subject: Money To Attend College: Obama Grants For Mothers [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. Free money through grants and scholarships is only the beginning.
One familiar part of the economic meltdown is the rise in college tuition and other costs. College costs can really add up especially when money for things besides tuition and housing is considered. With high costs looming, many young adults can't afford to go to a university. Single, working moms are a big section of this group. More education helps single mothers achieve on their jobs and take care of their families. The President has attempted to help by encouraging more grants for single mothers to attend school. Although they are the same, many people refer to Federal Pell grants as Obama grants. With these grants, college-bound students can receive over $5,000 to pay for school. The primary goal is to encourage single moms to return to school, and by 2012 they could receive as much as $5,400. Working mothers can pay for tuition and books or even daycare if that allows them to attend school.
Another worthwhile program is the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This program allows the first $4,000 of education expenses to be free. This is a worthy incentive, especially for schools that are less expensive. Both of these tax programs help single moms tremendously because they are traditionally low-income individuals. There are almost no restrictions on where and what a student studies. 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. With the recent passage of the economic stimulus plan, a lot of college loans will be offered by the government. In addition, the government is focusing on helping schools improve teaching and students improve performance. Higher education at a 2-year college can be a great option, and there is emphasis being put on that fact. Community college is important to prepare students for a 4-year college but also to prepare them for a 2-year degree or technical skill.
In a 2007 speech called Reclaiming the American Dream, the President said that making college education more available is "the best investment we can make in our future." President Obama has shown he is serious about action. Scholarships for moms are only a small part of the mission to help educate more people. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
