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.
Missouri circuit courts hear family matters through family court divisions in each of its 45 judicial circuits. The Family Support Division runs child support enforcement under DSS. Kansas City, Saint Louis, Springfield, and Columbia are the largest metros. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Legal Aid of Western Missouri, and the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.
MDHEWD at 205 Jefferson Street in Jefferson City administers Missouri state financial aid including Access Missouri, the A+ Scholarship, and the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant for adult learners. Call 573-751-2361 to ask which Missouri-only programs you qualify for after submitting the FAFSA.
573-751-2361 · 205 Jefferson St, Jefferson City, MO 65101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
A+ provides tuition and fee reimbursement at Missouri public community colleges and select career-technical schools for graduates of A+-designated high schools who maintain a 2.5 GPA and complete 50 hours of tutoring. Apply through your high school A+ coordinator. Call MDHEWD at 573-751-2361 to confirm eligibility.
573-751-2361 · Statewide Program · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The Missouri Community College Association (MCCA) coordinates 12 districts including STLCC, MCC-Kansas City, OTC in Springfield, Moberly Area, Mineral Area, and East Central. In-district tuition typically runs
573-onal-comm · Statewide — 12 Districts · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Missouri AEL, administered by DESE, funds free GED prep, ESL, and adult basic-education classes at 30+ sites statewide. Mothers can find the closest provider through DESE's online directory. Call 573-751-3504 to ask about evening and online options that fit working-mother schedules.
573-751-3504 · Statewide — Multiple Locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
The Mizzou Women's Center on Columbia's flagship campus offers support services, advocacy for student-survivors of sexual violence, lactation rooms for student-mothers, and the Tigers for Survivors peer-support program. Open to all MU students, staff, and faculty. Call 573-882-6621 for hours and current programming.
573-882-6621 · Columbia, MO 65211 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
STLCC operates four campuses — Forest Park, Meramec, Florissant Valley, and Wildwood — plus the William J. Harrison Education Center. Mothers can access the Access Office, Family Resource Center, and the Hardship Fund. Call 314-539-5000 to ask about returning-adult orientation and emergency aid.
314-539-5000 · 300 S Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Stephens College at 1200 E Broadway in Columbia is one of the oldest women's colleges in the United States, founded in 1833. Programs include undergraduate degrees in nursing, equestrian studies, fashion, and education plus coed graduate programs. Call 573-442-2211 about admissions, financial aid, and the Susan Ford Wiltshire Adult Learner program.
573-442-2211 · 1200 E Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
FAFSA at studentaid.gov is the gateway to federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and Missouri state aid programs including Access Missouri. The state aid deadline is February 1 for the following academic year — early filing improves Missouri awards.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Pell Grants of up to $7,395 per year (2024-25) do not need to be repaid and stack with Missouri state grants. Most Missouri mothers attending community college full-time on Pell cover tuition completely. Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA — file early for Missouri's February 1 priority deadline.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAUW awards more than $5 million annually in fellowships and grants for women in graduate school, career-development, and community-action projects. Missouri AAUW branches in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia also offer local scholarships for Missouri women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. has active chapters across Missouri and runs five programs supporting women's education: the Continuing Education program, Educational Loan Fund, International Peace Scholarship, Program for Continuing Education, and Scholar Awards. Missouri women can apply through local P.E.O. chapter sponsorship.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Awards provide
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards scholarships of up to ,000-
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation awards Education Support Awards of up to $5,000 annually to low-income single mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Missouri mothers are eligible; selection considers academic and personal vision, financial need, and civic engagement.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com aggregates millions of scholarships including Missouri-specific awards from organizations like the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, the St. Louis Community Foundation, and Missouri-only employer scholarships. Free to use with a profile.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
BigFuture is the College Board's free college-planning tool with scholarship search, SAT registration, and financial-aid estimators. Useful for Missouri high-schoolers and adult learners considering MU, Mizzou, Missouri State, Truman State, UMKC, and other Show-Me institutions.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy's free Official SAT Practice was built with College Board and is the single best free SAT prep resource available — useful for Missouri students applying to Truman State, Washington University, or Mizzou's selective programs that consider test scores.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website