subject: Moms: Get Your Degree at a Community College [print this page] Many people don't take junior colleges seriously. For busy moms community college can be a wonderful idea. Both academically and personally junior colleges present a wealth of options. 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. There are actually some very enticing benefits to go to these schools, including the lower tuition costs. The community college system is ideal for moms who don't have a lot of time or extra money on their hands. The federal education grants for mothers are helping ambitious mothers take the classes they need to earn degrees. 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. A $5,000 Pell Grant doesn't remove financial burdens, but it can certainly alleviate them. At a 4-year institution the cost of attendance could be 30,000 a year or more. At a 2-year college, an exceptional SAT score and GPA could earn a full scholarship. A young mom could greatly benefit from being rewarded for her efforts in high 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. 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. Some schools allow students to study subjects like philosophy and cultural art in places around the world. The benefit is that students gain a broader perspective of the world, and colleges are able to attract more students. The federal grant money for mothers will give an important boost to the women who want to go to school. No matter what program she wants to study at a 2-year college, the $5,000 Scholarships for Moms award is a huge asset. Community colleges can be great training grounds for attendance at 4-year colleges as well as for entering the work force. A 2-year associate degree is a great start to sound career development.
