Mobile 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 Jean Dixon, a mother from Mobile, AL, is the recipient of a national “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” full-ride scholarship. Dixon 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.
 
Mobile mother, Dixon, is one of about 60 parents to receive the “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” scholarship; Ashworth College is awarding 20 of those scholarships.

“Over the years I have worked off and on while raising my children, mostly out of necessity, but only for short periods of time,” said Dixon, who has been married for 32 years, is a mother of six, and grandmother of one. “I couldn’t work fulltime because all of my salary would go towards child care, so I’ve never really had a career.”

“It wasn’t until one of my sons got married that I realized I had a talent for planning weddings,” she explained. “Neither family had a lot of money to spend, especially on a fairytale dream wedding. I took charge, coordinated the family members and managed everything from the flowers and favors to the catering. The only thing we didn’t make was the tuxedos.”

“Since my son’s wedding, I’ve done several others to rave reviews,” she added. “I’m looking forward to turning my passion into a career and my scholarship from Ashworth College will certainly help to make my dreams a reality.”              
                               
“Partnering with Project Working Mom…and Dads Too! has been a fantastic opportunity for Ashworth College to help make a difference. Through online 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 and Career online diploma programs; undergraduate and graduate online certificate programs; and Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s online 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.