Updated: Monday, July 20th, 2009

To encourage more students to apply and pay for colleges nationwide including two-year associates programs, the Department of Education introduced a less complicated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form earlier this year.

Now President Obama wants to further encourage Americans to invest in higher education and he expressed his feelings and the new American Graduation Initative last week at Macomb Community College in Michigan.

Obama addressed students, professionals, the employed and unemployed alike as he communicated his commitment to learning. He particularly endorsed education at the community college level as he feels this is one of the many necessary steps America must take to get out of the recession.

"[T]he American Graduation Initiative," he said, "will reform and strengthen community colleges... from coast to coast so they get the resources that students and schools need and the results workers and businesses demand."

"We seek to help an additional 5 million Americans earn degrees and certificates in the next decade," he stated, concluding by explaining that the government "need to figure out solutions for these kinds of challenges because facing these impediments shouldn't prevent you from reaching your potential."

For those interested in entering an associates program, there are many schools and resources nationwide to help with this.

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