Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund

I was overwhelmed when I was introduced to ASPSF, the work they do to help Single Parents needs more recognition. This group is professional, caring, dedicated and simply looking to make a difference in the lives of parents looking to better themselves and need some help. I am blessed to have been touched by them.

As a volunteer, I watched so many single parents achieve success at obtaining an education using the financial support and mentoring offered by this organization. One family in particular was a mom with three boys. Those boys all proclaimed they were going to college like Mom.

I received the Single Parent Scholarship when I went to college in my mid 40's. The scholarship and support I received made it possible to finish my degree. This organization is OUTSTANDING!!

Phenomenal work being done by phenomenal people; impacting generations to come!

I've been honored to be intimately involved in the work that ASPSF does throughout Arkansas for several years now. It is so very rewarding to witness the growth of each single parent scholarship recipient as they fulfill their dreams of achieving a college degree or trade certificate to better their situation and brighten the future for themselves and their children! As a local volunteer as well as a board member, I can attest to ASPSF's genuine concern for the single parents in Arkansas and their wellbeing. ASPSF's leadership is passionate about their mission and I'm blessed to be involved.

This organization is truly inspiring and a much needed source of support for single parents who are trying to better their lives and the lives of their children. From financial support, to workshops to mentoring, they stand behind their students and help them navigate their educational journey. Arkansas Single Parent Fund is without a doubt making a difference in the lives of single parents and making a difference in our communities.

This non profit does wonderful things for single parents in AR. They are amazing.

ASPSF is an amazing organization that not only provides financial resources for single parents, but also offers support in improving life skills and professional development. I am proud to be involved in carrying out their mission to end the cycle of poverty in Arkansas through providing access to education.

ASPSF serves a population that reaches and teaches the deepest corners of our hearts. As a former employee, I have had the opportunity to advocate for single parents in a part of the state that is traditionally underfunded. Being that needed resources for the students and families motivated me to all that I could do to act as a catalyst for change that would potentially change the narrative of what it means to be a single parent. This is why I found the value in volunteering after leaving my position with ASPSF...to continue rewriting the story with our single parents.

I had a chance to work with ASPSF last year when they were developing a new strategic plan for the organization. This is a diverse and dedicated group of professionals that do incredibly important work.

ASPSF invests in their students with far more than money: mentorship, flexible funding, and life skills. Their students are incredibly successful at finishing their degrees and moving from poverty to prosperity. With a success rate of over 90%, and a mission that helps two generations, they are an incredible asset to our state.
I am always inspired by the stories of our students and love volunteering with this organization.

Seeing the impact that ASPSF has on people's lives is humbling and I am very grateful for the opportunity to volunteer alongside this organization and to learn more about each applicant. From the board members to the applicants, ASPSF is truly, a remarkable organization. Thank you!

ASPSF is such an incredible organization. The services and support that is provided to single parents and their children is unmeasurable. I am so happy that I get to support such awesome work!

The ASPSF is incredible! I've been a single parent trying to finish college, work a fulltime job, and maintain motherhood all at the same time. Small things can deter you - car breakdown, no laptop, having to use book funds to buy food in the home, or not being able to afford your books at all. ASPSF is that lamb in bush, that light at the end of the tunnel; the whisper that says "yes you can". I appreciate the mission - teaching one how to fish. Its why I'm honored to serve on its Board and support.

For over 30 years, ASPSF has helped end poverty through the power of education. They not only award monetary scholarships, but provide/connect their students to other valuable resources such as financial literacy, mentorship, professional development classes and much more. The impact they make on the lives of these students (and their children!) is immeasurable and has a ripple effect across the state of Arkansas.

This is an amazing not for profit that helps single parents. check them out. Aspsf.org

I have been a member of the ASPSF board for several years and I still feel that this organization is so beneficial to single parents. I have watched many individuals return to school or finish a degree who otherwise may not have been able to do so. Additionally, this program teaches single parents life skills and soft skills for employment which is very needed in today's world. I cannot say enough about the good that this organization does and I am proud to be part of it.

