subject: Helping Mothers Get in School [print this page] Junior colleges frequently get a bad rapJunior colleges frequently get a bad rap. For women with children, 2-year colleges actually have some tremendous advantages. 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. 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. 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. Started in 2009, the Scholarships for Moms program helps to enroll moms in colleges and universities of all kinds. The $5,000 grant is a huge bonus for going to college. Perhaps the biggest reason many people choose community college is to save money. 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. Furthermore, community colleges frequently offer full-ride scholarships to high school students with high standardized test scores and GPA. This is a significant prize for young moms who still managed to do well in school. A mother can take care of a number of necessary expenses using the $5,000 Pell Grant. At junior colleges many students will find that they have study opportunities that are similar to 4-year schools. Many 2-year schools give their high-achieving students the chance to enroll in the school's honors program. Chances to study broad interests are also part of the developing community college landscape. For example, many junior colleges now offer study abroad courses in places like China and Mexico. Since junior colleges are state- and locally-funded, it helps them as well when they offer intriguing courses and can attract top students. The federal grant money for mothers will give an important boost to the women who want to go to school. Attending a junior college allows a mom to save some money even as she has the bonus of a $5,000 mom scholarship. Junior colleges are fully capable of producing capable professionals who move into work or go on to get an advanced degree. A 2-year associate degree is a great start to sound career development.
