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.
Connecticut's Superior Court handles family matters through regional Judicial Districts and Family Support Magistrate Division locations. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement under DSS. Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury are the largest cities. Connecticut Legal Services, Statewide Legal Services, and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) serve women.
The Connecticut Office of Higher Education at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford administers state scholarships including the Roberta B. Willis program and provides free FAFSA filing help to CT students. Call 860-947-1800 weekdays 8am to 5pm; bring tax returns and your SSN to FAFSA appointments.
860-947-1800 · 450 Columbus Blvd Suite 510, Hartford, CT 06103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
CSCU oversees Connecticut's four state universities (CCSU, ECSU, SCSU, WCSU), 12 community colleges being merged into CT State, and Charter Oak State College, serving over 80,000 students. Call 860-723-0000 to be routed to your campus's admissions or financial aid office.
860-723-0000 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website
Filing the FAFSA at studentaid.gov is the first step to qualifying for Connecticut's Roberta B. Willis Scholarship, federal Pell Grants, and CT campus-based aid. Call 800-433-3243 for help completing the form 24/7. Most Connecticut campuses require FAFSA filing by early March for priority aid.
800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
CAPS, administered through the Office of Higher Education at 450 Columbus Boulevard, is a need-based grant for CT residents attending public Connecticut colleges. Eligibility flows from your FAFSA results to the campus financial-aid office. Call 860-947-1855 weekdays 8am to 5pm with questions.
860-947-1855 · 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
UConn's Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program at 354 Mansfield Road in Storrs offers a major, minor, and graduate certificate. Faculty work spans reproductive justice, transnational feminism, and queer studies. Call 860-486-3970 weekdays for advising and admissions information.
860-486-3970 · 354 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT 06269 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Connecticut Adult Education, administered by the State Department of Education, offers free GED prep, English-as-a-second-language classes, and the National External Diploma Program at sites in every region. Call 860-713-6790 to find your nearest adult-education center.
860-713-6790 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
Gateway Community College at 20 Church Street in New Haven, now part of Connecticut State Community College, offers affordable two-year degrees, certificates, and PACT free-college aid for first-time full-time Connecticut students. Call 203-285-2000 weekdays to schedule a campus visit.
203-285-2000 · 20 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship is Connecticut's main need-and-merit aid program for CT residents attending CT colleges. Filing the FAFSA is the application; awards are made by participating CT campuses. Call 860-947-1855 weekdays for current eligibility cutoffs and award amounts.
860-947-1855 · Online Application · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Charter Oak State College at 55 Paul Manafort Drive in New Britain is Connecticut's public online college, designed for adult learners who want to transfer credits, test out, or earn a degree by distance. Call 860-515-3800 weekdays for admissions and credit-evaluation help.
860-515-3800 · 55 Paul Manafort Dr, New Britain, CT 06053 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
studentaid.gov is the official Department of Education portal where Connecticut students apply for federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and work-study, plus all Connecticut state aid. Annual filing window opens December 1 for the following academic year.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Pell Grant provides up to $7,395 per year (2024-25) in need-based aid to Connecticut undergraduates with no repayment obligation. Awards depend on your FAFSA-calculated Student Aid Index and enrollment intensity at any participating CT college or university.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAUW awards Career Development Grants and fellowships to women pursuing a degree change, advanced training, or doctoral research. Several Connecticut AAUW branches also award local scholarships to women in their geographic area; check branch sites in Greater Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. International runs five education programs including the Program for Continuing Education and the Scholar Awards. Connecticut chapters in dozens of cities recommend local women for these awards each spring; the national site lists current deadlines and award amounts.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Live Your Dream Award gives cash grants of up to
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards ,000+ scholarships to low-income women 35 and older pursuing technical training or an undergraduate degree — particularly valuable for Connecticut women returning to school after raising children or escaping abuse.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Patsy T. Mink Foundation awards Education Support Awards to low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Connecticut mothers studying at any accredited college, community college, or training program can apply during the annual cycle posted on the foundation site.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com's free database lets Connecticut women filter by state residency, field of study, demographic background, and even non-traditional-student status. Filtering for Connecticut surfaces local scholarships from CT community foundations and civic clubs.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
BigFuture from the College Board lets Connecticut students compare CT colleges side-by-side on cost, majors, graduation rates, and average financial aid. Free scholarship search and SAT registration are integrated with the College Board's existing student account.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy's free Official SAT Practice is the College Board's only endorsed prep program, with personalized study plans for Connecticut students preparing to take the SAT at any CT high school or weekend test center. Practice questions match the current Digital SAT format.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website