ASPSF is doing great work every day to help single parents go back to school. They don't only give them money to help though. They also provide guidance, training, workshops, etc. to help them be more successful! This non-profit not only helps that parent and their immediate family but it helps the community. It allows children to witness their parent's success and that parent to provide a more financially stable and fulfilling career. However, it helps that community, that town, and our state as a whole. Such a great organization with a very worthwhile cause!!

I was introduced to the Single Parent Scholarship at my Rotary Club program. I introduced myself to the speaker, who welcomed my desire to help. I have supported their fundraising raising. have also volunteered as a mentor and participated in applicant interviews. I am a retired priest (Episcopal church) and have lots of experience with volunteer organizations. Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, understands the financial needs of single parents students, they also understand the correlative social drivers that make for successful families. I am looking forward to continuing my financial support and volunteering time to support single parents who are trying to provide a healthy supporting family in which their children will grow into healthy, happy, giving adults. Rev. Dr. Scott Trotter

I’ve been supporting this important organization for approx 8 years. They have positively impacted hundreds of lives during that time.

Sally, volunteer
I LOVE this nonprofit organization! Reading the forms of these deserving parents who want to better themselves for their children and of course them makes your heart melt. Then to interview(my favorite part) is so rewarding for me. They have such obstacles to overcome but continue to put education first. These parents work hard, care for their families and have their goals set. Volunteering for this organization is special, like the parents we serve.

ASPSF helped me reach my goal of finishing my bachelor's degree. I am now a proud volunteer and I can't wait to help serve by giving my time and talent! Thank you ASPSF for all you do for the great state of Arkansas!!!

I volunteered with this agency in Central Arkansas for several years. Unfortunately my demanding career made it hard to keep doing it but in those years, I saw so many success stories being created.
I watched a lady with three young boys gain so much confidence obtain a bachelor's degree and start on her master's.
I met so many students who were the first in their families to obtain a college degree.
This organization provided more than money, they provided classes on budgeting, buying a home and connected the students with organizations in the community to help them achieve their goals.
Money donated to this agency is money well spent.

I am so thankful to be apart of this Single Parent Scholarship program. This program has helped me tremendously. I enjoy all the different assets that bring to this program for example, setting different workshops such as dental workshops, first time home buyers and etc. Without this scholarship I would never be able to afford books and other material for school. The staff is beyond helpful and always available to help and do whatever it takes to make sure that you have successful career and that you have everything that you need because these individuals understand how it is to be a single parent and need help. I would recommend that if you are a single parent please please please enroll and see how easier things can be with the help of the staff of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship.

I am truly grateful for the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund! As a non- traditional student, I really didn't know how I would make it, but I knew that I needed more education to secure the future of my family as a single parent. Thank GOD I am coming closer to my goal of being a medical scientist! I will be able to pay for my children's education, and give them a GREAT start in life! I am SOOO appreciative of Ms. Kerron Simpson for helping me through the processes, and always sharing her positive energy! I pray to one day be able to contribute to the fund substantially!!!

ASPSF has helped several of my former students attend college and receive their degrees. I am honored to work with this non-profit to help fundraise and find applicants for the program!

The ASPSF has helped me tremendously in the past 2 years as I've tried to balance being a single parent and continuing my education. I've also learned so much through the access to the virtual workshops that have been provided. The scholarship fund has really lightened the load of obstacles one must face when trying to accomplish their goals and take care of the responsibilities of home life. I am grateful for everything they have done and continue to do for me and people like me.

I have been a volunteer with this ASPS for many years. I feel extremely BLESSED to be a part of this organization. Being able to provide Single Parents with valuable resources and financial assistance to reach their goals makes my heart SMILE!!!!

ASPSF is the best program ever! Their staff are so encouraging. The program provides financial scholarships, life skill classes , and so much more! Empowering single parents to reach their dreams !

