subject: Take Two Years To Invest In Your Future [print this page] Community college is often the punchline to jokes about college. If youre a hard-working mom, however, the junior college environment may be exactly what youre looking for. There are a number of academic and personal benefits to attending a junior college, and these schools eagerly welcome high-achievers. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well.
A common falsehood is that only people who don't want to earn a "real" degree attend junior college. 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. For moms who want to gain knowledge and degrees, the Obama scholarships for mothers are a strong financial benefit. 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. This is good news for a teen mother who wouldnt find it feasible to attend a university even if she has the high test scores to allow it. A student can use the mom grant to pay for any school or school-related costs.
Increasingly, the curriculums at 2-year colleges are becoming more rigorous and offering more academic opportunities. A 2002 New York Times article found that 168 junior colleges have an honors program. Many also have study opportunities that reflect the opportunities at big liberal arts universities. A good example is the junior college that offers study credits in places such as London and French Polynesia. These quality academic opportunities can help students as they work toward further degrees and as they develop their careers.
Attending a community college is made even more accessible for mothers who have earned a Pell Grant. 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.
