Bradley County, Ark. (Aug. 15, 2022) — Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, or ASPSF, is now accepting scholarship applications for the Spring 2023 semester at aspsf.org/applynow. The deadline to apply is Oct. 15.
ASPSF awards scholarships up to $1,200 to eligible single parents living in Arkansas who are attending college or obtaining technical training. We assist both part-time and full-time single parent students pursuing postsecondary education, including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and certificate programs. Last year, ASPSF awarded more than 1,400 scholarships totaling $1.4 million across the state.
“ASPSF and their staff have given me a sense of hope and encouragement,” said University of Arkansas at Monticello social work major Samantha Ellis. “They truly believe in me. It makes the world of difference when you have somebody in the stands rooting for you, as ASPSF has done for me. They have also helped me financially with tuition, the cost of books, and supplies needed. All of their help will allow me to build a better future for my children and me.”
Plus, our scholarships are flexible! Single parents can use the discretionary money to pay for the simple things that create the biggest barriers between them and their education, such as child care, gas, car repairs, laptops, utilities, etc.
ASPSF is more than a check! We provide personal support to our recipients, such as workshops — including 168 across the state last year! — and mentoring to help students be job-ready after they obtain their degree. Our staff and supporters walk alongside our recipients, supporting them through school to graduation and into sustainable employment with family-supporting wages.
Eligibility guidelines are available at aspsf.org/eligibility. In addition to being a single parent in Arkansas, criteria include having a GED or high school diploma, a 2.0 GPA, and a household income typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
For more information about ASPSF, please contact Program Manager Kerron Simpson at (870) 498-8650 or ksimpson@aspsf.org.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: For 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.