LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Jan. 5, 2025) — Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is now accepting scholarship applications for the Spring 2026 semester.
Single mothers and fathers who are seeking financial support for higher education can apply at aspsf.org/scholarships. The deadline is Feb. 1. Recipients must be pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or professional certificate.
Scholarship awards range from $400 to $1,600, depending on enrolled credit hours. Funds are sent directly to recipients so they can pay for essential needs such as rent, child care, gas, utilities, and school-related expenses.
ASPSF is committed to providing college scholarships for single parents and supporting educational pathways that lead to stable, family-supporting careers. In 2025, ASPSF awarded 56 scholarships totaling $75,200 to single parents in Scott County, including Jordan Ross who is studying Applied Science Health Information Management at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark.
“I am trying to earn my degree without having to take out student loans and taking money away from my family,” she said. “I plan to find a job before graduation to jump start my career in Medical Billing/Coding. This will help ensure my success in this job field and to provide for my family.”
In Scott County, ASPSF awarded six scholarships totaling $8,000 to single parent students like Julissa Mejia. She is attending the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
“When I complete my degree in criminal justice, I plan to pursue a career as a crime scene investigator or in a related field within law enforcement,” she said. “I want to build a successful career and show my daughter that with effort and dedication, anything is possible.”
Statewide, ASPSF awarded over 1,300 scholarships totaling $1.9 million across 69 Arkansas counties and Bowie County, Texas — an increase from the 832 scholarships totaling $1.2 million awarded in 2024. These single parent scholarship awards are possible thanks to generous donors, organizations, schools, businesses, and foundations that believe in the transformative power of education.
In addition to financial awards, ASPSF provides a support network designed to help student parents stay on track. Staff and volunteers offer mentoring, career guidance, and workshops that build academic confidence and promote long-term success.
To qualify, applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED but have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree. Students must be enrolled in at least one three-credit course — online or in person — maintain a 2.0 GPA, meet income guidelines, and actively engage with the program through regular communication and workshop participation.
A complete list of eligibility requirements and details about scholarship cycles is available at aspsf.org/scholarships. ASPSF accepts applications three times a year: spring, summer, and fall. For more information, contact Jen Lawrence at [email protected] or 501.550.6304.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: Statewide nonprofit Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is dedicated to ending single parent poverty through higher education. Since 1990, ASPSF has awarded more than $50 million in scholarships and provided services that empower single parents to complete their education and pursue higher-paying careers. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. Learn more at aspsf.org.
