Arkansas Fund Awards $1.87M to Single Parent Students

Going back to school as a single parent means choosing between paying rent and buying textbooks, between groceries and gas money. An Arkansas nonprofit is making sure single moms and dads don't have to make that choice anymore.

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is accepting applications through September 1 for single parents enrolling at Arkansas Tech University this fall. Unlike traditional scholarships that only cover tuition, this money goes directly to students to pay for whatever they need most: child care, rent, gas, or groceries.

Last year, the fund awarded almost 1,400 scholarships totaling $1.87 million. That's real money helping real parents build better futures for their families.

The program works for parents pursuing everything from skilled trade certificates to bachelor's degrees. The only requirements are a high school diploma or GED, no prior bachelor's degree, and enrollment in at least one three-hour class. Students need to maintain a 2.0 GPA and earn low to medium income.

But the program offers more than just money. Recipients get matched with mentors, career coaches, and workshops designed to help them juggle school, work, and parenting. Program managers stay in regular contact with scholarship winners to provide support throughout their educational journey.

The Ripple Effect

When a single parent earns a degree, the benefits extend far beyond one person. Their children see education modeled as a path to stability. They're statistically more likely to pursue higher education themselves. One scholarship doesn't just change one life, it changes a family's entire trajectory.

The program accepts both new applicants and current recipients who want to continue their education. Funding comes from donors, businesses, schools, and foundations that believe in giving single parents a real shot at careers with family-supporting wages.

Applications and more information are available at aspsf.org/scholarships.