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.
Rhode Island Family Court is a statewide system handling all divorce, custody, paternity, and child support cases. The Office of Child Support Services operates under DHS. Providence, Warwick, Cranston, and Pawtucket are the largest cities. Rhode Island Legal Services and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services to women.
URI in Kingston is the state flagship with strong nursing, pharmacy, oceanography, and engineering programs. The Women's Center supports nontraditional and returning students; the Office of Financial Aid coordinates Pell, RI Promise (for transfers), and need-based scholarships. Phone 401-874-1000 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Email admission@uri.edu for application help.
401-874-1000 · 45 Upper College Rd, Kingston, RI 02881 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
RIC at 600 Mt Pleasant Avenue in Providence is the state's public teacher and nursing college, with rolling admissions and a strong adult-learner program. The Hope Scholarship covers tuition for eligible RIC juniors and seniors. Phone 401-456-8000 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm; admissions@ric.edu. Many courses offered evenings and online.
401-456-8000 · 600 Mt Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
CCRI's main campus at 400 East Avenue in Warwick (plus Lincoln, Newport, Providence sites) offers associate degrees, transfer pathways, and short-term certificates. The RI Promise scholarship covers tuition for recent high-school graduates pursuing the associate degree full-time. Phone 401-825-1000 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Reentry-friendly.
401-825-1000 · 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
RIOPC at 560 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick administers state-funded scholarships including the RI Promise (CCRI free tuition), the Hope Scholarship (RIC junior/senior tuition), and Crusader/legacy programs. Phone 401-736-1100 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm to ask about eligibility before applying.
401-736-1100 · 560 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI 02886 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
StudentAid.gov is where Rhode Island women apply for federal Pell grants, subsidized loans, and work-study via the annual FAFSA. The form opens October 1 each year; submit early to maximize state aid. Help line 800-433-3243 Mon-Fri. Free — no third-party paid services needed.
800-433-3243 · Online Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
The RI Department of Education's adult education network offers free GED preparation, adult literacy, and English-language classes at sites in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Newport. Phone 401-456-8000 to find your nearest site. Classes mornings, evenings, and Saturdays. Free for RI adults 16+.
401-456-8000 · Providence, RI 02908 · Mon-Fri varies by program · Visit Website
Pell Grants — applied for via the FAFSA at studentaid.gov — provide up to ~$7,400/year (2024-25 figure; check current) to low-income undergraduate women. Pell is need-based with no repayment required. Especially impactful for returning mothers attending CCRI or RIC. Free to apply via FAFSA.
800-433-3243 · Online Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
NEIT at One New England Tech Boulevard in East Greenwich is a private nonprofit offering bachelor's and associate degrees in technical fields — IT, healthcare, automotive, and culinary. Career-focused with year-round start dates. Phone 401-467-7744 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm. Pell-eligible and accepts veteran benefits.
401-467-7744 · One New England Tech Blvd, East Greenwich, RI 02818 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CCRI Workforce Partnerships at the Warwick campus runs short-term, non-credit certificates in healthcare, manufacturing, and IT — often free or low-cost through state grants. Useful for mothers seeking quick credentials without committing to a degree. Phone 401-825-2311 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm for current offerings.
401-825-2311 · 400 East Ave, Warwick, RI 02886 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
StudentAid.gov is the U.S. Department of Education's single portal for the FAFSA, loan repayment, PSLF, and the Income-Driven Repayment plans. Mothers should bookmark it. Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 helps with technical issues. Free.
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AAUW Fellowships and Grants at aauw.org/resources/programs/fellowships-grants/ fund women pursuing graduate degrees, dissertations, and career development. The American Fellowship is the longest-running of its kind. Application cycles open annually. Free to apply.
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P.E.O. at peointernational.org administers six women-specific educational programs including the P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund, Scholar Awards, and the International Peace Scholarship for international women studying in the US. RI chapters in Providence and Warwick can nominate candidates.
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Soroptimist's Live Your Dream Award at soroptimist.org/our-work/live-your-dream-awards provides cash grants to women heads of household pursuing education. Apply through your local club (Newport, Providence) starting each August. Free to apply.
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The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund at rankinfoundation.org awards scholarships specifically to low-income women age 35+ pursuing technical training, an associate degree, or first bachelor's. Selection criteria include financial need and goals. Free to apply.
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The Patsy Mink Foundation at patsyminkfoundation.org awards Education Support Awards to low-income mothers (must have at least one minor child) pursuing post-secondary education. Annual cycle; awards based on personal essay and financial need. Free to apply.
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Scholarships.com is a free national scholarship search engine that lets women filter for women-only, single-mother, minority, and adult-learner awards. Set up alerts for new opportunities matching your profile. Free with account creation.
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BigFuture at bigfuture.collegeboard.org is the College Board's free college-search and scholarship tool. Filter colleges by RI proximity, women-focused programs, transfer-friendliness, and adult-learner support. Includes a free scholarship search drawing
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Khan Academy's official SAT prep at khanacademy.org/sat is built in partnership with the College Board, with personalized practice based on PSAT/SAT scores. Free, no log-in required for most content. Particularly useful for RI mothers returning to school and prepping for placement testing.
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