| Mothers: Get a Degree at a 2-Year College |
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By Fred Jackson Junior colleges frequently get a bad rap. Trying to attend school as a mother, however, means seriously looking into junior college options. Community colleges welcome bright students, and they have many benefits to offer. Financial aid is a common concern, but taking care of that is part of the package as well.
It's a big myth that junior colleges aren't for serious students. The truth is that junior colleges are a welcoming environment that is usually close to home, relatively inexpensive and full of challenging course offerings. This is perfect for young moms who are recently out of high school as well as older working or stay-at-home moms who want to return to school. Initiated in 2009, President Obama's Grants for Moms are aimed at alleviating some of the financial pressure moms have in trying to go to school. A $5,000 award to return to school is a huge incentive. One of the biggest attractions to junior colleges is the financial savings. Even with a $5,000 Pell Grant for a mother, saving money is always important. At a 4-year institution the cost of attendance could be 30,000 a year or more. In fact many high school graduates with a high SAT score can get a full scholarship to go to junior college. This is good news for a teen mother who wouldnt find it feasible to attend a university even if she has the high test scores to allow it. Whether you receive a school scholarship or not, the Pell Grant can be used to pay for most school-related expenses. At many schools the gap is closing between the classes that 2-year colleges offer and those that are offered at big liberal arts universities. In 2002, the New York Times reported that more than 150 junior colleges have an honors section. Many also have study opportunities that reflect the opportunities at big liberal arts universities. For example, many junior colleges now offer study abroad courses in places like China and Mexico. The benefit is that students gain a broader perspective of the world, and colleges are able to attract more students. A community college education is well within reach for a mom who has earned an education grant. No matter what program she wants to study at a 2-year college, the $5,000 Scholarships for Moms award is a huge asset. These schools also allow a mom to prepare for a productive career in two years or a transfer to a 4-year college. On the path toward your career, a 2-year degree is a good first step. So what's holding you back? Take advantage of a $100,000 scholarship drawing. Registration is free if you visit http://www.scholarshipsformomsfinder.info/ |
