subject: Moms: How Education Grants Can Help You [print this page] Many people don't take junior colleges seriously. If youre a hard-working mom, however, the junior college environment may be exactly what youre looking for. Community colleges welcome bright students, and they have many benefits to offer. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well.
For a long time 2-year colleges have seemed like schools to go to in order to waste time and money. The truth is that junior colleges are a welcoming environment that is usually close to home, relatively inexpensive and full of challenging course offerings. The flexibility and opportunity are great for moms who want to go 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. Earning $5,000 to help pay for school is a very attractive offer.
School costs like tuition can be extremely high, but one of the the best things about 2-year colleges is the relatively low cost of attendance. A $5,000 Pell Grant doesn't remove financial burdens, but it can certainly alleviate them. Usually the tuition and fees at a junior college are more than 50% less expensive than many colleges and universities. There is much competition at liberal arts colleges for scholarships, but at many junior colleges high SAT scores and GPA almost guarantee a significant scholarship. A scholarship based on achievement is a huge incentive for many ambitious teenage mothers. Whether you receive a school scholarship or not, the Pell Grant can be used to pay for most school-related expenses.
Junior colleges are becoming much more diverse and challenging in the level of courses they have. Many 2-year schools give their high-achieving students the chance to enroll in the school's honors program. Certain community college are beginning to mirror the syllabi at big-name colleges and universities. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. Since junior colleges are state- and locally-funded, it helps them as well when they offer intriguing courses and can attract top students.
Attending a community college is made even more accessible for mothers who have earned a Pell 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.
