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.
18 Resources
Louisiana Board of Regents oversees state higher education and administers financial aid programs including scholarships, need-based grants, and workforce development initiatives for women pursuing college degrees. Call 225-342-4253 or visit regents.la.gov to explore funding opportunities, academic program listings, and transfer pathways. FAFSA is required for most state aid programs. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. A key starting point for women researching public college options and state scholarship eligibility in Louisiana.
225-342-4253 · 1201 N 3rd St Suite 6-200, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Louisiana Community and Technical College System operates 12 colleges statewide offering affordable career training, associate degrees, workforce certificates, and transfer programs. Tuition is significantly lower than four-year universities. Programs include healthcare, technology, business, and skilled trades. Call 225-922-2800 or visit lctcs.edu to find your nearest campus and explore program offerings. Financial aid including Pell Grants available. FAFSA required for aid. Campus hours vary; most offer evening and online classes.
225-922-2800 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website
FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid required to access federal Pell Grants, subsidized loans, and work-study programs for college. Complete at studentaid.gov or call 800-433-3243. You will need your Social Security number, tax returns, and bank information. Apply as early as October 1 each year — some aid is first-come, first-served. Free to complete. FAFSA also determines eligibility for most state grants and institutional scholarships. Online 24/7.
800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
TOPS is Louisiana's merit-based Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, covering tuition at Louisiana public colleges and universities for qualifying students who meet GPA and ACT score thresholds. Different award tiers cover varying amounts. Apply through the state financial aid office at osfa.la.gov. Call 800-259-5626 for eligibility questions. Maintain GPA requirements to keep the award. A significant tuition benefit for Louisiana women pursuing higher education at public universities. Apply by completing FAFSA first.
800-259-5626 · 602 N 5th St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge is the state's flagship public university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Women's support resources include the LSU Women and Gender Studies program, Title IX office, student services, counseling, and career development. Call 225-578-3202 or visit lsu.edu for admissions and program information. Financial aid available through FAFSA, TOPS, and institutional scholarships. Located in Baton Rouge. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for admissions and student services.
225-578-3202 · Baton Rouge, LA 70803 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Southern University in Baton Rouge is a public HBCU offering undergraduate and graduate programs with strong student support services for women including counseling, tutoring, career development, and financial aid advising. The university has a proud tradition of serving Black women seeking higher education. Call 225-771-4500 or visit subr.edu for admissions information. Financial aid available through FAFSA and institutional scholarships. Located at 801 Harding Blvd. Admissions office open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.
225-771-4500 · 801 Harding Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans is a private HBCU renowned for its pharmacy and science programs and strong track record of sending Black women to medical and professional schools. Women's support includes counseling, mentoring, career development, and academic advising. Call 504-486-7411 or visit xula.edu for admissions and scholarship information. Located at 1 Drexel Dr. Financial aid through FAFSA and merit scholarships available. Admissions open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Nationally recognized for academic excellence.
504-486-7411 · 1 Drexel Dr, New Orleans, LA 70125 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Louisiana Adult Education provides free GED preparation, high school equivalency testing, and adult literacy classes at locations across the state. Classes are available days and evenings to accommodate working women. Call 225-219-7600 or visit louisianabelieves.com to find your nearest adult education center. Bring ID to enroll. No cost for classes or testing fees for qualifying adults. GED credential opens doors to college and better employment. Programs also include English literacy for non-native speakers.
225-219-7600 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
FAFSA at studentaid.gov is the gateway to federal financial aid for college including Pell Grants up to $7,395/year, subsidized student loans, and work-study jobs. Complete online for free — the application opens October 1 each year. You will need your Social Security number, tax returns, and bank statements. Completing FAFSA is required for most state grants and institutional scholarships too. Call 1-800-433-3243 for help completing the form. Available in Spanish at studentaid.gov.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Federal Pell Grant provides up to $7,395 per year in free money for low-to-moderate income undergraduate students — it does not need to be repaid. Eligibility is determined through FAFSA based on Expected Family Contribution. Apply at studentaid.gov each year. Pell Grants can be used at most accredited colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools. Women returning to school after time away may qualify based on current income. A critical source of college funding for low-income women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAUW Educational Funding offers competitive fellowships and grants for women pursuing academic degrees and research at aauw.org. Programs include the Career Development Grant for women with bachelor's degrees re-entering the workforce, the American Fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral study, and international fellowships. Awards range from ,000 to $50,000. Application cycles open in August for most programs. Free to apply. AAUW prioritizes women in STEM fields and underrepresented communities.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. International offers multiple scholarship and educational loan programs specifically supporting women in their pursuit of higher education. Programs include the Program for Continuing Education grant, the P.E.O. Scholar Award, and low-interest educational loans. Awards range from
,000 to
2,000. Applications are submitted through local P.E.O. chapter sponsorship. Find a local chapter at peointernational.org to begin the application process. A longstanding women-only philanthropic organization dedicated to educational access.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards provide education grants for women who are the primary financial support for themselves and their dependents, helping them pursue degrees or vocational training. Awards range from
,000 to
0,000. Applications open in August each year at soroptimist.org. Eligibility requires being enrolled or planning to enroll in a vocational or undergraduate program. A powerful resource for single mothers and women supporting families while pursuing their education goals.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation offers scholarships for low-income women age 35 and older who are pursuing technical or vocational training or undergraduate college degrees. Award amounts vary based on available funding. Applications open in fall at rankinfoundation.org. Bring transcript, financial aid award letter, and personal essay. Priority given to women with significant financial need and clear educational goals. A targeted resource for adult women returning to school or starting college later in life.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Patsy Mink Education Foundation provides scholarships and education support for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training. Named for the first woman of color elected to Congress, the foundation prioritizes women with economic barriers to continuing education. Apply at patsyminkfoundation.org — applications typically open in January. Bring proof of enrollment, financial information, and a personal statement. A meaningful resource for mothers seeking to improve their economic futures through education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com is a free national scholarship search engine with millions of scholarship listings for women, minorities, adult learners, and students in all fields of study. Create a free profile to get personalized scholarship matches. Filter by award amount, deadline, and eligibility criteria. Covers everything from local awards to national competitions. Free to use at scholarships.com. A comprehensive starting point for women seeking supplemental funding for college without taking on additional loans.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
College Board BigFuture provides free college planning tools, scholarship search, and SAT preparation resources to help women navigate the college application process. Search thousands of colleges by location, size, major, and cost. Access the scholarship search tool and explore financial aid options at bigfuture.collegeboard.org. The platform also provides guidance on writing college essays and understanding financial aid award letters. Completely free with no registration required to use most features.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy offers free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board, providing personalized study plans, full-length practice tests, and skill-building exercises. Create a free account at khanacademy.org/sat and link your College Board account for a personalized practice plan based on your PSAT or prior test results. Available 24/7 online and through the mobile app. Proven to raise SAT scores — completely free with no paid upgrades. Also offers free practice for LSAT, GMAT, and other standardized tests.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many college & education resources are in Louisiana?
- Women's Corner tracks 18 verified college & education resources for women in Louisiana.
- Are college & education resources in Louisiana free?
- 14 of the 18 listed college & education resources in Louisiana are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Louisiana have college & education resources?
- Listings span cities including Baton Rouge, New Orleans.
- What are some examples of college & education resources in Louisiana?
- Featured entries include Louisiana Board of Regents, Louisiana Community and Technical College System, FAFSA — Federal Student Aid, TOPS — Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, Louisiana State University.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 8 of 18 Louisiana 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.