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

May 26, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia – Ashworth College announced that Lorna Morton, Chester, VA, is the recipient of a full-tuition scholarship to pursue her online degree. Morton’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.

Morton is a working mother of two, specifically seeking a college program that will allow her to continue to work and to care for her daughter who suffers with ADHD and RAD. With her scholarship, she plans to pursue a Professional Medical Billing and Claims Program at Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu).

“I don't have time to go to school in a traditional setting,” Williams said, explaining the challenges she faces in caring for her daughter. “Our routine includes counseling, doctor appointments, teacher conferences, track practice and worship.  However, I believe the process to obtain an online degree is one that my schedule can adjust to.”

“When I discovered that I could pursue my studies online, not only did I feel this could make me a better mom, it also helped me appreciate the positive aspects of the Internet,” she explained. “I’ll be able to show my daughter that using the computer is for more than games, email and pictures.”

Williams plans to include her children in her college experience by demonstrating how they will be able to use the computer to have a positive impact on their lives. “I plan to share my schedule of classes with my son and daughter, blocking off time for computer study on the calendar so they can visualize the time and effort it will take to succeed,” Williams added.  “We'll celebrate little victories like good grades together!  I'm showing them to not settle for less and that with determination and clear goal setting you can accomplish your dreams.”

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 Morton, 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.