SOURCE: eLearners.com

 

HOBOKEN, NJ--(Marketwire - December 23, 2008) - eLearners.com, a leading website for connecting students with online education, today announced its second round of Project Working Mom full-ride online college scholarship recipients. The scholarships, totaling more than $2 million, are provided by American Sentinel University, Ashford University, Capella University, Everest University and Penn Foster College. Over the course of a 10 week outreach campaign, Project Working Mom received more than 72,000 applications from working moms across the United States seeking financial aid to help make their dreams come true.

Project Working Mom first launched in January 2008 and was followed by the second campaign which ran from June to August 2008. Combined the two phases of Project Working Mom attracted more than 120,000 applications and awarded more than $4 million in full-ride scholarships to 93 working moms.

For many of the scholarship recipients, this scholarship is life changing. "I don't have a lot of family who have gone to school and certainly not those who have received scholarships. To my family and I, this is better than winning the lottery," said one of the scholarship recipients.

"It was heart wrenching and awe inspiring to read the submissions from the scholarship applicants -- and to learn about the obstacles they have overcome and their determination to improve their lives and the lives of their families through education," said Helen MacDermott, spokesperson for Project Working Mom and an online student mom. "But perhaps what is even more inspiring is actually seeing these women go back to school and pursue their dreams. That's the really cool part of Project Working Mom."

Census data shows that most mothers start college, but do not finish. Research indicates that life's demands and the barriers of time, money and confidence play a role in the low percentage of single moms who are college graduates -- only about 15%. Seeing the need to help, eLearners.com created Project Working Mom to help women break through these barriers. By going to school online, the recipients are able to set their own schedule and study from home.

"I want to be able to graduate and have a career that I am proud of, and a career that will help me support my family," said another scholarship recipient. "I want to be able to make a difference, and with an education I know that I can do that."

The Project Working Mom scholarship recipients are from 28 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. The scholarships awarded range from the associate's to Ph.D. level. To apply for the scholarship, working moms had to submit a short application and an essay with their life, education and/or career goals, and explain how an online education would allow them to achieve those goals. The recipients' essays are posted at www.projectworkingmom.com. The scholarship recipients are:

American Sentinel University

Nicole Coffman, Waldolf, MD; Marcia Webb Donarumo, Templeton, MA; Estelle Thomson Hale, Anchorage, AK; Genelle Herron, Chesapeake, VA; Peggie Reinhardt, Lucasville, OH; Rebecca Peyrefitte, Huntington Beach, CA; Lexa Montierth, Roswell, NM; Janice Sykes, Grand Ledge, MI; Rita Williams, Norlina, NC.

Ashford University

Jinny Alexander, North Brunswick, NJ; Katie Crocker, Horseheads, NY; Audrena Dias, Kansas City, MO; Linda Guido, Brick, NJ; Margaret Rancourt, Lindstrom, MN; Angela Reed, Detroit, MI; Sanna Schweitzer, Hilo, HI; Nellie Scurti, San Jose, CA; Lisa Welch, Topeka, KS; Angela Yu, Philadelphia, PA.

Capella University

Tamiko Booth, Hattiesburg, MS; Linda Brautigam, Hummelstown, PA; Lori Brosseau, Sarasota, FL; Alyssa Ohleyer, Idaho Springs, CO; Sandra Nunez, Diamond Bar, CA.

Everest University

Heidi Blake, Windsor, CT; Melisa Dotson, Canton, GA; Tameka Echols, Romeoville, IL; Felipa Gonnella, Beaumont, CA; Angela Hart, Forest, VA; Lorraine Phillips, Carrollton, GA; Renee Sellers, West Chester, PA; Delayne Strand, Stillwater, MN; Ann Marie Ulery, Sherwood, AR.

Penn Foster College

Passion McGrew, Upper Marlboro, MD; Karen Adams, Port Orange, FL; Crystal Taglialatela, Johnstown, NY; Violet Curley, Sterling, CT; Kala Copeland, Needham, AL; Lorrie Colichio, Bellport, NY; Aiyona Barr, Sun Valley, NV; Stacey Adams, Shamokin, PA; Shana DeBusk, Clermont, FL; Sheena Vige, Amaudville, LA; Demaree Fobian, Palm Coast, FL; Theresa Foster, Trenton, OH; Caroline Masi, Staten Island, NY; Jasmine Muller, Miramar, FL; Tracy Shepherd, Grand Junction, CO; Paula Knoph, Waco, TX; Crystal Giordano, Westbrook, ME; Dawna Moody, Columbus, OH; Kimberly Black, Northglenn, CO; Donna Gannon, Arroyo Grande, CA; Megan Luca, Traverse City, MI.

Given the overwhelming interest and demand, eLearners.com and its partner schools are launching the next phase of Project Working Mom, "Project Working Mom... and Dads Too!", in January. The campaign will include scholarships from Ashford University, Capella University, Everest University, Virginia College Online, and Ashworth College. Unlike previous campaigns, this campaign will also open the scholarship pool to dads.

More details will be announced the first week of January. To learn more about Project Working Mom, log onto www.projectworkingmom.com.

Editors Note: To arrange an interview with a scholarship recipient, a member of Project Working Mom, or a member of a participating university, contact Jenny Foust at 303.433.7020, jfoust@csg-pr.com.

About eLearners.com®

The eLearners.com website is one of several high visibility, high-quality prospecting tools offered by EducationDynamics. Since 1999, eLearners.com has been successfully connecting learners to online education, including online degree and certificate programs, specialized career training, and a variety of online courses. For prospective students, eLearners.com provides a powerful search engine for users to find thousands of online program offerings, as well as educational evaluation tools and financial aid resources. For colleges and universities, the eLearners.com website offers a low-cost, performance-based method to provide national exposure and increase enrollments in their programs. For more information on eLearners.com, visit http://www.eLearners.com.