New Online Education Scholarship Offers Moms Assistance

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL, November 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) Given today's challenging economy, more moms want to contribute more financially to their households. In fact, 90 percent feel this pressure, with 65 percent desiring to advance their careers or considering a return to work, according to a survey from American InterContinental University of working and stay-at-home moms in the United States.

The survey of 1,800 moms nationwide found that despite the workforce pressures all moms face, more than 70 percent are not fully satisfied with their current education or skill set. This was especially true with Hispanic moms surveyed. Yet, only 27 percent have returned to school or plan to return in the next six months because of the time commitment and financial resources needed to obtain a degree. Of those who did return, many are doing so online—namely stay-at-home moms.

"While many experts speak about the country's economic challenges in broader terms, these findings indicate the impact on American moms and their desire to achieve more financial stability for their families," said Jennifer Ziegenmier, vice president, university student management, AIU. "Now more than ever, it's important to provide mothers with flexible options to help them further their education and develop their skills as they consider going back to work or advancing their careers."

Ziegenmier says AIU has helped address prospective students' financial concerns with a scholarship program for women that it has continued to commit to over the past two years. This year's scholarship, the AIU WomenAchieve Scholarship, provides qualifying women financial assistance to earn a master's degree online. Potential candidates must complete an application, submit a personal essay and obtain a letter of recommendation from a professional mentor. The deadline for applying online at womenachieve.org is Nov. 15, 2010.

More Moms Seek Education Online
The opportunity to earn a degree online now makes it easier for busy parents to pursue their education while balancing family and work commitments. In fact, all of the 67 percent of stay-at-home moms who said they're furthering their education are doing so online, according to the survey.

"At AIU we're committed to helping moms rise above some of the challenges they face when it comes to pursuing higher education by offering a convenient way of earning a degree online," added Ziegenmier, also a working mom. "AIU Online provides a career-focused education that helps arm students with the skills they need to be successful in the workplace."

Ziegenmier says advisors help students navigate the phases of their coursework and faculty, many with industry expertise, help guide students on their career path. In addition, a robust career services department is dedicated to helping students prepare for the workforce.

The survey was conducted by Toluna/Greenfield Online on behalf of AIU to determine the economy's impact on moms and their education. Additional findings include:

* Of those moms who have returned to school, almost 30 percent reported an increase in their income while almost one in four were able to enter a new career field;

* Nearly 25 percent of moms are considering a return to school after being laid off; and

* Hispanic moms are the least content with their education; 81 percent said they're not fully satisfied with their current level of education.

For more information on AIU program offerings visit http://www.aiuniv.edu; for the AIU WomenAchieve Scholarship, visit http://www.womenachieve.org.

About the AIU Working Mothers Survey
The AIU Working Mothers survey was conducted in July 2010 for American InterContinental University by Toluna/Greenfield Online. The margin of error at the 95% confidence interval level was +/- 2.3%. The sample of 1,800 U.S. mothers nationwide included 523 Hispanic women and 529 African-American women who identified themselves as working full-time or part-time (minimum of 20 hours per week), or as stay-at-home moms.

Founded in Europe in 1970, American InterContinental University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in programs such as business, IT, criminal justice and design at U.S. campuses in Atlanta, Houston, Weston, Fla.; an international campus in London; and an internet-based online campus headquartered in suburban Chicago. The award-winning AIU Online Virtual Campus was recognized as "Best of the Best" in the 2009 Computerworld Honors Program.

AIU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. For more info visit http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org or call 312-263-0456. AIU is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more info visit http://www.aiuniv.edu. AIU does not guarantee employment or salary.