Best College & Education in Oregon — 16 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 Oregon

Oregon circuit courts handle family law in each of its 27 judicial districts. The Division of Child Support operates under the Department of Justice. Portland, Salem, Eugene, Gresham, and Hillsboro are the largest metros. Legal Aid Services of Oregon and the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

16 Resources

1. Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission — Free

State financial aid, scholarships, and educational programs for women in Salem. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

503-378-5690 · 3225 25th St SE, Salem, OR 97302 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Oregon Community Colleges

17 affordable community colleges offering career training and associate degrees for women returning to or starting college across Oregon. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Varies by campus.

503-378-8648 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website

3. FAFSA — Federal Student Aid — Free

Free Application for Federal Student Aid for grants, loans, and work-study for women returning to or starting college in Oregon. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Available online 24/7.

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

4. University of Oregon — Women's and Gender Studies

Academic programs in women's studies at the state flagship in Eugene. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

541-346-5529 · 1585 E 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97403 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Portland State University — Women's Resource Center — Free

Support services and advocacy for women students at PSU in Portland. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

503-725-5672 · 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Oregon State University — Women's Programs

Support services and women's leadership programs at OSU in Oregon. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Application deadlines and eligibility vary; check the website or call for current information. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

541-737-1000 · Corvallis, OR 97331 · 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 for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at studentaid.gov with no registration required.

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 for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at studentaid.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

American Association of University Women advances equity through education, advocacy, and research. Women can join a local branch, apply for fellowships, and access free salary negotiation training at aauw.org.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

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

Multiple scholarship and loan programs supporting women pursuing higher education. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at peointernational.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

Global volunteer organization of business and professional women that improves lives of women and girls through Live Your Dream Awards and local service projects.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free

Scholarships for low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical/vocational training or undergraduate degrees. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at rankinfoundation.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

Education support and scholarships for low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at patsyminkfoundation.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Scholarships.com — Free

Free national scholarship search engine with millions of scholarships for women, minorities, and adult learners. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at scholarships.com with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. College Board — BigFuture — Free

Free college planning, scholarship search, and SAT prep from the College Board for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at bigfuture.collegeboard.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Free official SAT practice in partnership with the College Board for women returning to or starting college. Services include financial aid guidance, scholarships, tutoring, and reentry advising. Available online 24/7 at khanacademy.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in Oregon?
Women's Corner tracks 16 college & education resources for women in Oregon.
Are college & education resources in Oregon free?
13 of the 16 listed college & education resources in Oregon are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Oregon have college & education resources?
Listings span cities including Salem, Eugene, Portland, Corvallis.
What are some examples of college & education resources in Oregon?
Featured entries include Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Oregon Community Colleges, FAFSA — Federal Student Aid, University of Oregon — Women's and Gender Studies, Portland State University — Women's Resource Center.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 16 Oregon 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.