Best College & Education in California — 15 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 California

California handles custody in superior courts across all 58 counties, with the Department of Child Support Services running enforcement through local child support agencies (LCSAs). Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento are the major metros. LAFLA, Bay Area Legal Aid, the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, and Planned Parenthood affiliates serve women statewide.

15 Resources

1. California Student Aid Commission (Cal Grant) — Free

CSAC at PO Box 419026 in Rancho Cordova administers Cal Grants A, B, and C, the Middle Class Scholarship, the Chafee Foster Youth grant, and the Student Loan Forgiveness program for public service. Mothers returning to school file the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by March 2 and also submit a verified GPA from their school. Cal Grant B supplements Pell Grants with a

,648 access award for low-income freshmen.

(888) 224-7268 · PO Box 419026, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. FAFSA — California — Free

The federal FAFSA at studentaid.gov is the entry point for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and federal work-study, and California uses the same application to determine Cal Grant eligibility. Undocumented students file the CA Dream Act Application instead. California's priority deadline is March 2 for Cal Grant consideration. Mothers can call (800) 433-3243 or use the federal financial aid help center for application assistance.

(800) 433-3243 · Online application · 24/7 online · Visit Website

3. California Community Colleges

California's 116-college community college system is the largest in the country, serving 2 million students. The California College Promise Grant (formerly the BOG waiver) eliminates enrollment fees for low-income California residents, and the California College Promise covers two years tuition-free for first-time full-time students. Mothers can find CalWORKs and EOPS programs at every college offering childcare, transportation, books, and counseling.

(916) 322-4005 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. University of California System

UC's 10 campuses (Berkeley, UCLA, Davis, San Diego, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Riverside, Merced, plus UCSF for grad/health programs) collectively enroll 290,000 students. The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers tuition for California families earning under $80,000 annually. Mothers returning to UC can access the Re-entry Student Centers at each campus, which provide childcare referrals, peer mentorship, and academic counseling.

(510) 987-9074 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. California State University System

The CSU's 23 campuses enroll 460,000 students with the lowest tuition among the major US public university systems. Programs flexible for working mothers include CSUDH's online programs, Cal State LA's Pan-African Studies night classes, and Sonoma State's child development cohorts. The State University Grant covers tuition for low-income California residents, supplementing Cal Grant and Pell.

(562) 951-4000 · Statewide system · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. FAFSA — studentaid.gov — Free

Studentaid.gov is the federal Department of Education portal where California mothers create an FSA ID, file the FAFSA, manage federal student loans, and apply for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The site also processes income-driven repayment recertification annually—critical for mothers whose income fluctuates. SAVE Plan and PAYE applications happen here. Free, no third-party fees ever required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

7. Federal Pell Grant — Free

The federal Pell Grant awards up to $7,395 per year (2024-25) to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need; it doesn't require repayment. Most California community college students with FAFSA-determined EFC under the threshold qualify. Pell stacks with Cal Grant and California College Promise, so many low-income California mothers attend community college tuition-free with leftover Pell funds covering books, transportation, and childcare.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. AAUW Educational Funding — Free

AAUW awards roughly $6 million in fellowships and grants annually to women pursuing graduate studies, post-doctoral research, and career re-entry. Career Development Grants specifically support women returning to school for a second bachelor's, master's, or professional degree—a frequent California profile for mothers re-entering the workforce. International Fellowships fund women studying in California from abroad. Application cycles open August-November.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

,000), PSA (need-based scholarships), the IPS (international peace scholarship), STAR (high school senior scholarship), and the EL (educational loan fund at 2% interest). California P.E.O. chapters nominate local recipients before forwarding to the international competition. Especially valuable for mid-career California mothers pursuing a new credential.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards — Free

The Live Your Dream Awards give cash grants (

,000 federation level to
6,000 global level) to women who are heads of household and pursuing education or vocational training to support themselves and their families. Applications open August through November annually; California Soroptimist clubs in nearly every city select local recipients. Funds can be used for tuition, transportation, childcare, books, or any educational expense.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Jeannette Rankin Foundation — Free

The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund awards ,000-,000 grants to low-income women age 35+ pursuing vocational training or undergraduate degrees—a niche underserved by mainstream financial aid. California mothers returning to school later in life are strong candidates. Applications open February through March each year; selection emphasizes determination and life goals as much as academic achievement.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Patsy Mink Education Foundation — Free

Patsy T. Mink Education Foundation grants the Education Support Award ($5,000) to low-income mothers pursuing post-secondary education. Named after the first woman of color in Congress and Title IX's primary author, the foundation prioritizes mothers from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds. Funds can cover tuition, books, transportation, childcare, or any education-supporting expense. California mothers regularly receive awards.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Scholarships.com — Free

Scholarships.com indexes 3.7 million scholarships worth

9 billion, searchable by demographics including women, single mothers, returning adults, and California residency. Free to use—account creation is optional. Mothers should beware paid scholarship-search services advertised elsewhere; Scholarships.com's free model is funded by ads and college lead-generation, not by users.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. College Board — BigFuture — Free

BigFuture is the College Board's free college planning, scholarship search, and SAT prep platform. California mothers helping a child plan for college can compare UC, CSU, and California community college admissions data, use the net-price calculators, and search the BigFuture Scholarships ($500-$40,000) that don't require essays or GPA minimums—just account creation and basic profile completion.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Khan Academy — Free SAT Prep — Free

Khan Academy's Official SAT Practice was built in partnership with the College Board and is the only SAT prep program the College Board has ever endorsed. Adaptive practice, full-length tests, and personalized study plans are all free. Useful for California mothers preparing for the SAT or supporting a high school student preparing—California CSU and many UC campuses still accept SAT scores optionally, and other states require them.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many college & education resources are in California?
Women's Corner tracks 15 college & education resources for women in California.
Are college & education resources in California free?
12 of the 15 listed college & education resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in California have college & education resources?
Listings span cities including Rancho Cordova.
What are some examples of college & education resources in California?
Featured entries include California Student Aid Commission (Cal Grant), FAFSA — California, California Community Colleges, University of California System, California State University System.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 15 California 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.