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

Oct. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- NORCROSS, Georgia – Ashworth College announced that Katy Morton, Indian Mound, TN, 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.

Ending a relationship is the downside of divorce. But the positive side for some can be opening doors to a new and better future. Following the split from her husband, Morton, a former military spouse, quickly felt the effects of the country’s current economic climate. Transplanted to Tennessee, far away from family and friends back in Texas, and good paying jobs far and few between, she found herself scraping to get by.

Still optimistic to provide the best for her two children, she set her sites on the future and is determined to meet her goals by continuing her education. With her scholarship, she plans to pursue a Professional Medical Billing and Claims Program at Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu).

“Although my oldest is in school, my youngest is only four months old and I want to be nearby,” Morton said. “After I pay my rent, utilities, and Internet there is very little left. Things like tuition and textbooks are luxuries I just can’t afford.”

Morton explained that because she lives out in the country, she is an ideal candidate for online education. “I won’t have to worry about transportation costs or daycare for my youngest. I can stay at home and let my education come to me.”

“My children deserve a better life than this,” Morton added. “By getting my education online, I can get my career going and finally have the freedom I've been dreaming of.”

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 Dr. Leslie Gargiulo, 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,” Gargiulo 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.

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About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leader in online education, offers students worldwide more than 100 online college degrees, online career certificates, online career training and high school online diplomas that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers military education online as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth High School is further accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu.