1. NC State Education Assistance Authority — Free
State financial aid and scholarship programs.
(919) 549-8614 · PO Box 14103, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Best College & Education in North Carolina — 16 verified 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 North Carolina
North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina and the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV) serve women statewide.
16 Resources
2. FAFSA — North Carolina — Free
Federal student aid application.
(800) 433-3243 · Online application · 24/7 online · Visit Website
3. NC Community College System
58 community colleges with affordable programs.
(919) 807-7100 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
4. UNC System
17-campus public university system.
(919) 962-1000 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
5. Bennett College — Greensboro
Historically Black women's college.
(336) 273-4431 · 900 E Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
6. Meredith College — Raleigh
Women's college with undergraduate and graduate programs.
(919) 760-8600 · 3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
7. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Apply for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
8. Federal Pell Grant — Free
Need-based grant of up to $7,395/year for undergraduate students. Does not need to be repaid.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. AAUW Educational Funding — Free
American Association of University Women — fellowships and grants for women pursuing degrees.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. P.E.O. International — Women's Education — Free
Multiple scholarship and loan programs supporting women pursuing higher education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free
Education grants for women who are primary financial support for their families and pursuing education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free
Scholarships for low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical/vocational training or undergraduate degrees.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free
Education support and scholarships for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. Scholarships.com — Free
Free national scholarship search engine with millions of scholarships for women, minorities, and adult learners.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
15. College Board — BigFuture — Free
Free college planning, scholarship search, and SAT prep from the College Board.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
16. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free
Free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many college & education resources are in North Carolina?
- Women's Corner tracks 16 verified college & education resources for women in North Carolina.
- Are college & education resources in North Carolina free?
- 12 of the 16 listed college & education resources in North Carolina are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in North Carolina have college & education resources?
- Listings span cities including Research Triangle Park, Greensboro, Raleigh.
- What are some examples of college & education resources in North Carolina?
- Featured entries include NC State Education Assistance Authority, FAFSA — North Carolina, NC Community College System, UNC System, Bennett College — Greensboro.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 6 of 16 North Carolina 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