About College & Education
Education resources for women include FAFSA-based federal aid (Pell Grants up to ~$7,000/year), the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title IX protections against sex discrimination on campus, and dedicated single-mother scholarships through the Jeannette Rankin Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards, and Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation. Community colleges offer low-cost two-year degrees and trade certificates, often with CCAMPIS-grant subsidized on-campus childcare. AAUW funds career development grants and fellowships for women. GED and HiSET programs run through state adult education offices, usually free. This directory covers FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education, and women's scholarships.
19 Resources
The Alabama Commission on Higher Education administers state financial aid programs, scholarships, and grants for women pursuing higher education in Alabama. Call 334-242-1998 or visit ache.edu to learn about the Alabama Student Assistance Program, Alabama Student Grant Program, and other state-funded financial aid. Located at 100 N Union St, Montgomery. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
334-242-1998 · 100 N Union St, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Alabama's 24 community colleges offer affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, workforce training, and transfer pathways to four-year universities for women across the state. Tuition is significantly lower than universities. Call 334-293-4500 or visit accs.edu to find your nearest campus and explore programs in healthcare, business, technology, and trades. Financial aid available. Campus hours vary.
334-293-4500 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid determines eligibility for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study programs for women at any accredited college. Complete it annually at studentaid.gov. Call 800-433-3243 for help. Have your Social Security number, prior-year tax returns, and bank statements available. Submit as early as possible after October 1 each year. Free to complete online 24/7.
800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
The Alabama Student Grant Program provides need-based financial aid grants for undergraduate women attending eligible Alabama private and independent colleges. Apply through ACHE at ache.edu after completing your FAFSA. Call 334-242-1998 for eligibility requirements and application deadlines. Located at 100 N Union St, Montgomery. Award amounts vary by need and available funding. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
334-242-1998 · 100 N Union St, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The University of Alabama offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Women's and Gender Studies, examining gender, race, sexuality, and power. The program provides an interdisciplinary education valuable for careers in social work, law, public policy, and advocacy. Call 205-348-5100 or visit ua.edu for admissions information. Located in Tuscaloosa. Financial aid and scholarships available. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
205-348-5100 · Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Alabama State University is a public HBCU in Montgomery offering undergraduate and graduate programs with strong student support services for women, including counseling, career services, Title IX resources, and women's organizations. Call 334-229-4100 or visit alasu.edu for admissions information. Scholarships and financial aid available for qualifying students. Located at 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
334-229-4100 · 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Alabama's Adult Education program offers free GED preparation classes, adult literacy instruction, and English language learning at community college locations statewide. Women who did not complete high school can earn their GED credential to qualify for better jobs and college admission. Call 334-293-4500 or visit accs.edu/adult-education to find the nearest class location. Class schedules vary by site. Free to attend.
334-293-4500 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
Tuskegee University is a nationally recognized HBCU offering undergraduate and graduate programs in engineering, business, nursing, and the liberal arts with dedicated student support services for women. The university has strong alumni networks and career placement programs. Call 334-727-8011 or visit tuskegee.edu for admissions and financial aid information. Located at 1200 W Montgomery Rd, Tuskegee. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
334-727-8011 · 1200 W Montgomery Rd, Tuskegee, AL 36088 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Alabama Possible helps first-generation and low-income students access and succeed in higher education through college coaching, scholarship connections, and advocacy. Their College Access Alliance connects students with campus support resources and financial aid. Call 334-244-3330 or visit alabamapossible.org. Located at 400 S Union St Suite 445, Montgomery. Women can schedule college planning appointments. Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
