Online university awards full-tuition scholarship to single mom

Online university awards full-tuition scholarship to single mom

Adults who wish to earn a degree but feel inhibited by the high cost of continuing education, may want to research scholarship opportunities. Many nontraditional students, such as single mothers and individuals with full-time jobs, may be eligible for tuition assistance based on merit or financial need.

With the assistance of the Career Stimulus Package Scholarship program, Ashworth College is able to award financial aid packages to qualifying students who demonstrate academic promise. For example, the school recently announced that it has provided a single mother with a full-tuition scholarship.

Las Vegas resident, Donielle Moore, received the financial aid package in response to an essay she wrote about overcoming challenges in her life. By the age of 18 years, Moore graduated high school, became a first-time mother and launched a pastry business. With this scholarship, Moore will pursue an online degree in Ashworth's gourmet cooking and catering program.

In addition to the scholarship Moore received, Ashworth awarded 29 financial aid packages to eligible adult learners. In order to qualify for the Career Stimulus Package Scholarship, applicants must explain why they want to go back to school, how online education could help them reach their goals and their personal stories of overcoming hardship.

According to Sallie Mae - a provider of private and federal student loans - learners received more than $168 billion in financial aid during the 2008-2009 academic year.

By Mark Danson