subject: Education: Top Priority [print this page] It's widely accepted that education is important to having a successful 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. Schools don't offer scholarships to ever student to cover necessary expenses. Unfortunately some students turn away from higher education because it's too expensive. Single moms are especially affected in a bad way. Not only does educating mothers help provide for their families, but it also improves the workforce. It's important to the President and that's why he's implemented a program for scholarships for mothers. Federal Pell Grants have now been fondly called Obama grants. Currently students can earn about $5,350 through a Pell grant. This is an increase of $1,000 over the previous maximum, and the goal is to help working mothers return to school. With these grants for moms, they can pay for tuition, books or any other school-related expenses. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is also a very valuable program. This program allows the first $4,000 of education expenses to be free. This $4,000 write off can be a big help to many students. Both of these tax programs help single moms tremendously because they are traditionally low-income individuals. Another great factor is that students aren't particularly targeted based on what or where they study. Diversity is encouraged. Taking away a little of the financial burden of college is a helpful way to get more students enrolled. With his actions President Obama has confirmed his belief in this issue. The stimulus plan that passed has some provisions to make the college loan process easier. In addition, the government is focusing on helping schools improve teaching and students improve performance. The President believes community colleges need to become viable options. At a community college students can gain important knowledge as well as save money. 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." So far Obama's actions are backing up his words. Even though Obama's grants for moms get much attention they are certainly not the only important opportunity being offered. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
