subject: How the Obama Scholarship Can Help You, Moms [print this page] Many people don't take junior colleges seriously. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. Personal benefits and academic challenges are part of the package for smart students who want to earn a degree. Chances for financial assistance increase the potential for community colleges to attract quality students. In the past the dominating perception has been that community colleges are for slackers or students who can't get admitted to "real" colleges. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. Mothers who work could especially benefit from the 2-year college system. For moms who want to gain knowledge and degrees, the Obama scholarships for mothers are a strong financial benefit. Earning $5,000 to help pay for school is a very attractive offer. Perhaps the biggest reason many people choose community college is to save money. Moms who apply for a $5,000 grant certainly want to be cost conscious when going to school. Consider that most college and university educations cost tens of thousands of dollars, but that isn't so at junior colleges. At a 2-year college, an exceptional SAT score and GPA could earn a full 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 junior colleges many students will find that they have study opportunities that are similar to 4-year schools. According to a 2002 New York Times article, 168 community colleges maintain honors programs. Many also have study opportunities that reflect the opportunities at big liberal arts universities. Some schools with high achievement have been able to develop unique study abroad opportunities. Since junior colleges are state- and locally-funded, it helps them as well when they offer intriguing courses and can attract top students. The federal grant money for mothers will give an important boost to the women who want to go to school. The local college scene is a great place to make use of the $5,000 Pell Grant for moms. Whether you want to eventually earn an advanced degree or want to go into a business or industry, junior college can help you achieve that goal. On the path toward your career, a 2-year degree is a good first step.
