How many college & education resources are in Tennessee?

Women's Corner tracks 17 college & education resources for women in Tennessee.

Are college & education resources in Tennessee free?

11 of the 17 listed college & education resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Tennessee have college & education resources?

Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson.

What are some examples of college & education resources in Tennessee?

Featured entries include Tennessee Promise, Nashville State Community College - Women's Resources, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Pellissippi State Community College - Women's Center, Chattanooga State Community College - Adult Programs.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

7 of 17 Tennessee 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.

GED classes are free at adult education centers, community colleges, libraries, and online through GED.com and Khan Academy. The exam costs $36–$144 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.

Best College & Education in Tennessee — 17 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 Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Memphis Area Legal Services, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.

17 Resources

1. Tennessee Promise — Free

Free community and technical college tuition for Tennessee students including adult women. 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-4:30pm.

615-741-1346 · 312 Rosa L Parks Ave, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Nashville State Community College - Women's Resources

Academic programs, financial aid, and support services for women students in Nashville. 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.

615-353-3333 · 120 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Southwest Tennessee Community College

Affordable degree programs and career training for women in the Memphis area. 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.

901-333-5000 · 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Pellissippi State Community College - Women's Center

Academic support and career guidance for women students in Knoxville. 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.

865-694-6400 · 10915 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37933 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Chattanooga State Community College - Adult Programs

Continuing education and degree completion programs for women returning to or starting college in Chattanooga. 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.

423-697-4400 · 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Nashville

Hands-on career training in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades for women returning to or starting college in Nashville. 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-4pm.

615-425-5500 · 100 White Bridge Rd, Nashville, TN 37209 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

7. Jackson State Community College - Women's Resources

Affordable education and career training for women returning to or starting college in Jackson. 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-4:30pm.

731-424-3520 · 2046 N Parkway, Jackson, TN 38301 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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 Tennessee?: Women's Corner tracks 17 college & education resources for women in Tennessee.
Are college & education resources in Tennessee free?: 11 of the 17 listed college & education resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Tennessee have college & education resources?: Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jackson.
What are some examples of college & education resources in Tennessee?: Featured entries include Tennessee Promise, Nashville State Community College - Women's Resources, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Pellissippi State Community College - Women's Center, Chattanooga State Community College - Adult Programs.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 7 of 17 Tennessee 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