Laura Conley, a single mother of two who lost her home and job in the wake of Hurricane Ike, has been awarded an Ashford University full-tuition scholarship as a part of Project Working Mom. 

To earn the scholarship, Conley submitted an essay about her higher education aspirations. Her entry was selected out of more than 6,000 Ashford University applicants to the Project Working Mom scholarship program, developed by eLearners.com, a Web resource of EducationDynamics. Ashford University awarded 10 full-tuition scholarships. 

Conley, the sole provider for her family, holds a bachelor's degree and a passion for early childhood education. "We were homeless. I struggled with insurance, FEMA and providing my children with some sense of stability," Conley said. 

"You can lose everything, but no one can take your pride or education," her mother had advised. 

In her essay, Conley, 43, wrote, "My children value education because I do. They achieve because I have. They are internally motivated because I am. I model these things daily whether things have been really good or devastatingly crippling. 

"I must have as much knowledge as possible to contribute and guide. It starts with credibility and my commitment to my own personal education. My goal was to have my doctorate before I turned 40 and unless there is a time machine I can borrow, I have well passed that timeline, but the goal for a doctorate is still present and strong." 

She will be attending Ashford University to obtain a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. 

Ashford University is one of eight accredited online institutions donating more than 280 full-tuition scholarships worth nearly $5 million to the Project Working Mom campaign in 2010. 

Applications are now being accepted for the final round of Project Working Mom 2010; the deadline is Sept. 15. Applicants must complete a short application at www.projectworkingmom.com and write an essay describing how they will benefit from a college education. Winning applicants will be notified in October.   

About Ashford University

Founded in 1918, Ashford University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs online and at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. The University is known for its high quality yet highly affordable online and on-campus programs. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, director of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.