subject: Moms: Know Your Community College Financial Aid Options [print this page] Community colleges often get picked onCommunity colleges often get picked on. A 2-year college education could be exactly what a single or stay-at-home mom needs. Community colleges welcome bright students, and they have many benefits to offer. With financial opportunity you could get the education you want and need.
For a long time 2-year colleges have seemed like schools to go to in order to waste time and money. At a 2-year college, students can stay close to home to develop maturity or save money or even take basic courses to help determine their future majors. This is perfect for young moms who are recently out of high school as well as older working or stay-at-home moms who want to return to school. Championed by President Obama in 2009, the Grants for Moms incentive is an effort to help more moms enroll in junior colleges and other schools of their choice. There are few better financial aid opportunities than a $5,000 grant.
The most important reason for many who attend a community college is the lower costs. Even with a $5,000 Pell Grant for a mother, saving money is always important. The cost of attendance at junior colleges is often half that of 4-year schools. Having high SAT scores and GPA could result in a 2-year college paying through scholarships for that bright student to come to that school. This is good news for a teen mother who wouldnt find it feasible to attend a university even if she has the high test scores to allow it. Travel expenses and housing are just a couple of the other necessary expenses that could be covered with the $5,000 grant.
Increasingly, the curriculums at 2-year colleges are becoming more rigorous and offering more academic opportunities. 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 allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. All of these diverse courses and study opportunities expand students knowledge and help them enroll in 4-year colleges.
A community college education is well within reach for a mom who has earned an education grant. The local college scene is a great place to make use of the $5,000 Pell Grant for moms. Community colleges can be great training grounds for attendance at 4-year colleges as well as for entering the work force. Two years of study and training at a community college has many career benefits.
