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 24 scholarships totaling $ 33,800 to single parents in Jefferson County, including Herman McMurray III, an engineering major at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff who wants to eventually own his own engineering firm or construction company.
“My goal is to become a highly skilled engineer who excels in both technical knowledge and practical application,” he said. “I want to work on innovative projects that improve infrastructure and benefit communities. Ultimately, I want to give back to my community by creating job opportunities and mentoring young people interested in the trades.”
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.
