subject: Money To Attend College: Obama Scholarships For Moms [print this page] If you want to be successful, getting a good education is a good start. President Obama is a good example, and he has shown his commitment to helping others. Free money through grants and scholarships is only the beginning.
For decades, college prices have steadily increased. 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. To put more educated minds in the workforce and ensure that families are cared for, it's important to educate moms. 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. These grants award a student over $5,000 to go to college. This is over $1,000 above the previous maximum, and it's a big help to moms who want to return to school. 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. With this tax credit, the first $4,000 of college expenses are free. This is a worthy incentive, especially for schools that are less expensive. Since many single working mothers have low incomes, these programs are a major help. 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.
The President has demonstrated that he considers this issue a priority. The new stimulus package has some benefits for potential college students. There is also emphasis on ways to improve school and student achievement in all areas. The President believes community colleges need to become viable options. 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." The President's actions are reflecting his words. Even though Obama's grants for moms get much attention they are certainly not the only important opportunity being offered. Traditional and non-traditional students alike have numerous opportunities to put their education first.
