subject: Obama Grants For Moms: Is College In Your Future? [print this page] Taking advantage of educational opportunities is a smart way to be successful. Since running for office in 2008, President Barack Obama has made education a priority issue for his administration. Many important people are focused on increasing scholarship opportunities and improving education.
College expenses continue to increase even as the economy slumps. Scholarship packages rarely cover the full amount for tuition, books and housing. With high costs looming, many young adults can't afford to go to a university. Single moms are especially affected in a bad way. To put more educated minds in the workforce and ensure that families are cared for, it's important to educate moms. More scholarships for single moms is one way to improve the situation. Because of his efforts many people now refer to Federal Pell Grants as Obama grants. With these grants, college-bound students can receive over $5,000 to pay for school. This is over $1,000 above the previous maximum, and it's a big help to moms who want to return to school. Tuition, books, travel and school supplies are all expenses that students can cover with grant money.
There's also another great program: the American Opportunity Tax Credit. With this tax credit, the first $4,000 of college expenses are free. At less expensive schools in particular this is a big credit. A grant and a tax break could be just the thing to help students like working single moms. Students have numerous school options: full-time or part-time, 2-year or 4-year college, multiple majors. Moms and students of all kinds can go to school with a little less to worry about.
Obama's efforts to improve education show that he takes this issue seriously. With some changes to the lending system, many graduate and undergraduate loans will be less costly. There is more government emphasis on properly preparing students for their future at all levels of education. The President believes community colleges need to become viable options. 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 his 2007 Reclaiming the American Dream speech, Obama stated, "We need to put a college education within reach of every American. That's the best investment we can make in our future." The President's actions are reflecting his words. Scholarships for moms are only a small part of the mission to help educate more people. If you're a potential student who wants to make education a priority, there are many chances for you to do so.