reality many community colleges offer stimulating classes and often are right in your back yard. Young mothers who recently graduated high school obviously benefit from this situation, but so also do older mothers. 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. Getting $5,000 can go a long way toward earning a professional degree. The most important reason for many who attend a community college is the lower costs. Moms who apply for a $5,000 grant certainly want to be cost conscious when going to school. Usually the tuition and fees at a junior college are more than 50% less expensive than many colleges and universities. There is much competition at liberal arts colleges for scholarships, but at many junior colleges high SAT scores and GPA almost guarantee a significant scholarship. This is a significant prize for young moms who still managed to do well in school. A student can use the mom grant to pay for any school or school-related costs. At many schools the gap is closing between the classes that 2-year colleges offer and those that are offered at big liberal arts universities. Many 2-year schools give their high-achieving students the chance to enroll in the school's honors program. 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. The federal grant money for mothers will give an important boost to the women who want to go to school. Attending a junior college allows a mom to save some money even as she has the bonus of a $5,000 mom scholarship. Community colleges can be great training grounds for attendance at 4-year colleges as well as for entering the work force. Earning an associate degree is a smart choice on the road to being a professional.