I have been a recipient of the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund. This organization has been a great help to me while being a single parent pursuing a higher education to better my family. The organization is wonderful because they do more than give scholarships. They offer workshops which I think adds to life skills that can be applied to better your life if used. I think this is what makes them amazing because the organization thinks about ways to enhance their recipient's life beyond helping with their education.

ASPSF has helped me so much in these last four years financially in being able to get back and fourth to school, school supplies, supplies for me and my son as well as being able to obtain information through the ASPSF informational workshops i attended throughout receiving this scholarship. I am so appreciative of all the support and financially stability from the staff. Without this scholarship i don't know where i would be. I am so appreciative and grateful!

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship is a wonderful organization that help single parents. They give you the extra push you need to finish school and pursue a great career for your family. ASPS also provide parents with many helpful workshops that’ll help you out in the future. Keep up the great work!

I've been so very fortunate to be involved with Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund for the past 6 years. As a volunteer initially, it was so very rewarding to see first hand how lives were being changed due to ASPSF's resources. Not just lives of the single parent students but, long-term, the lives of their children who will go on to have a better future because of their parent's decision to seek something better for themselves and their family. I now help serve the organization as a board member and I'm extremely proud to be associated with such a fantastic organization.

ASPSF has been a great charity to support in my community. I see real tangible results in the number of students to whom they award scholarships but also all of the other activities and support they give students. As a donor, I regularly receive updates on the ways they help students. These updates are very specific, such as discussing workshops hosted or financial assistance with computers, and give me comfort that my donations are well spent. Well run and a great asset to our state.

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is a wonderful organization that supports single parents as they pursue higher education while also fostering promising futures for their children.

I have been involved in the organization as a volunteer and as a member of the Board of Director's that provide statewide oversight of program operations. This is one of the most impactful organizations I have been involved with when you consider the ability to support generational change in the lives of single-parents and families in Arkansas. The financial support is tangible but not the only support provided. Parenting and college survival workshops aid parents in adapting to the world of academia they now find themselves. SUPPORT Matters! Especially when it comes to breaking the often generational cycle of poverty.

As an Alumni of the scholarship and now Board member, I can say that this scholarship breaks down the barrier of poverty by helping single parents achieve their educational goals. The scholarship is more than just funds to pay a bill. The workshops, mentors, and one-on-one relationships are what set this scholarship apart from the rest. Giving a single parent positive support and acknowledging the individual struggles that come their way with empathy is just one aspect of this scholarship that truly helps the students be successful.

I have been volunteering for this organization at the county level for about six years. It’s hard to put into words how gratifying it is to be able to financially help struggling single parents who are trying to improve their family’s standard of living through education. Our goal is to help them escape poverty by qualifying for better paying jobs through technical training or college. A secondary benefit is seeing the impact this has on the children. They see their parents placing a high value on education. In the poverty community, there is generally not a high value given to education. So this ends up having a multi-generational impact. This also helps the community as the graduates become self supporting and no longer require financial support from the community. It’s a win-win-win situation.

Kudos to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund for 30+ years of service to both individuals and communities! And for the outstanding leadership provided from Headquarters to the county level.

ASPSF helps eligible single parents in Arkansas build a new future for their families. Through this organization, both part-time and full-time single-parent students are able to pursue a post-secondary education, including associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and certificate programs. ASPSF also make referrals to additional services to help with other needs, and offer developmental programs to help with job readiness.

ASPSF scholarships not only help with school costs. They can be used for household expenses, daycare costs, commuting expenses, and more while the single parent is in school. The ASPSF staff walk alongside the recipients, supporting them through school to graduation and into sustainable employment with family-supporting wages.

ASPSF creates life-changing opportunities for families by empowering single mothers and fathers to pursue their education, increase their income, and raise the standard of living for themselves and their families. This organization helps single parents to achieve their dream of obtaining a college degree!

What a great organization that breaks the cycle of poverty! By enabling single parents to gain an education, they are allowing families to thrive. What makes this organization so unique, scholarship funds can be used for whatever makes it possible for the single parent to succeed.

