subject: Obama Grants: What will they do to Encourage Moms to Get a Degree [print this page] No doubt higher education is important, but there are often a number of obstacles that can hinder potential students from enrolling in college. Family obligations and financial concerns are often at the top of this list, especially for single mothers. Obama grants are intended to encourage mothers to return to college to earn a degree, in an attempt to ease some of the concerns associated with going to college. In many cases, the purpose of federal grants is to help disadvantaged groups to attend college. The federal Pell grant is a commonly given endowment for low-income students. As the Obama administration has stated that it places a high priority on education, the benefits of Pell grants have been augmented in order to be a greater help to potential students. In particular, working moms are especially encouraged to apply for the Scholarships for Moms program, which is just a title given to a portion of the standard Pell grant program. Equipping low-income mothers to earn a degree will provide a stimulus to the lagging economy, the administration believes, and also be a great benefit to the families of those mothers, as a result of which will be an increase in their earning power in the work force. While the cost of education is high these days, $5,000 from a Pell grant may not seem like a lot of money, but it can be a help when you consider the other expenses associated with going to college. As well as books and supplies, a student has to pay for housing and travel expenses as well. For single moms, these miscellaneous expenses may also include childcare. One great advantage of the Pell grant award is that the money awarded does not necessarily have to be applied to college tuition. As long as the expense is vital to obtaining an education, it can be covered by the grant money. It must be remembered that this program is not specifically catering to traditional students; it provides opportunity for traditional and non-traditional students alike. If a mother wants to return to college to earn a degree, she will be just as welcome as a student who is fresh out of high school. Equal consideration is given to mothers who would like to stay home and take care of their children while doing online courses, to potential students who would prefer to go to a small community college. The most important thing is that all willing students are able to earn a degree that will provide them with significant opportunity in the job market. Obama grants are an effort by the current administration to show that education truly is the key to a bright future. By allocating a significant amount of money to pay for education, everyone from young adults to working mothers has a chance to go to college.
Obama Grants: What will they do to Encourage Moms to Get a Degree
