Government Programs Put College Degrees in Reach for Moms

For many mothers, both new and not-so-new, earning a college degree usually falls way behind things like raising a family, managing everyone's busy schedules, and -- let's face it -- maintaining one's sanity. Then again, if you peruse a recent survey on adult education conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, adults with children under the age of 10 are growing at a rapid rate as higher education participants.

Why the sudden rush to return to school? A major reason that moms have hit the books again is that recent government stimulus packages make a college education more accessible and affordable than ever. In an effort to encourage Americans to return to school, the Obama administration has offered several new educational benefits that directly benefit mothers. The changes include:

1. An increase in National Pell Grants to $5,300/year for all students who qualify
2. An increase in Tuition Tax Credits to $2,500/year for families who earn less than $180,000/year
3. Comprehensive improvements to the Federal Family Education Loan Program.

In a recent speech, President Obama asked "every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. This can be a community college or a four-year school, vocational training or an apprenticeship. But whatever the training may be, every American will need to get more than a high school diploma." Many moms are listening to the president’s advice.

"A back--to--school mom is being a living example, showing her children how to establish goals that extend out from the family," says Thomas Haller, MDiv, MSW, DST family therapist, and author of "The Ten Commitments: Parenting with Purpose" (Personal Power Press, 2005). "She shows her children how to structure time, set limits, and reach personal goals -- lessons that her kids will carry with them the rest of their lives."

For Winnie Warren, a stay-at-home mom with a one-year-old son, the pursuit of an online degree also provides her with much--needed mental stimulation. "My mind was going to mush," indicates the Ph.D. student. Online learning gave her an outlet to increase her professional productivity. "I'm doing something for myself while also doing something for my family."

On track for a Ph.D. in Public Policy Administration at Walden University, Winnie enjoys her classes and current role as a teaching assistant. What's interesting, she notes, is that as a TA, she sees how learning goes above and beyond the actual subject matter. Learning is not constrained by time or place, she says, illuminated by the fact that she teaches students around the world and answers their e--mails late at night, after her son has gone to sleep. Winnie is so impressed with the functionality of eLearning that she aspires to become an online teacher upon completion of her Ph.D.

She sees flexibility as the biggest benefit to eLearning, especially when raising a young child. While it's important to be self--disciplined and meet assignment deadlines, Winnie explains, when her son is sick, "everything stops." The nature of her online courses permits her to work around his schedule. "I plan school around my family, not vice versa."

Ultimately, Winnie maintains a dual dedication -- to her studies and to her family, and has found a way to make them complementary. "Whatever I fit into my busy schedule, I make sure it's something I enjoy doing, like learning and teaching. Of course, being a mom is the best job in the world."

When Carlyn Blake's children were a bit older -- three and five -- she decided to enroll in an instructional and performance technology graduate online program at Boise State University. Her main purpose: To further her career as a Certified Performance Technologist with Key Bank and maintain the family balance she deemed so important.

When Carlyn, who was working in human resources at the time, noticed that the new employees getting hired all had master's degrees, she began to question her own job security. "What would it be like to get a job without one?" she wondered. An online degree was the answer, especially since being a full--time working mother presented its own challenges.

"The online learning [process] transformed not only me, but my entire department," Carlyn explains. "Whatever I would learn in the classroom one night, I began applying in the workplace the very next day." Her department relied on her so much for information and education to improve their workflow that she was promoted and given the title "Continuous Improvement Projects Leader."

Carlyn also found a way to ensure continuous improvement at home. Through Boise's flexible online program, she was able to devote the hours of 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. to her studies. Although she was often burning the midnight (and beyond!) oil, and it took her four years to complete her studies, online learning enabled Carlyn to spend time with her family. She even became a regular at their swim and gymnastic meets in between her studies.

Upon completion of her master of science degree with a 4.0 GPA, Carlyn was promoted to Senior National Employee Development Manager at Key Bank. "The online degree completely changed everything for me."

In addition to the professional advantages, Carlyn also realized the positivity that online learning has allowed her to pass on to her children. In a conversation with her daughter, Carlyn explained that she had just finished the 17th grade. And, she pointed out: "You can go all the way up to 22nd grade!"