2,570 per year to eligible CA residents attending California colleges. Cal Grant A and B for 4-year universities; Cal Grant C for vocational training programs. File FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2 deadline each year. GPA verification required through your high school or college. Call (888) 224-7268 or email studentsupport@csac.ca.gov for help.
(888) 224-7268 · P.O. Box 419026, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
California EDD administers the Employment Training Panel (ETP) which funds job training through employers and training agencies statewide. Also administers CalJOBS for career assessments, job matching, and training program enrollment. America's Job Centers across California provide free workforce training referrals. Call (916) 654-8210 or visit edd.ca.gov/jobs_and_training for information and to find your nearest center.
(916) 654-8210 · 800 Capitol Mall, MIC 83, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
California's DVBE Program gives service-disabled veteran-owned businesses a 3% price preference in state contracting. Certified DVBEs are also eligible for set-aside contracts and are listed in the state's procurement database. Certification is free through DGS. Call (916) 375-4940 or email osbcert@dgs.ca.gov to apply. Helps veteran fathers build businesses and access California's multi-billion dollar state procurement system.
(916) 375-4940 · 707 Third St., West Sacramento, CA 95605 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
California's official 529 college savings plan administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board. Tax-deferred investment growth with no California state income tax on earnings. No income limits to participate. Contributions are not deductible on CA state taxes but grow federal tax-free when used for education. Call (800) 544-5248 or visit scholarshare529.com to open an account. Minimum 5 to start.
(800) 544-5248 · 915 Capitol Mall, Suite 590, Sacramento, CA 95814 · Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET · Visit Website
Veterans and eligible dependents can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Ch. 33) or Montgomery GI Bill (Ch. 30) at California's 200+ VA-approved schools. Post-9/11 covers full tuition at public CA schools plus a monthly housing allowance and annual book stipend. Apply at va.gov/education or call 1-888-442-4551. Cal Vet College Fee Waiver also provides additional state support for qualifying veterans' dependents.
1-888-442-4551 · Mon-Fri 8am-7pm ET · Visit Website
State-funded adult education through community colleges and school districts providing free basic skills, English as a Second Language, citizenship preparation, career technical education, and GED/HiSET test prep. 70+ adult education consortia statewide. Classes are free or very low cost for California residents. Call (916) 322-6716 or visit caladulted.org to find your nearest adult education program.
(916) 322-6716 · 1102 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95811 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
Undocumented California students who meet AB 540 criteria may apply for state financial aid through the CA Dream Act including Cal Grants and community college fee waivers. Apply using the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), which is separate from FAFSA, at dream.csac.ca.gov by the March 2 deadline. Call (888) 224-7268 for guidance. Email studentsupport@csac.ca.gov with questions about eligibility.
(888) 224-7268 · P.O. Box 419026, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
First-year free tuition at many California community colleges for qualifying new full-time students. Also known as College Promise. Check your local community college for specific eligibility requirements, as each campus sets its own criteria. Visit cccco.edu for a list of participating colleges. A valuable opportunity for fathers returning to school or enrolling for the first time to access affordable higher education.
Apply through your CCC · Visit Website
23-campus California State University system offering bachelor's and master's degrees statewide. Affordable tuition with financial aid, Cal Grants, and Board of Governors fee waivers available. Call (562) 951-4000 or visit calstate.edu to explore campuses and programs. Campuses range from San Diego to Chico. A practical option for working fathers seeking a degree without the cost of private universities or UC system schools.
(562) 951-4000 · 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
World-class 10-campus University of California public research university system. Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers full tuition for California families earning under $80,000 per year. Apply via the UC Application at universityofcalifornia.edu. Call (510) 987-9074 for general information. Campuses include UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Davis, and more. Graduate and professional degree programs also available.
(510) 987-9074 · 1111 Franklin St., Oakland, CA 94607 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
Earn while you learn through California state-registered apprenticeship programs in construction, healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing. Paid on-the-job training combined with classroom instruction leads to a journeyman certificate. Call (415) 703-4920 or visit dir.ca.gov/das for a list of active apprenticeship programs. Income starts from day one. Ideal for fathers seeking a trade career with strong long-term earning potential.
(415) 703-4920 · 455 Golden Gate Ave., 9th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102 · Mon-Fri 8-5 · Visit Website
100% free online courses in math, science, computing, economics, and test prep including SAT, GED, and LSAT. Self-paced with practice exercises and immediate feedback. No registration required for most content. Visit khanacademy.org 24/7 from any device. Covers K-12 through college-level subjects. A valuable resource for fathers helping children with homework, preparing for a GED, or brushing up on skills for career advancement.
Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many college & education resources are in California?
- Men's Corner tracks 14 college & education resources for men and fathers in California.
- Are college & education resources in California free?
- 10 of the 14 listed college & education resources in California are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in California have college & education resources?
- Listings span cities including Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, West Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, San Francisco.
- What are some examples of college & education resources in California?
- Featured entries include California Community Colleges, FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid, Cal Grant — California Student Aid Commission, EDD — Employment Training Panel (ETP) & Workforce Training, DVBE — Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 12 of 14 California college & education listings include phone numbers.
- What do I do first if I want to go back to school?
- Fill out the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. It's free and takes about 30 minutes. Results determine eligibility for Pell Grants (up to ~$7,000/year), Direct Loans, and state grants. Apply even if you think you won't qualify — results often surprise.
- Is there childcare on college campuses?
- Many community colleges and some universities operate on-campus childcare, often subsidized through the CCAMPIS federal grant for low-income student parents. Financial aid can sometimes cover childcare as a cost of attendance.
- Can I get a GED online?
- Yes. The official GED test is offered online (with in-home proctoring) and at testing centers. HiSET (used in some states instead of GED) is similar. Free prep through state adult education providers and through Khan Academy's free GED prep.
- What is WIOA training?
- The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds short-term training for eligible adults, often up to
0,000 or more for in-demand occupations. Apply through your local American Job Center. Programs cover CDL, welding, nursing, IT, HVAC, and many others.