subject: Money To Attend College: Obama Grants For Moms [print this page] If you want to be successful, getting a good education is a good start. Even before he became President, Barack Obama spoke about the need to make education a priority. Scholarships and grants are only a small part of the education system makeover.
Although the economy has dramatically fallen, college prices have continued to rise for many years. Besides tuition and housing, fees for books, travel and eating are often not covered. Unfortunately some students turn away from higher education because it's too expensive. One group that is particularly hit hard is single mothers. Not only does educating mothers help provide for their families, but it also improves the workforce. Creating college grants for moms is one way the President is dealing with this issue. Federal Pell Grants have now been fondly called Obama grants. Currently students can earn about $5,350 through a Pell grant. Before Pell grants maxed out at about $4,000. These grants can be used to cover many of the miscellaneous college expenses.
Single moms should also consider the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This tax credit makes a way for students to write off the first $4,000 of their education costs. The $4,000 grant is especially great for low-income students. A grant for a working mother as well as a tax credit can help fund much-appreciated educational advancement. Another great factor is that students aren't particularly targeted based on what or where they study. Diversity is encouraged. With a few less money worries, more single mothers can attend college.
Increasing educational opportunity and performance is undoubtedly one of the President's goals. With the recent passage of the economic stimulus plan, a lot of college loans will be offered by the government. There is more government emphasis on properly preparing students for their future at all levels of education. Higher education at a 2-year college can be a great option, and there is emphasis being put on that fact. Community colleges are more than a stepping stone on the way to a university. They are valuable institutions.
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." So far Obama's actions are backing up his words. 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.
