subject: Obama Grants for Mothers: Education Is Top Priority [print this page] Obama Grants for Mothers: Education Is Top Priority
Education is always an important key to a good future. Since his campaign to become President, Barack Obama has made education a key issue. Grants and scholarships are just the beginning of efforts to try to make over higher education. Although the economy has dramatically fallen, college prices have continued to rise for many years. Tuition and housing costs often far exceed scholarship offers. With high costs looming, many young adults can't afford to go to a university. Single, working moms are a big section of this group. To put more educated minds in the workforce and ensure that families are cared for, it's important to educate moms. The President has attempted to help by encouraging more grants for single mothers to attend school. Because of his efforts many people now refer to Federal Pell Grants as Obama grants. Currently students can earn about $5,350 through a Pell grant. Before Pell grants maxed out at about $4,000. Working mothers can pay for tuition and books or even daycare if that allows them to attend school. Another incentive to consider is the American Opportunity Tax Credit. With this tax credit, the first $4,000 of college expenses are free. This is a worthy incentive, especially for schools that are less expensive. Single moms often fall into this group, so these programs are particularly beneficial to them. Students have numerous school options: full-time or part-time, 2-year or 4-year college, multiple majors. Moms and students of all kinds can go to school with a little less to worry about. Making more efforts to improve education opportunities is the best way for President Obama to show that he values them. The stimulus plan that passed has some provisions to make the college loan process easier. In addition, the government is focusing on helping schools improve teaching and students improve performance. Higher education at a 2-year college can be a great option, and there is emphasis being put on that fact. A 2-year degree or the time spent learning a technical school from a community college can be a tremendous asset. "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. The President has shown a good effort to support his words through action. If the goal is to educate as many as possible, making grants available for mothers is a good step. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
