14 verified resources.
About College & Education for Fathers
Education resources for fathers include financial aid, adult education, workforce training, and college programs with on-site childcare. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the gateway to Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and state aid. Pell Grants provide up to approximately $7,000 per year to low-income students and don't require repayment. GED and HiSET programs operate in every state through adult education providers, often free. Community colleges offer lower-cost two-year degrees and certificate programs in high-demand trades. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds training for eligible adults and dislocated workers. For fathers returning to school, on-campus childcare (often subsidized through the CCAMPIS grant), emergency aid funds, and single-parent scholarships make enrollment feasible. This directory covers state FAFSA offices, community colleges, adult education programs, and single-dad scholarships.
14 Resources
1. Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) — Free
State agency overseeing higher education and administering financial aid, including the 21st Century Scholarship, Frank O'Bannon Grant, and the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship. Dads and their kids can research state aid, eligibility rules, and participating Indiana colleges on the CHE website or by calling the Indianapolis office. State aid generally requires completing the FAFSA by the April 15 state deadline each year.
317-464-4400 · 101 W Ohio St, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
2. Federal Student Aid / FAFSA — Free
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) unlocks Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study, and Indiana state grants for eligible students. Dads helping their kids apply, or pursuing school themselves, can complete the FAFSA free at studentaid.gov. Have Social Security numbers, federal tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, and untaxed income records ready. Indiana state deadline is April 15 each year.
1-800-433-3243 · Online resource · Phone Mon-Fri 8am-11pm ET; online 24/7 · Visit Website
3. Federal Pell Grant Program — Free
Largest federal grant for undergraduate students with financial need. Maximum award up to $7,395 per year with no repayment required. Dads returning to school, or helping their kids apply, can qualify based on financial need from the FAFSA. Most Indiana colleges and universities participate. Apply via FAFSA at studentaid.gov; no separate Pell application is needed. Awards are paid through the school's financial aid office.
1-800-433-3243 · Apply via FAFSA · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
4. Ivy Tech Community College — Paid
Indiana's statewide community college with 19 campuses offering affordable associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training with flexible scheduling, including evening, weekend, and online options. Dads balancing work and family can earn credentials in healthcare, IT, trades, business, and transfer programs. Apply online and complete the FAFSA. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript or GED, and any prior college transcripts to enrollment.
888-489-5463 · 19 campuses across Indiana · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
5. Vincennes University — Paid
Indiana's oldest university, offering affordable two-year associate degrees, select bachelor's programs, certificates, and workforce training at campuses in Vincennes and Jasper plus online options. Dads returning to school can apply online and complete the FAFSA for aid eligibility. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript or GED, and any prior college transcripts to enrollment. Tuition is among the lowest in Indiana public higher ed.
812-888-8888 · 1002 N 1st St, Vincennes, IN 47591 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
6. Indiana Career Connect — Free
State career portal connecting job seekers with employers, training programs, education opportunities, and labor market information. Dads can build a resume, search jobs by ZIP code and industry, research in-demand careers and wages, and find WIOA-funded training programs. Free to use; create an account at indianacareerconnect.com. Pair with a visit to a local WorkOne center for one-on-one career counseling and training funds.
Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
7. Indiana University (Bloomington) — Paid
Indiana's flagship public university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs with extensive financial aid and scholarships. Dads pursuing school themselves, or helping their kids apply, can research programs, scholarships, and need-based aid on the IU website. Apply online and complete the FAFSA by the Indiana April 15 state deadline. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript, and test scores (if required) to enrollment.
812-855-4848 · 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN 47405 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
8. Purdue University (West Lafayette) — Paid
Major public research university offering affordable tuition with frozen rates for Indiana residents since 2012. Strong engineering, agriculture, computer science, and technology programs. Dads pursuing school themselves, or helping their kids apply, can research programs and aid at purdue.edu. Apply online and complete the FAFSA by the April 15 state deadline. Bring photo ID, high school transcript, and test scores (if required) to enrollment.
765-494-4600 · 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN 47907 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
9. Indiana State University (Terre Haute) — Paid
Affordable public university offering over 100 undergraduate programs and graduate degrees with strong education, nursing, aviation, and business departments. Dads pursuing school or helping their kids apply can research programs and aid at indstate.edu. Apply online and complete the FAFSA by the Indiana April 15 state deadline. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript or GED, and test scores (if required) to enrollment.
812-237-6311 · 200 N 7th St, Terre Haute, IN 47809 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
10. Ball State University (Muncie) — Paid
Public university in east-central Indiana offering 120+ undergraduate and 140+ graduate programs with affordable tuition, including strong education, architecture, and journalism programs. Dads pursuing school or helping their kids apply can research programs and aid at bsu.edu. Apply online and complete the FAFSA by April 15 for state aid. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript or GED, and any prior college transcripts to enrollment.
765-289-1241 · 2000 W University Ave, Muncie, IN 47306 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
11. IUPUI (Indianapolis) — Paid
Indiana's urban research university combining Indiana University and Purdue programs in downtown Indianapolis, with flexible scheduling and online options ideal for working adults and commuters. Dads can research programs and aid at iupui.edu. Apply online and complete the FAFSA by the April 15 state deadline. Bring a photo ID, high school transcript or GED, and any prior college transcripts to enrollment appointments.
317-274-5555 · 420 University Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
12. Indiana Frank O'Bannon Grant — Free
State need-based grant for Indiana college students attending approved public or private Indiana institutions. Awards up to
0,992 per year for full-time students, with no repayment required. Dads or their kids apply automatically via the FAFSA (no separate application needed) and must be Indiana residents. The Indiana state deadline to submit FAFSA is April 15 each year. Contact the college's financial aid office to confirm eligibility.
317-464-4400 · Apply via FAFSA · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
13. Purdue University Global (Online) — Paid
Purdue's fully online university designed for working adults, offering flexible bachelor's and master's programs with generous credit for prior learning and life experience. Dads balancing work and family can study on their own schedule. Apply online and complete the FAFSA for federal aid. Bring scanned copies of high school transcripts or GED and any prior college transcripts to enrollment. Tuition is competitive with other online institutions.
844-787-3838 · Online · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
14. GI Bill Benefits - Indiana — Free
Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, fees, housing stipend, and books at Indiana colleges and universities for eligible veterans and their dependents. Dads who are veterans, or who have transferred benefits to their children, can apply online at VA.gov. Have DD-214, service documentation, and the school's information ready. Many Indiana schools have certifying officials who help veterans submit paperwork and answer questions about benefits.
1-888-442-4551 · Apply online at VA.gov · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
College & Education — Common Questions
- 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.