Temple Resident, Army Spouse Receives a Full-Tuition Online Degree Scholarship

Jan. 29, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia – Ashworth College today announced that Laneeka Williamson, a resident of Temple, TX, is the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship, to pursue her online degree. Williamson’s essay, where she shared her personal story and aspiration to attain a higher education to improve her life, was selected from the close to 300,000 applicants applying for an eLearners.com Career Stimulus Package Scholarship.

Williamson, who is a military spouse, was looking for both an online education and a career that would fit with the mobile military lifestyle. With her scholarship, she plans to pursue a Professional Bridal Consulting Program at Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu).

“My husband and I have talked so many times about my going back to school to start a career, but nothing was available where we lived that fit our budget,” Williamson said. “Receiving the scholarship to Ashworth College will truly better my life and the life of my family.”

As an Army wife, Williamson already knew that distance education would be her best option because of its portable nature. “We move around a lot so the ability to go online anywhere is perfect,” she explained. “And because the program is self paced and I can always refer back to my training if I ever need reassurance.”

Williamson knows from first-hand experience that becoming a bridal consultant is the career of her dreams. “Every woman wants someone to be professional and friend-like when dealing with a wedding! I know I did,” Williamson said. “Gaining the skills to help women make their special day perfect is the best thing I can think of!”

“Everyone needs some type of college education and I know that Ashworth College is the right place for me,” she concluded.

The Career Stimulus Package $4 million scholarship campaign was designed to highlight the need for financial aid and promote awareness and interest in online higher education.  It also helped give people the confidence they need to pursue a degree and the career they want, even in this tough economy. The Career Stimulus Package campaign received about 100,000 applications a month from adults who expressed interest in returning to school.  To apply for a scholarship, applicants had to explain why they want to go back to school, what they hope to accomplish, how online education would help them accomplish those goals, and their personal stories of triumph over adversity.  

“Participating in the Career Stimulus Package Scholarship Campaign has been a positive experience for Ashworth College,” said F. Milton Miller, Ed.D. and Ashworth Vice President, Education. “It’s a great opportunity, through education, to help deserving, hard-working adults make a positive impact in their lives.”

“With the current economic climate, it is essential to have the greatest competitive advantage possible,” Miller added. “Having a college degree or advanced training can set an employee or job seeker apart -- demonstrating business knowledge to peers, potential customers and current or future employers.”

In addition to the scholarship for Williamson, Ashworth College granted an additional 29 scholarships.  In total, the Career Stimulus Package campaign awarded more than 100 full-tuition scholarships to deserving adults, with the help of eight accredited online schools.  

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our partner schools, adults are able to go back to school without having to worry about how they are  going to fund their education,” said Terrence Thomas, Executive Vice President of Marketing for eLearners.com.  “Adults are often a forgotten population when it comes to financial aid.  We hear from people over and over that they want to go back to school, but can’t afford it.  This campaign helped eliminate one huge roadblock for these individuals.”  

The Career Stimulus Package campaign also included a nationwide RV tour which offered free career coaching.  Nearly 1,000 people took part in the career coaching, which led to the creation of a free book of wisdom based on the most common questions asked from the road.  That book can be found at http://www.careerstimulus.com.

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About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leader in distance education, offers students worldwide more than 100 career-focused online high school and career diploma programs; undergraduate and graduate online certificate programs; and online Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree programs that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers specialized programs to corporate partners, active duty military personnel, military spouses, and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a division of the US Department of Education. Ashworth High School is also accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information visit AshworthCollege.edu.