subject: Mothers: Earn a Degree at a 2-Year College [print this page] Mothers: Earn a Degree at a 2-Year College
Community colleges often get picked on. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. 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. For a long time 2-year colleges have seemed like schools to go to in order to waste time and money. At a 2-year college, students can stay close to home to develop maturity or save money or even take basic courses to help determine their future majors. 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. 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. At a 2-year college, an exceptional SAT score and GPA could earn a full scholarship. Teen mothers who performed well in high school should definitely take note of this. A mother can take care of a number of necessary expenses using the $5,000 Pell Grant. The course offerings at many community colleges now more closely resemble those at traditional 4-year institutions. According to a 2002 New York Times article, 168 community colleges maintain honors programs. The standard teachings at 4-year schools are increasingly becoming the templates for smaller community colleges. 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. 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. Going to school in a less pressurized environment can greatly affect performance and make achievement seem more attainable. Earning an associate degree is a smart choice on the road to being a professional.