334-244-3330 · 400 S Union St Suite 445, Montgomery, AL 36104 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov to determine eligibility for Pell Grants, federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, and federal work-study. Women should file as early as possible after October 1 each year. Have Social Security numbers, prior-year taxes, and asset information ready. FSA ID required to sign the application. Free to complete; no cost to apply for aid.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Federal Pell Grant provides need-based funding of up to $7,395 per year for undergraduate women who qualify based on their FAFSA results. Grants do not need to be repaid and can be used at any accredited college, university, or vocational school. Eligibility is determined annually through the FAFSA. Women from low-income households often qualify for the maximum award. Apply at studentaid.gov each year.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The American Association of University Women offers fellowships and grants specifically for women pursuing higher education. Programs include the American Fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral research, Career Development Grants for women returning to school, and Selected Professions Fellowships for women in underrepresented fields. Visit aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants for eligibility and application deadlines. Free to apply.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. International offers multiple education funding programs exclusively for women, including the P.E.O. Scholar Award, Program for Continuing Education grants, Educational Loan Fund, and STAR Scholarship. Programs support women at all levels from high school through graduate school. Must be sponsored by a local P.E.O. chapter. Visit peointernational.org to find a local chapter and learn about eligibility. Applications open annually.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards provide education grants to women who are the primary financial support for their families and are pursuing training or education to improve their circumstances. Awards range from
,000 to
0,000. Applications are submitted through local Soroptimist clubs with a November deadline. Visit soroptimist.org/our-work/live-your-dream-awards to find a local club and learn how to apply.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation offers scholarships of up to ,000 for low-income women age 35 and older pursuing technical or vocational training or an undergraduate degree. Priority given to women who are single parents or supporting dependents. Applications open January 1 annually. Visit rankinfoundation.org for eligibility requirements and to access the application. Free to apply online.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Patsy Mink Education Foundation provides scholarships and education support for low-income women and mothers pursuing post-secondary education, honoring the legacy of the congresswoman who championed Title IX. Awards are available for women at community colleges, universities, and vocational programs. Visit patsyminkfoundation.org for application information and deadlines. Free to apply. Applications reviewed annually.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com is a free national scholarship search engine with a database of millions of awards for women, minorities, adult learners, single parents, and students in specific fields. Create a free profile to receive personalized scholarship matches. The platform also offers financial aid guides, college planning resources, and scholarship application tips. Visit scholarships.com to start searching. No cost to use.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The College Board's BigFuture platform at bigfuture.collegeboard.org offers free college planning tools, scholarship searches, and SAT preparation for women entering higher education. Features include a college search tool, financial aid estimator, application deadline tracker, and scholarship matching. Create a free account to save results and track your college list. Available online 24/7 at no cost.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy offers completely free, official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board at khanacademy.org/sat. Women preparing for college can access personalized practice tests, instructional videos, and detailed skill reviews. Link your College Board account for a tailored study plan based on your PSAT or prior SAT results. Available 24/7 with no cost. Also offers AP exam prep and general math courses.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many college & education resources are in Alabama?
- Women's Corner tracks 19 verified college & education resources for women in Alabama.
- Are college & education resources in Alabama free?
- 15 of the 19 listed college & education resources in Alabama are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Alabama have college & education resources?
- Listings span cities including Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee.
- What are some examples of college & education resources in Alabama?
- Featured entries include Alabama Commission on Higher Education, Alabama Community College System, FAFSA — Federal Student Aid, Alabama Student Grant Program, University of Alabama — Women's and Gender Studies.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 9 of 19 Alabama college & education listings include verified phone numbers.
- How do I pay for college as a single mom?
- Start with FAFSA at studentaid.gov — single moms typically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year, not repaid). Add state grants, Federal Work-Study, and scholarships specifically for single mothers (Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation, Soroptimist Live Your Dream, Jeannette Rankin Foundation). Many community colleges have Single Parent Programs with childcare, books, and emergency funds.
- Can I go to college while on welfare?
- Yes — TANF rules now count post-secondary education toward work requirements in most states, especially CTE/vocational programs. The CCAMPIS program funds free on-campus childcare at hundreds of colleges. SNAP students with kids under 12 qualify for SNAP E&T benefits. Tell your TANF caseworker you're enrolling — they often have hidden funds for books, transportation, and uniforms.
- How do I get a GED?
- GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs
6–
44 depending on state, and many states waive fees for low-income test-takers. Call 211 or search 'adult education' + your state. Most centers offer free childcare during classes.
Are there scholarships specifically for women?Yes — AAUW, P.E.O. International, Jeannette Rankin Foundation (women 35+), Society of Women Engineers, Live Your Dream Awards, and hundreds of state-specific awards target women, especially returning students and mothers. Search Fastweb and Scholarships.com filtered for 'women' and your major. Apply to many small scholarships — they're less competitive than big ones.