subject: Obama Grants Helping Moms Prepare for Success [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. Both academically and personally junior colleges present a wealth of options. Earning money to go to school is also an important but not impossible task. 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. Young mothers who recently graduated high school obviously benefit from this situation, but so also do older mothers. 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. Getting $5,000 can go a long way toward earning a professional degree. Perhaps the biggest reason many people choose community college is to save money. Even with a $5,000 Pell Grant for a mother, saving money is always important. Usually the tuition and fees at a junior college are more than 50% less expensive than many colleges and universities. Having high SAT scores and GPA could result in a 2-year college paying through scholarships for that bright student to come to that school. 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 many schools the gap is closing between the classes that 2-year colleges offer and those that are offered at big liberal arts universities. In 2002, the New York Times reported that more than 150 junior colleges have an honors section. One particular school in Arizona even had various overseas study opportunities. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. All of these diverse courses and study opportunities expand students' knowledge and help them enroll in 4-year colleges. 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.
