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.
Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of 'custody' and hears cases in district courts. The Child Support Services division runs enforcement statewide. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins anchor the major metros. Colorado Legal Services, Project Safeguard, and the Violence Free Colorado coalition support women across the state.
CDHE on Broadway is the state coordinating board for Colorado's public colleges and administers the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative for low-income students. Mothers returning to school can find COSI partner schools that pair financial aid with wraparound supports.
303-862-3001 · 1600 Broadway Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CCCS includes Front Range, Community College of Denver, Arapahoe, Red Rocks, Pikes Peak, Aims, Pueblo, Otero, Trinidad State, Northeastern, Lamar, Morgan, and Colorado Mountain Community Colleges. Mothers can pursue stackable credentials, transfer to four-year programs, or earn an associate degree at the lowest tuition in the state.
303-620-4000 · Statewide · Varies by campus · Visit Website
FAFSA is the gateway to Pell Grants, federal student loans, and Colorado state aid through the College Opportunity Fund. Filing opens October 1 each year; Colorado mothers should also apply for the state's CASFA if undocumented.
800-433-3243 · Online Application · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Colorado Student Grant is a need-based state grant CDHE distributes through participating Colorado public colleges. Awards are based on financial need calculated from the FAFSA. Mothers attending part-time can still qualify.
303-862-3001 · 1600 Broadway Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CU Boulder's Women and Gender Studies department in Ketchum Hall offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and houses the Center for Inclusion and Social Change supporting first-generation women students. Sister departments operate at CU Denver and UCCS.
303-492-8923 · Ketchum 30, UCB 246, Boulder, CO 80309 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
MSU Denver on the Auraria Campus serves more first-generation, working-adult, and immigrant students than any other Colorado four-year. The Family Friendly Campus initiative provides lactation rooms, family-friendly study spaces, and an on-campus child development center.
303-556-3058 · 890 Auraria Pkwy, Denver, CO 80204 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CDE's Adult Education and Family Literacy office funds free GED preparation, ESL, and family literacy classes through community college and nonprofit providers in every Colorado county. Mothers can earn a high school equivalency without leaving their region.
303-866-6613 · Statewide Locations · Varies by location · Visit Website
Emily Griffith on Lincoln Street has trained Denverites in trades and skilled professions since 1916. Programs include nursing, dental assisting, welding, cosmetology, and apparel design, many completable in under a year. Mothers can pair this with FAFSA aid and CDHS supports.
720-423-4700 · 1860 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
CollegeInColorado is the state's free college and career planning portal where mothers can compare Colorado public colleges, take career assessments, and save FAFSA prep work. Built and maintained by CDHE.
303-866-2723 · Online Service · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Studentaid.gov is the Federal Student Aid main portal where mothers apply for FAFSA, manage loans, and certify income-driven repayment plans. Single mothers should explore Public Service Loan Forgiveness if working in government or nonprofit roles.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Pell Grant maximum is set annually by Congress and is the foundation of need-based aid for low-income mothers attending Colorado colleges. Pell does not need to be repaid and can be used alongside the Colorado Student Grant for a tuition-free package at community colleges.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
AAUW offers fellowships including the Career Development Grant for women age 25+ returning to school in nontraditional fields. The Colorado branches help connect applicants with letters of support and mentorship through the application cycle.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
P.E.O. chapters across Colorado administer the PCE Continuing Education grant, the PSA Scholar Award, and STAR scholarships for high school senior women. Applications go through a local chapter sponsor, so Colorado mothers should look up their nearest chapter.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Live Your Dream Award gives cash grants of up to
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund supports women age 35 and older below 200% of poverty pursuing degrees or vocational training. Applications open each fall; Colorado mothers have been frequent awardees especially in nursing and social work fields.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The Patsy Mink Foundation awards Education Support Awards of $5,000 to low-income mothers with minor children pursuing post-secondary education. Application typically opens each spring and closes mid-summer.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Scholarships.com lets mothers create a free profile and get matched to local and national scholarships. Colorado-specific awards from the Daniels Fund, Boettcher Foundation, and Denver Scholarship Foundation appear in the search results.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
BigFuture connects high school women to college planning, scholarship search, and financial aid resources. Colorado mothers helping daughters apply to college can use BigFuture's Scholarship Search and Net Price Calculator.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Khan Academy's free SAT prep is the official College Board partner, tailored from each student's PSAT results. Colorado high school women and adult learners taking the SAT for admission to CU, CSU, and other selective colleges should use this before paying for prep books.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website