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Program Helps Moms Get Back To School

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Nov 17, 2009 11:36 pm US/Eastern

Program Helps Moms Get Back To School

BOSTON (WBZ) ― For some people, getting a college degree is a dream that hasn't come true. It's especially hard for moms who have devoted their lives to family and work at the expense of their own education.

That was the case for Marcia Webb Donarumo, 49, a mother of four from Templeton, Massachusetts.

Donarumo had to drop out of college when she was young because of financial problems. Then came marriage, kids, plus her full time job.

"I feel like I need to complete my degree to be marketable long term….and it's just something I wanted to do, to be able to say, 'I did it'," said Donarumo.

That became a reality when Donarumo found Project Working Mom on the internet.

"Working moms face the most barriers trying to go back to school," said founder Helen MacDermott.

Often the biggest stumbling block: money to pay for it. So Project Working Mom hooked up with five online colleges to offer scholarships to worthy candidates.

"The crux of the application hinges on the personal essay. In the essay, we ask applicants to discuss their personal and professional goals and how an online degree would help them reach those goals," says MacDermott.

Donarumo decided to take a chance and wrote a letter saying, "Completing my degree would challenge me, expose me to new things, force me to embark on a new adventure."

Her letter won her a full scholarship to American Sentinel University. E-learning allows her to study from home and continue her full time job.

"Because it's such a gift for me, I'm going to do it no matter what it takes," said Donarumo.

Her family thinks it's funny that she has to do homework too, and they are very supportive of her decision.

"I think she deserves it. She works hard and helps us all the time and it's really great that she kind of gets to do this for herself."

But as her letter reveals, it's really not just for herself.

"I want to show my children that although the path may be long, and at times seems insurmountable, that to pursue your dreams is the way to live your life," said Donarumo.

While the program was originally called Project Working Mom, it's now open to dads too. So far 94 moms and dads have been awarded nearly $4,000,000 in scholarships. The next deadline for applying for scholarships is November 30.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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