Boston Resident Receives a Full-Tuition Online Degree Scholarship from Ashworth College

April 5, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia  – Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) announced that Erin Johnson-Pina, a mother from Boston, MA is the recipient of a national “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” full-ride scholarship. Johnson-Pina will pursue a Professional Bridal Consulting Program at Ashworth College, an accredited online institution.  Ashworth College is one of the five participating “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” schools to help send parents back to college – tuition free – in these tough economic times.  

The third Project Working Mom campaign generated more than 315,000 applications, including some of the most gut-wrenching, heart-warming and inspiring essays as part of the process.
 
Boston mother, Johnson-Pina, is one of about 60 parents to receive the “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” scholarship; Ashworth College is awarding 20 of those scholarships.

“I am not going to make history. I am going to change history… my history.”

“For over 10 years I have been living month to month not knowing how bills will get paid,” Johnson-Pina said. “I am ready to change my path to the future. I am ready to be proud of who I am and my accomplishments. I am ready for my children and family to be proud of me.”

Johnson-Pina went on to explain that her goal is to own her own business. “I’m looking forward to helping women have a wedding day they will remember forever. A day that I wish I had for my wedding,” she explained, alluding to financial challenges that prevented her from having her own dream wedding.
 
“Partnering with Project Working Mom…and Dads Too! has been a fantastic opportunity for Ashworth College to help make a difference. Through education, we’ve been able to help deserving, hard-working parents improve their lives,” said F. Milton Miller, Ed.D. and Ashworth Vice President, Education.

“A college degree can set an employee or business owner apart as a professional -- demonstrating business knowledge to peers, potential customers and employers,” Miller added. “Education can take skills - and income - to the next level.”

Each of the “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” scholarship recipients will receive a scholarship to complete an online degree program tuition free.  The overwhelming response to this scholarship opportunity and the stories of sacrifice and determination from the applicants have been a stark reminder of the struggles parents face in balancing life, work and school and how online education can help people achieve their goals.

“Going back to school isn’t easy, but without the right degree you may get passed over for a job or promotion,” said Helen MacDermott, the content director for “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!”, who is also a mom going to school online.  “This campaign was designed to remove the barriers so people can go to school at their own time and pace and don’t have to worry about the costs.  We’ve helped make dreams come true and it’s been an honor to be a part of these campaigns.”

eLearners.com, an online education resource that connects prospective students with online learning providers, first created “Project Working Mom” in January 2008.  The initial campaign received more than 50,000 applications and awarded about 40 scholarships.  That campaign was quickly followed by “Project Working Mom 2”, which received more than 72,000 applicants and awarded more than 50 scholarships.  All campaigns combined distributed an estimated market value of more than $6 million in full-ride scholarships.

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About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leader in distance education, offers students worldwide more than 100 career-focused high school, career school, associates, bachelor’s and master’s online diploma, certificate, and 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). The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. 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.