Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship: Eligibility and How to Apply
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) provides financial assistance and personal support to single-parent students across the state of Arkansas and Bowie County, Texas. The scholarship aims to help single parents pursue education beyond high school, including those enrolled in skilled trade programs, ultimately improving their income-earning potential and raising their families' standard of living.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for an ASPSF scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria related to residency, marital status, parenting status, living situation, educational attainment, and income.
Residency
Applicants must reside in the state of Arkansas or Bowie County, Texas. However, residents of Benton, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Polk, Sevier, Washington, or White Counties may have different criteria.
Marital Status
Applicants must be single, which includes never married, widowed, divorced, or legally separated individuals. Those who are married but living apart and whose divorce will be final by the time the scholarship is awarded are also eligible.
Parenting Status
Applicants must be the custodial parent or guardian with physical custody (50 percent or more) of at least one dependent child. A dependent child is defined as someone who is 18 or younger, older than 18 and still in high school, or a severely disabled adult living with and dependent on the applicant.
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Living Status
Applicants must be the only adult in the home with the child(ren), live with parents or relative(s), or live with a roommate who is not their partner, significant other, or a co-parent.
Educational Attainment
Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or GED and have not previously earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must be enrolled in at least one three-hour class online or in-person.
Income
The applicant's household income is typically not more than 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
How to Apply
Applying for an ASPSF scholarship is done online during the application period. The application process involves completing an online form and submitting supporting documentation.
Application Periods
ASPSF accepts scholarship applications three times a year:
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- Spring: Application cycle opens January 15 and the deadline is March 15.
- Summer: Application cycle opens April 15 and the deadline is June 15.
- Fall: Application cycle opens August 15 and the deadline is October 15.
Single parents enrolling in school for the Fall 2025 semester can apply for a scholarship beginning Aug 1. New students may apply for a Fall 2025 scholarship between Aug. 1-Sept. To apply, single parents can go to aspsf.org/applynow or aspsf.org/apply and fill out an online form with supporting documentation.
Required Documents
In addition to the online application, interested students must submit proof of income and proof of marital status.
For new students, the following documents are required:
- Proof of Enrollment: Obtained from your institution's registrar office.
- Current Official College Transcript: Obtained from your institution's registrar office after final semester grades have posted.
- Proof of Dependents and Income: Submit a copy of the first page of your most recent federal tax return listing dependents and income.
- Personal References: Obtained from individuals not related to you, familiar with your life experiences and character. Must be signed and include complete contact information.
- Personal Essay, signed: Introduce yourself and your family. Explain why you chose this course of study and your aspirations. Feel free to include any information helpful to the Selection Committee. Minimum 1-page, double-spaced.
- Copy of your valid (unexpired) Photo ID: Mandatory for all first-time applicants. International students must submit a green card indicating legal residency status and expiration date.
For returning students, the following documents are required:
- Proof of Enrollment: Obtained from your institution's registrar office.
- Current Official College Transcript: Obtained from your institution's registrar office after final semester grades have posted.
- Proof of Dependents and Income: Submit a copy of the first page of your most recent federal tax return listing dependents and income.
Scholarship Details
ASPSF scholarships offer numerous awards that vary in amount. Both new students and current ASPSF recipients can apply for a scholarship up to $1,600. If awarded, single parents directly receive the financial aid. They can use it to pay for daily household expenses - like child care, groceries, and gas - while going to school.
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The Scholars Fund provides supplemental financial assistance to single parents pursuing a course of instruction with the goal of completing their own education to improve their income-earning potential. Funds can be used for essential expenses such as books, tuition, childcare, utility bills, and car maintenance. These funds are made possible through generous private and corporate donations. Financial assistance is awarded during the fall and spring terms and may be renewed in subsequent semesters.
ASPSF scholarships are made to be flexible, giving recipients discretionary money to use as they see fit to pay for simple things that create the biggest barriers between them and their education. This can include things like childcare, gas, car repairs, rent, and utilities.
ASPSF supports both full-time and part-time single-parent students pursuing an associate's degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate program. They also support any eligible single-parent student pursuing education beyond high school, including those enrolled in skilled trade programs.
Additional Support
Along with the scholarship, ASPSF staff and volunteers provide mentoring, career coaching, and workshops to help recipients balance school, work, and parenting.
The Impact of ASPSF
Investing in education enables single parents to raise the standard of living for their families. When children see their parents studying and working hard, investing in themselves, they learn to value themselves and begin to see their own college education within reach.
ASPSF was formed in 1990 based on a grassroots effort started in 1984 in Northwest Arkansas to provide financial assistance and personal support to low-income single parents. The organization aims to remove barriers to success for single parents, envisioning a holistic approach that includes mentoring, developmental workshops, and career coaching. These early efforts were immediately successful at helping single parents return to school, which in turn opened doors to better employment at living wages.
Contact Information
Questions or comments on this scholarship profile? Create your Scholarships360 account to confirm your eligibility for the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.
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