subject: Putting Education First: Obama Scholarships [print this page] Education is always an important key to a good future. Since running for office in 2008, President Barack Obama has made education a priority issue for his administration. Grants and scholarships are just the beginning of efforts to try to make over higher education. Expenses like college tuition and housing grow even as the economy suffers. College costs can really add up especially when money for things besides tuition and housing is considered. Many young adults choose to forgo college because of the cost. A large number of these people are working mothers. More education helps single mothers achieve on their jobs and take care of their families. Creating college grants for moms is one way the President is dealing with this issue. Because of his efforts many people now refer to Federal Pell Grants as Obama grants. With these grants, college-bound students can receive over $5,000 to pay for school. Before Pell grants maxed out at about $4,000. These grants can be used to cover many of the miscellaneous college expenses. There's also another great program: the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit makes a way for students to write off the first $4,000 of their education costs. The $4,000 grant is especially great for low-income students. A grant for a working mother as well as a tax credit can help fund much-appreciated educational advancement. There are plenty of options on where, when and what a student can study. With a few less money worries, more single mothers can attend college. The President has demonstrated that he considers this issue a priority. The stimulus plan that passed has some provisions to make the college loan process easier. Preparing schools and students for success is an important Obama administration mission. There is also emphasis on encouraging more students to consider community college. Community college is important to prepare students for a 4-year college but also to prepare them for a 2-year degree or technical skill. In his Reclaiming the American Dream speech in 2007, Obama said, "We need to put a college education within reach of every American. That's the best investment we can make in our future." The President has shown a good effort to support his words through action. If the goal is to educate as many as possible, making grants available for mothers is a good step. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
