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

May 18, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia – Ashworth College announced that Patrick Neuman, Santa Rosa, CA, is the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship, to pursue his online degree. Neuman’s essay, where he shared his personal story and aspiration to attain a higher education to improve his life, was selected from the close to 300,000 applicants applying for an eLearners.com Career Stimulus Package Scholarship.

Neuman, a father who is seeking skills that will allow him to re-enter the work force with expanded prospects, views online education as a perfect opportunity to make a better life and brighter future for his family. With his scholarship, he plans to pursue a Professional Veterinary Assisting Program at Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu).

“Since losing my job I’ve been trying to find a way to go back to school full time and still raising my kids the best I can,” said Neuman who refers to himself as a single father and “Mr. Mom”. “I was 20 years old when my first son was born and have worked ever since to support my family.”

Neuman, who shares custody of his children, put his education on hold to allow his ex-wife to pursue hers. “Five years ago I moved away from my family so we could live closer to her family and finish school,” he explained. “Then, during her last year of school I found out she was cheating on me.”

“I am just like all the others moms out there, except I am a father,” Neuman mused.  “I just want the opportunity to continue supporting my kids with a job that doesn’t break my back just for a paycheck and to help to pay for school so that it doesn’t take me another 10 years to finish.”

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 Neuman, 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 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.