Calling All Entrepreneurs! How Community Colleges Can Help You Start Your Business

In a slow economy, single parents often feel the brunt of financial difficulties first. To help all students achieve their academic goals, a rising number of community colleges are providing single parents with special financial support. In fact, single parents may qualify for reduced or even free tuition, which can help them increase their skills and competitiveness in the job market.

The Tremendous Costs of Single Parenting

Many community colleges across the country recognize that single parents face greater financial difficulties than other students. Examining the struggles of single parents, Stamford Plus and Connecticut’s Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) found that a single parent with one child living in the Fairfield area requires a minimum income of $58,000 each year—and this estimate only covers a parent and child’s basic costs!

Adding to this, the FCCF reports that 21,000 local households are comprised of a single female parent with a child or children under the age of 18. To respond to this large population’s needs, Norwalk Community College (NCC) has become a leader in the education field, providing new and innovative programs to support single parents.

On Campus, Single Parents Are Not Alone

Located in Norwalk, Connecticut, NCC has created a new Family Economic Security Program (FESP). With support from the Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Fund for Women and Girls and the NCC Foundation, eligible students will have access to

If you’re worried about the economy and job market when considering your future career plans, don’t fear! There are a variety of career options that are expected to be steady amidst a dwindling economy.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and Kiplinger, the field with the greatest job security in tough economic times is the health care industry. As the country’s aging residents are fueling a need for greater health care services, experts anticipate a rising demand for care occupations. To pursue an economically “safe” pathway, choose from one of the three popular recession proof health care programs at your local community college: geriatric care, hospice support, and physician assistant programs.

Recession Proof Health Care Careers

Geriatric Care

As our steadily aging population maintains a rising life expectancy, students can be assured that a career in geriatrics will be not only be important, but also very stable. While a rising number of community colleges are creating programs to specifically train individuals for elderly care, most currently enrolled students can pursue a specialization in geriatrics as they complete their nursing certification program.

For example, students attending Nunez Community College (NCC), located in Chalmette, Louisiana, can enroll in courses that offer training, education, and hands on experience with elderly patients. As NCC states, students will learn about ethical and legal aspects of elderly care, and participants will also study the “Theories and concepts of aging, the physiologic and psychosocial changes and

As a response to the weakened economy, workplaces across the country are cutting back on their employees and salaries. While this may come as a devastating and unexpected surprise for many workers, some community colleges view this unfortunate downturn as a potential time for new opportunities.

Some community colleges are providing students with "insurance" against unemployment, while others are outright giving free tuition to students. While many community colleges have independently been offering residents free or reduced tuition, federal legislation may give unemployed individuals across the nation free access to further education.

This video looks at reduced tuition at community colleges.

Pending Legislation for Greater Support

In light of recent job cuts across the United States, many residents and leaders support plans to offer reduced or free tuition for unemployed citizens. As The Pittsburgh Gazette reports, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senator Bob Casey is one of the many senators and government officials proclaiming that reduced tuition may help foster an improved workforce for the future. Casey hopes to pass legislation that would create an Unemployment Tuition Assistance Program in the Department of Labor, wherein individuals who are receiving unemployment payments will be automatically notified as to whether or not they could also receive tuition assistance. If all goes as planned, the legislation could help reimburse schools a maximum of $1,000 per student.

While this plan sounds optimistic, many experts opposed to the plan

Although the American auto industry has been struggling recently, many experts believe that the auto industry will soon be hiring highly skilled workers to build energy-efficient vehicles. If you are passionate about automobiles, check out your local community college’s auto program. With careers in repair, engineering, design, and various other options, an auto-based education can help students race toward a potentially lucrative future!

Auto Programs and Opportunities

With diverse opportunities in the automotive industry, students can investigate new and traditional career options. For example, Shoreline Community College (SCC), located in Shoreline, Washington, is one of the many community colleges offering students exciting course opportunities. Students can enroll in Automotive Service, Automotive Programs, Automotive Career Training, Technical Education Networks, and General Service venues.

Best of all, each focus area is endorsed by a leading automotive company. For example, students enrolled in the Automotive Service Education Program can earn their degree with the support of General Motors. To provide students with both knowledge and experience, students enrolled in this pathway spend alternating quarters in the classroom and the workforce by participating in internships at a sponsoring General Motors dealership. Similarly, Chrysler also provides students with a cooperating internship opportunity, as students enrolled in the Chrysler College Automotive Program can also work at a Chrysler dealership while alternately attending classes. Both Honda and Toyota also provide students with cooperating work and educational options.

In addition, for students looking to graduate early, SCC offers three-quarter programs, such