Education Resources
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Foundation Communities offers FREE ESL Classes for Travis County residents. Morning and night classes offered: 9-11 AM and 6:30-8:30 PM. Childcare is available for children ages 6 months and up. Go to the website linked above to sign up for the waitlist.
Locations:
Sierra Vista (Beginner and Intermediate Classes) 4320 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78745
Vintage Creek (Beginner Classes) 7104 Northeast Dr, Austin, TX 78723
Email: ESL@foundcom.org
Phone: (512) 610-4020
Manos holds ESL classes during the academic year for 16-week semesters. During the academic year, 5 levels of English are offered. Academic year classes meet twice weekly. During the summer, 3 levels are offered for an intensive schedule of 4 days a week for 3 hours each class. Individual and small-group tutoring sessions are available; please contact us for more information. In ESL classes, students 18 years of age and up learn practical life skills in English. Note: If you are interested in taking Manos de Cristo courses, please call or text 512-270-1375. You must come to the Manos de Cristo Education office to complete the physical application.
Location: 4911 Harmon Avenue Austin, TX 78751
Phone: (512) 270-1375
General Educational Development (GED)
Provides free resources for GED preparatory classes.
Phone: (877) 389-6874
A public charter school for adults ages 17-50 in Texas! Provides six 7-week sessions in small classes, with ESL services, accessible services, tuition assistance, transportation vouchers, and free childcare available!
Phone: (512) 531-5500
Location: 1015 Norwood Park Blvd., Austin, TX 78753
College/Specializations
Has over 100 programs in 10 areas as associate degrees, university transfer credits and career-technical certificates, including business, education, health sciences, etc.
Phone: (512) 223-7747
Email: startnow@austincc.edu
Capital IDEA's Career Expressway
Career Expressway is a free program where students can earn a free college degree or career certificate, receive wraparound services, and be connected with an employer.
Provides single mothers with a specialized degree, early childhood education to become partners in their children’s education, safe and affordable housing, life skills training, and a supportive community where women can grow their confidence and develop cooperative relationships.
Phone: (512) 770-9036
Email: cevans@jeremiahprogram.org
Location: 1200 Paul Teresa Saldaña Street, Austin, TX 78702
Provides working students with a pathway and the support to graduate from college on-time and with little to no debt. Provides various Associate and bachelor’s degrees.
Phone: (512) 531-5500
Email: info@pelotonu.org
Location: 500 East St. Johns Ave. Suite 1460, Austin, TX 78752
Provides affordable manicurist ($4,900 total), instructor ($5,000), cosmetology ($10,350 total), barber crossover programs. Has financial aid options to help support students.
Phone: Round Rock: (512) 244-2235; Temple: (254) 773-9911
Email: Round Rock: ctbcrr@gmail.com; Temple: temple57@sbcglobal.net
Locations:
Round Rock: 1400 North Mays, Round Rock, TX 78664
Temple: 2010 South 57th Street Temple, TX 76504
Provides affordable manicurist ($4,900 total), esthetician ($9,300 total), student instructor ($12,600 total), and cosmetology ($15,900 total) programs. Has financial aid options to help support students.
Phone:
North Austin: (512) 458-4127; South Austin: (512) 441-6898
Email: info@baldwinbeautyschool.com
Locations:
North Austin: 8400 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757
South Austin: 3005 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704
Financial Aid Support
Foundation Communities: College Hub
Provides free support in navigating the college admissions process, applying for and managing financial aid, overcoming challenges faced while earning a college certificate/degree, and connecting with additional resources at Foundation Communities and in the community.
Phone: (512) 610-4012
Email: collegehub@foundcom.org
Locations:
Community Financial Center – North:
5900 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
(across from ACC Highland)
Community Financial Center – South:
2600 W. Stassney Ln, Austin, TX 78745
(near the corner of Stassney and West Gate)
Austin Pathways (as part of HACA)
Provides renewable scholarships to eligible residents living in HACA’s public housing communities and participants of its Housing Choice Voucher program who are pursuing opportunities in higher education.
Phone: Barbara Jackson: (512) 767-7824
Email: barbaraj@hacanet.org
CERTIFICATION & TRAINING
Provides nurse aid, CPR, medication aide, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, and patient care technology training that strives to train nurturing caregivers dedicated to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial wellbeing of those they will serve.
Phone: (512) 836-3442
Email: contact@nurseaid-training.com
Location:
Central Texas Nurse Network, Inc. 313 E Rundberg #208, Austin, TX 78753
Fosters and supports vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.
Phone: (512) 928-2425
Location: 5524 Bee Cave Rd, Westland Park Bldg M #100 Austin, TX 78746
Provides nurse aid, CPR, medication aide, phlebotomy technician, pharmacy technician, and patient care technology training that strives to train nurturing care givers dedicated to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial wellbeing of those they will serve.
Phone: (512) 323-6773
Location: 8868 Research Blvd, Suite 505, Austin, TX 78758
Provides technology training and computer access to underserved communities in Austin. Has an ACCELERATE Workforce Development Program, Digital Literacy Program, and Specialty Training Programs.
Phone: (512) 236-8225
Location: 2209 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702
WorkForce Solutions Capital Area
Provides eligible citizens of Travis County training in occupations with good earning potential and in growing industries in Travis County, such as auto mechanics, computer support specialists, and nurses.
Phone:
North Career Center: (512) 454-9675
East Career Center: (512) 223-5400
South Career Center: (512) 381-4200
Locations:
North Center: 9001 N IH 35, Suite 110, Austin, TX 78753
East Center: 6506 Burleson Road, Goodwill Bldg, Austin, TX 78744
South Center: 3401 Webberville Rd, Bldg 1000, Austin, TX 78702
Other Resources
Assistance League Austin: Operation School Bell
Provides new school clothing to children in need. Members personally help each child select clothing with the goal of improving school attendance, academic performance, and self-esteem.
Phone: (512) 458-3716
Email: schoolbell@alaustin.org
Location: Assistance League of Austin 4901 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
SCORE Entrepreneur Resource Hubs
The path to small business success is different for every entrepreneur. For some, access to small business funding and key resources is challenging. For others, increasing business knowledge is the key to success. Whatever the needs, SCORE offers free mentoring, education, and resources to make the path to success easier and more direct.
We've developed these resource hubs to speak to the needs of different entrepreneurs. If you don't see the specific resources you need, we encourage you to connect with a mentor who can provide personalized expertise based on your unique needs and challenges.
Digital Literacy Training Toolkit
Online toolkit includes seven modules containing lesson plans, workbooks, activity worksheets, and resources. Each module takes two to four hours to complete, and is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
If you are new to computers, haven't used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, we have the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.