subject: Moms: The Time to Prepare Is Right Now [print this page] It still remains true that learning and gaining knowledge are important to high achievement. There are many groups that are commonly disadvantaged when it comes to education, such as single mothers. It provides a strong foundation for future generations when their moms can expand their own knowledge. The federal scholarships for moms are a new and important way of encouraging women to earn a degree. Started by President Obama in 2009, the grants for mothers are aimed at getting working, stay at home and single mothers to get enrolled in colleges and universities. The money comes from the federal Pell Grant program, and the $5,000 award can be used at schools of all types. There is a significant list of all the school-related costs that can be paid for with the $5,000 grant. In all the system aims to be open, effective and very beneficial. There are plenty of areas for women to focus their studies if they enroll in school. College and university majors of all kinds are open and available to study. Whether it's a focus on industry or art, there are many study programs that can provide the education for a steady career. As long as you're open to the job possibilities then you can have success in the working world. Although scholarships for moms provide a place to start, for many people it is difficult to know where that education will lead them. One way to enhance your preparedness is to do online career research. There are many publications that provide information about multiple industries, such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook. This guide by the US Department of Labor analyzes the current trends of employment in a number of sectors. The 10-year job projections can help analyze how specific jobs and an industry as a whole will perform in the upcoming years. CareerOneStop is another resource by the Department of Labor, and it can provide information about necessary training, average salary and projected growth for different jobs. There are many sites out there, but it's entirely possible to find good resources about career development. Oftentimes there are patterns in the information that is available that can provide hints about what career choices are most viable. A slow economy shouldn't slow down the pursuit of education. Education and training can prepare many for the work demands of the future. As long as women bare the brunt of tough financial times it's important to provide resources to help them cope. The education grants for moms do just that.