Applications accepted through Sept. 1; awards range from $400 to $1,600.
LITTLE ROCK — Single parents in Hempstead and Nevada counties have until Sept. 1 to apply for Fall 2026 scholarships from the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF).
Awards range from $400 to $1,600 and are available to eligible students pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, professional certificate, or skilled-trade program. Applications opened Aug. 1 at aspsf.org/scholarships.
So far in 2026, ASPSF has awarded one $1,600 scholarship in Hempstead County to Heather Smith of Hope. Additionally, in Nevada County, Malaijah McClenton of Willisville received a 2026 single parent scholarship totaling $1,600. Smith is studying to become a teacher at the online school Reach University, while McClenton is a nursing major at University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.
“This scholarship helped me build the foundation for both me and my daughter’s futures,” McClenton said. “I now have more independence and financial stability. I feel a sense of security that I didn’t have before I was awarded the scholarship.”
Smith added: “One thing that it has changed my life by helping me be a little stress free.”
For many single parents, earning a degree means balancing classes with full-time work, raising children, arranging transportation, and finding reliable childcare. ASPSF pairs flexible scholarship funding with mentorship, career guidance, workshops, and connections to local resources so parents have support throughout their educational journey.
Scholarships help parents prepare for the skilled careers that local employers need, strengthening both family financial stability and the workforce that keeps South Arkansas growing.
“All parents deserve the opportunity to build a better future through education,” ASPSF CEO Jenn Morehead said. “When we remove barriers to earning a degree or workforce credential, families, employers, and communities all benefit.”
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be a single parent.
- Live in an eligible Arkansas county or Bowie County, Texas.
- Hold a high school diploma or GED.
- Be pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, professional certificate, or skilled-trade program.
- Be enrolled in at least one three-credit-hour course.
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Meet income eligibility guidelines and other program requirements.
Both new and returning applicants are encouraged to apply before the Sept. 1 deadline. Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at aspsf.org/scholarships.
About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to ending single-parent poverty through higher education. Since 1990, ASPSF has awarded more than $50 million in scholarships and provided the mentorship and support single parents need to complete their education and pursue higher-paying careers. With the help of volunteers and community partners, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. Learn more at aspsf.org.
ASPSF recipient Heather Smith (left) celebrates her spring 2026 scholarship with her daughter and ASPSF volunteer Tenequa Martin.
ASPSF recipient Malaijah McClenton (left) celebrates her spring 2026 scholarship with her daughter and ASPSF volunteer Tenequa Martin.