Children of single parents now see possibility in their future just as they have watched their parent succeed with hard work and a great support system provided by ASPSF. It is not simply funds but mentoring that adds to the success of this program.

Each semester there is that one recipient whose educational journey leaves you amazed by the strength and commitment of the single parent. I encourage everyone to volunteer with this organization you will be making a difference in your community.

I am not sure about how the program works but I know that my daughter applied and was told the she was on probation from appling until2012 .Whomever she spoke with was extremely rude . In spite of her not recieveing this scholarship she was still able to attend and continues
to make A'&B's my question who qualifies for this scholarship. I don't know the name of the person but I would like to thank her because she has helped want to strive for excellance. Again thank you for being so rude.

At our presentation ceremonies I have oberved children proud of "Mom", "Mom" showing increased self-confidence and esteem, and one teen-age boy told me with great anticipation in his voice," I will get a new pair of pants now that we have the money! One of the ladies would have to quit school as her brakes on her old car had failed. With tears in her eyes she hugged my neck and thanked me. Observed events and responses makes me happy to be a part of this organization.

Many students in the health occupations programs are single parents. This scholarship money has allowed them to put gas into the car or to buy a needed book for class. The struggle to be successful in post HS education is made a little less stressful.

The single parent scholarship fund has been a blessing to the state and especially my local community. Through the help of matching grants we have been able to help so many parents finish their secondary education and that has helped pull them out of the poverty level. Get involved or recommend a person that you know is a single parent trying to finish their education.

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Program has been, and continues to be, such a blessing for so many. It encourages and enables single parents to return to college for that all important degree so they can provide a better living for their children. It encourages and enables the children of single parents to strive more in school and continue their education to that college degree. It encourages and enables business leaders of the community to expand employment opportunities. And it encourages and enables communities to reach out through volunteer efforts.

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a single parent often told that she will never amount to anyting or having been abused in a variety of ways enter the program. To watch them progress, with increased self estime and confidence is nothing short of amazing. This is as a result of the Arkansas State Single Parent Scholarship Fund and the encouragement, support, help with fundraising that they give to the county chapters in AR.

In 2000 some dedicated community members in three adjacent counties came together in their respective areas to form the Polk, Scott, and Montgomery Co. SPSF boards. Since that time each county has grown in commitment to the cause of increasing opportunities for their single parents through education. The groups moved from giving 4 scholarships each to nearly 40 a year now (between the 3 counties). What a joy to be a part of a selfless organization on the state level and local level too.

In 1999 I made a decision to go back to school to get my degree. I had two young children at the time so this was a real undertaking. Not only did I go to school full time, I also had to work to support my family. I was thrilled to find out scholarships were available to people like me. When you are an adult leaner, there are not many funding options outside of student loans. Receiving the Single Parent Scholarship gave me some much needed funds and also boosted my self-confidence. I graduated in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree and now am a board member of this wonderful group. Empowering people to help themselves is one of the noblest undertakings I have ever been involved with. I cannot say enough about how great this group is!

Letters are easy to write when the subject is an organization such as you. I particularly want to thank you for the many lives you have touched over the years. Your ability to work as a positive team, your well organized manner, and your geniune concerns for helping those in need is obvious to all who worked with you. It makes me very happy to know that your excellence, enthusiasm, and concerns for those in need never change. Keep up the good work! Lloyd Huskey, Former Board Member SPSF-Little Rock

This organization can be summed up in one word: transformational. This group does excellent work across the state to provide funding for higher education expenses.

I am a director of a program on the campus of Arkansas State University Mountain Home Ar. of a program designed to assist students enroll in a two year college.We request all of our potential students to apply for the Single Parent Scholarship funds as it is an organizaton that helps single parents with their needs while attending school.These students are all so greatful when they receive a scholarship and it is so rewarding to see and hear their praises of receiving a single parent scholarship. It also is rewarding to us to see and hear of these students being siccessful in life and knowing that we had a helping hand in their success.