The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awarded 383 scholarships to single parents for the spring 2023 semester.
Totaling just under $400,000, the scholarships are combined with services, such as mentoring and financial planning. ASPSF's model creates a support system designed to help low-income single parents stay in school, graduate with a degree or certificate, and start a professional career with higher wages, according to a news release.
"This scholarship is going to help get me a little caught up, making it easier for me to focus on my classes so that I am able to get the grades I want my kids to see me get," spring 2023 recipient Stephanie Nazario, a social work major at National Park College, said in the release.
The Hot Springs awards ceremony, which was held March 6, included an electrical safety magical act by Scott Davis, sponsored by Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
Supporters who funded the spring 2023 single-parent scholarships include individuals, churches, small businesses, and various banks and United Way organizations across the state.
In addition, funding is provided in part by Arkansas Community Foundation, Arkansas Division of Higher Education, Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation, Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Conway Corp, Entergy, First Electric Cooperative, Union Pacific, and the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
Single parents are eligible for ASPSF scholarships if their household income is typically not more than 250% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, and have not previously earned a bachelor's degree, among other requirements. "The scholarship aid is flexible for recipients to use to pay for the biggest barriers between them and their education," the release said.
ASPSF's next scholarship application period is April 15 to June 15 for the fall 2023 semester. Scholarship amounts will increase for all eligible full-time and part-time single parents to a maximum of $1,600, up from $1,200.
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund recipient Stephanie Nazario, right, celebrates her spring 2023 scholarship with her daughter. Photo courtesy of ASPSF. - Submitted photo
The Hot Springs awards ceremony included an electrical safety magical act by Scott Davis, left, sponsored by Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. He is shown before the show with ASPSF Program Manager Laura Lee Williard. - Submitted photo