| It's widely accepted that education is important to | | | | many single working mothers have low incomes, these |
| having a successful future. Even before he became | | | | programs are a major help. There are plenty of |
| President, Barack Obama spoke about the need to | | | | options on where, when and what a student can |
| make education a priority. Grants and scholarships are | | | | study. With more incentives, more ambitious adults will |
| just the beginning of efforts to try to make over higher | | | | realize their goal to get a college degree. Increasing |
| education. For decades, college prices have steadily | | | | educational opportunity and performance is |
| increased. Tuition and housing costs often far exceed | | | | undoubtedly one of the President's goals. With the |
| scholarship offers. Many potential students suffer and | | | | recent passage of the economic stimulus plan, a lot of |
| are unable to afford to go to college. Single moms are | | | | college loans will be offered by the government. The |
| especially affected in a bad way. Helping single | | | | administration is also focusing on improving the |
| mothers get an education helps their families and | | | | performance of schools at all levels. There is also |
| future employers. The President believes in this and | | | | emphasis on encouraging more students to consider |
| has begun a mission to create scholarships for moms. | | | | community college. A 2-year degree or the time spent |
| Federal Pell Grants have now been fondly called | | | | learning a technical school from a community college |
| Obama grants. To help with university costs, a student | | | | can be a tremendous asset. In 2007 Obama stated, |
| can earn more than $5,000. The primary goal is to | | | | "We need to put a college education within reach of |
| encourage single moms to return to school, and by | | | | every American. That's the best investment we can |
| 2012 they could receive as much as $5,400. These | | | | make in our future." The President has shown a good |
| grants can be used to cover many of the | | | | effort to support his words through action. Scholarships |
| miscellaneous college expenses. There's also another | | | | for moms are only a small part of the mission to help |
| great program: the American Opportunity Tax Credit. | | | | educate more people. Traditional and non-traditional |
| This tax credit makes a way for students to write off | | | | students alike have numerous opportunities to put their |
| the first $4,000 of their education costs. This $4,000 | | | | education first. |
| write off can be a big help to many students. Since | | | | |