Ashworth College offers Anchorage Mom a full-ride scholarship to pursue her education online

June 21, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia – June 18, 2010 – Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) announced that Maria Haas, a mother from Anchorage, AK is the recipient of a national “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” full-ride scholarship. Haas will pursue a Professional Veterinary Assisting 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.
 
Anchorage mother, Haas, was one of about 60 parents to receive the “Project Working Mom…and Dads, Too!” scholarship; Ashworth College awarded 20 of those scholarships.

“My husband and I are high school sweethearts, and as soon as we got married we quickly learned that I was non-responsive to hormonal birth control,” said Haas, a mother of three children, all under the age of four. "All three kids are a blessing, but it didn’t give me the opportunity to finish school.”

Since moving to Alaska, Haas has been searching for educational programs that will fulfill her passion for animals. “For a long time I’ve wanted to become a veterinary technician. I love animals and they seem comfortable around me – I’ve been called a "pet whisperer," she explained. “Unfortunately, none of the schools in Anchorage provide programs in animal care.”

“I’m currently supporting my husband's dream pursuing his education, so I’m working full time and taking care of my family,” Haas added. “I need the convenience of being able to do my schooling late at night, after the babies are asleep. Getting my education online with Ashworth College is an amazing opportunity and a step towards reaching my goal.”

“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.