subject: Money For College: Obama Scholarships For Moms [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. Grants and scholarships are just the beginning of efforts to try to make over higher education.
Expenses like college tuition and housing grow even as the economy suffers. 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. Working, single mothers are particularly hit hard. 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. With these grants, college-bound students can receive over $5,000 to pay for school. Before Pell grants maxed out at about $4,000. With these grants for moms, they can pay for tuition, books or any other school-related expenses.
There's also another great program: the American Opportunity Tax Credit. This program allows the first $4,000 of education expenses to be free. This $4,000 write off can be a big help to many students. A grant and a tax break could be just the thing to help students like working single moms. There are plenty of options on where, when and what a student can study. 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. Through the recent stimulus package, many undergraduate and graduate loans will be less of a burden. The administration is also focusing on improving the performance of schools at all levels. There is also emphasis on encouraging more students to consider community college. 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 Reclaiming the American Dream speech in 2007, Obama said, "We need to put a college education within reach of every American. That's the best investment we can make in our future." With the measures he has taken to this point, the President has demonstrated he means his words. If the goal is to educate as many as possible, making grants available for mothers is a good step. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
