subject: Obama Grants Help Put Education First [print this page] Obama Grants Help Put Education First Obama Grants Help Put Education First
Taking advantage of educational opportunities is a smart way to be successful. Since his campaign to become President, Barack Obama has made education a key issue. Free money through grants and scholarships is only the beginning. Expenses like college tuition and housing grow even as the economy suffers. Tuition and housing costs often far exceed scholarship offers. Low-income students suffer the most if they are unable to secure enough scholarship or grant money. Single moms are especially affected in a bad way. Educating women and single moms is important to increase the workforce and help provide for children and families. The President has attempted to help by encouraging more grants for single mothers to attend school. There is no difference between Federal Pell Grants and Obama grants. The name "Obama grants" came as a result of the President's emphasis on educating moms. Currently students can earn about $5,350 through a Pell grant. This is over $1,000 above the previous maximum, and it's a big help to moms who want to return to school. These grants can be used to cover many of the miscellaneous college expenses. Another worthwhile program is the American Opportunity Tax Credit. Under this incentive program, education costs up to $4,000 are cleared. The $4,000 grant is especially great for low-income students. Single moms often fall into this group, so these programs are particularly beneficial to them. There are plenty of options on where, when and what a student can study. Taking away a little of the financial burden of college is a helpful way to get more students enrolled. Increasing educational opportunity and performance is undoubtedly one of the President's goals. The new stimulus package has some benefits for potential college students. Preparing schools and students for success is an important Obama administration mission. The President believes community colleges need to become viable options. To attend a 2-year college has a number of benefits, including saving money and learning a trade or skill. "We need to put a college education within reach of every American. That's the best investment we can make in our future." Those are the words of President Obama in his 2007 speech Reclaiming the American Dream. With the measures he has taken to this point, the President has demonstrated he means his words. Grants for moms are just a small but vital part of the education mission. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
