subject: Mothers: A 2-year Degree And You [print this page] To many people junior college isn't "real" school. 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. Strong course work, lower tuition and geographic nearness are three of the best characteristics of community colleges. 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. A $5,000 award to return to school is a huge incentive.
Financial savings are a significant factor of attending junior college. Even with a $5,000 Pell Grant for a mother, saving money is always important. Consider that most college and university educations cost tens of thousands of dollars, but that isn't so at junior colleges. Furthermore, community colleges frequently offer full-ride scholarships to high school students with high standardized test scores and GPA. A young mom could greatly benefit from being rewarded for her efforts in high school. Travel expenses and housing are just a couple of the other necessary expenses that could be covered with the $5,000 grant.
The course offerings at many community colleges now more closely resemble those at traditional 4-year institutions. Honors programs at colleges are often a symbol of success, and a 2002 New York Times report found that many junior colleges offer these programs. The standard teachings at 4-year schools are increasingly becoming the templates for smaller community colleges. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. The exciting variety of classes that a student can take will only help as he or she moves on to a 4-year school or into the working world.
With scholarships for mothers, junior colleges are even more in reach than before. 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. A quality associate degree could lead to great career development.
