subject: Moms: Earn Your Degree At A 2-year College [print this page] Many people don't take junior colleges seriously. For busy moms community college can be a wonderful idea. Both academically and personally junior colleges present a wealth of options. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well.
In the past the dominating perception has been that community colleges are for slackers or students who cant 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. Getting $5,000 can go a long way toward earning a professional degree.
The most important reason for many who attend a community college is the lower costs. Even having a $5,000 award doesn't take away from the wisdom of trying to save money. At a 4-year institution the cost of attendance could be 30,000 a year or more. Furthermore, community colleges frequently offer full-ride scholarships to high school students with high standardized test scores and GPA. Teen mothers who performed well in high school should definitely take note of this. Travel expenses and housing are just a couple of the other necessary expenses that could be covered with the $5,000 grant.
At many schools the gap is closing between the classes that 2-year colleges offer and those that are offered at big liberal arts universities. 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. A good example is the junior college that offers study credits in places such as London and French Polynesia. The benefit is that students gain a broader perspective of the world, and colleges are able to attract more students.
Grants for ambitious moms will certainly make junior colleges even more attainable. Even as they benefit from a $5,000 grant, mothers can reap the financial savings benefits of going to a small local college. Community colleges can be great training grounds for attendance at 4-year colleges as well as for entering the work force. On the path toward your career, a 2-year degree is a good first step.
