subject: Mothers: Earn Your Degree At A 2-year College [print this page] To many people junior college isn't "real" school. For busy moms community college can be a wonderful idea. Personal benefits and academic challenges are part of the package for smart students who want to earn a degree. With financial opportunity you could get the education you want and need.
A common falsehood is that only people who don't want to earn a "real" degree attend junior college. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. The community college system is ideal for moms who don't have a lot of time or extra money on their hands. 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. The cost of attendance at junior colleges is often half that of 4-year schools. 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. Whether you receive a school scholarship or not, the Pell Grant can be used to pay for most school-related expenses.
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. Chances to study broad interests are also part of the developing community college landscape. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. These quality academic opportunities can help students as they work toward further degrees and as they develop their careers.
A community college education is well within reach for a mom who has earned an education grant. No matter what program she wants to study at a 2-year college, the $5,000 Scholarships for Moms award is a huge asset. 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.
