Best College & Education in Idaho — 18 resources

About College & Education for Women

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.

College & Education in Idaho

Idaho magistrate divisions handle custody matters within the district courts. The Child Support Services division within the Department of Health and Welfare runs enforcement. Boise, Meridian, Nampa, and Idaho Falls are the largest cities. Idaho Legal Aid Services and the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence provide free family law and safety help to women statewide.

18 Resources

1. Idaho State Board of Education — Free

The Idaho State Board of Education on W State St in Boise governs Idaho's four-year public universities and oversees the state's three Idaho Opportunity Scholarship programs supporting Idaho students attending Idaho colleges. The board sets statewide tuition policy and administers the GEAR UP program preparing low-income middle-schoolers for college. Call 208-334-2270.

208-334-2270 · 650 W State St Suite 307, Boise, ID 83702 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Boise State University

Boise State on University Dr enrolls over 25,000 students and is Idaho's largest university by enrollment. The Returning Adult Resource Center supports women returning to school after a break and the Women's Center offers programming on gender equity and leadership. Online programs let working mothers earn degrees in business, education, and nursing without leaving home. Call 208-426-1000.

208-426-1000 · 1910 University Dr, Boise, ID 83725 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. University of Idaho

The University of Idaho in Moscow is the state's flagship land-grant university, with a Boise campus serving Treasure Valley students. The Women's Center supports gender-equity programming and the McNair Scholars Program prepares first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students for graduate school. Online and Boise-based programs accommodate working mothers. Call 208-885-6111.

208-885-6111 · 875 Perimeter Dr, Moscow, ID 83844 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Idaho State University

Idaho State University in Pocatello specializes in health sciences, pharmacy, and dental programs, with the largest concentration of health-professions programs in the state. The Adult Learner Services office helps mothers and non-traditional students with admissions, financial aid, and academic planning. ISU also operates a Meridian Health Sciences campus serving Treasure Valley students. Call 208-282-0211.

208-282-0211 · 921 S 8th Ave, Pocatello, ID 83209 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. College of Western Idaho

CWI on E Opportunity Dr in Nampa is the state's largest community college, with tuition under $4,000 per year and the lowest-cost path to a bachelor's degree via transfer to a four-year. The Adult Education program offers free GED prep at sites across Ada and Canyon counties. On-campus childcare and financial aid counselors support student mothers. Call 208-562-3000.

208-562-3000 · 5500 E Opportunity Dr, Nampa, ID 83687 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. College of Southern Idaho — Twin Falls

CSI on Falls Ave in Twin Falls serves the Magic Valley with associate degrees, technical certificates, and free Adult Basic Education programs. The Refugee Center on campus helps resettled women access education and English language learning. CSI also partners with regional employers on workforce training, including healthcare and advanced manufacturing pathways. Call 208-733-9554.

208-733-9554 · 315 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID 83301 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Idaho FAFSA and Financial Aid Resources — Free

The federal FAFSA application at studentaid.gov is the gateway to Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and most Idaho state and institutional aid. The Idaho FAFSA filing rate has historically lagged the national average; financial aid offices at every Idaho college offer free filing help. Phone 800-433-3243 reaches federal aid customer service.

800-433-3243 · Online Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

8. Idaho Adult Education and GED Programs — Free

Idaho's adult education programs operate through the State Department of Education and the community college network, offering free GED prep, English language learning, and Workforce Training programs. Sites include CWI, CSI, College of Eastern Idaho, North Idaho College, and Lewis-Clark State College. The state office on W Washington St in Boise can be reached at 208-332-6800.

208-332-6800 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website

9. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free

Filing the FAFSA opens eligibility for federal Pell Grants up to $7,395 per year, subsidized loans, and work-study. Idaho-specific scholarships including the Opportunity Scholarship require FAFSA on file. The form is free; never pay to file. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool autofills tax data, reducing errors. October opens the new cycle for the following academic year.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Federal Pell Grant — Free

Pell Grants are need-based federal grants up to $7,395 per academic year for the 2024-25 cycle that never need to be repaid. Eligibility runs to roughly 200% of federal poverty depending on family size and college costs. Pell can be split across summer to accelerate degree completion. Idaho students received over $80 million in Pell awards in recent academic years.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

AAUW awards more than $5 million in fellowships and grants annually, with categories specifically targeting women pursuing graduate study, women in STEM, women returning to school, and women planning research careers. Idaho applicants have received Selected Professions Fellowships and American Fellowships. Application cycles open each summer for the following academic year.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. P.E.O. International — Women's Education — Free

P.E.O. supports women's education through six distinct programs including the P.E.O. Scholar Awards for doctoral students, P.E.O. Continuing Education grants for women returning to school, and the P.E.O. STAR Scholarship for graduating high school seniors. Idaho's many P.E.O. chapters nominate local women for these awards. Cottey College in Missouri is also P.E.O.-owned.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

Live Your Dream Awards target women who are the primary financial support for their families and are enrolled in undergraduate or vocational programs. Local Idaho Soroptimist clubs in Boise, Twin Falls, and Pocatello award club-level cash grants of

,000-
,000, and winners advance to regional and national rounds with awards up to
6,000. Apply through Soroptimist.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

,000 scholarships specifically to low-income women age 35 and older pursuing vocational, technical, or undergraduate education. Idaho applicants have won in past cycles. Applications open each November for the following academic year. Selection emphasizes both financial need and goals after graduation.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

Named for Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink, the foundation awards Education Support Awards to low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Awards range from ,000 to $5,000. The application requires demonstration of financial need plus a personal statement about educational goals. Idaho mothers have received awards in past application cycles.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Scholarships.com — Free

Scholarships.com is a free scholarship search engine with millions of opportunities filtered by criteria including gender, age, field of study, ethnicity, and location. The site never charges and never requires payment to apply for listed scholarships. Idaho-specific filters return state-residency awards including the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. College Board — BigFuture — Free

BigFuture from the College Board offers free college search, scholarship search, and SAT prep tools. The platform's scholarship finder matches mothers and non-traditional students with awards based on background and goals. BigFuture also offers career exploration tools linking academic interests to occupations and salary data.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

18. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Khan Academy partners with the College Board to deliver the only official free SAT practice platform, with personalized practice based on PSAT or SAT scores. Idaho high school juniors and adult learners returning to take the SAT can study at their own pace at no cost. The platform also offers free Math, English, and AP course content.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in Idaho?
Women's Corner tracks 18 college & education resources for women in Idaho.
Are college & education resources in Idaho free?
13 of the 18 listed college & education resources in Idaho are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Idaho have college & education resources?
Listings span cities including Boise, Moscow, Pocatello, Nampa, Twin Falls.
What are some examples of college & education resources in Idaho?
Featured entries include Idaho State Board of Education, Boise State University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, College of Western Idaho.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 18 Idaho college & education listings include 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.