ASPSF recipient Kim Osborn receives her fall 2025 scholarship at a ceremony hosted in Hot Springs. Kim is working toward an associate degree in radiologic technology at National Park College. —photo J&L Photography
Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) will open its Spring 2026 application period on January 1 for single mothers and fathers seeking financial support for higher education. The application is available at
aspsf.org/scholarships. The deadline to apply is February 1.
Single parents pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or professional certificate may apply for financial aid through ASPSF. Scholarship awards range from $400 to $1,600, depending on the number of enrolled credit hours. Funds are sent directly to recipients so they can address 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 77 scholarships totaling $101,700 to single parents in Garland County, including NPC student Kim Osborn.
“I’ve wanted to do the radiology technician program for 20 years, but something else always came up,” Osborn said. “My kids are the reason I am finally going to do this program so that I can take care of them and support them. Going through a divorce is not easy, especially financially, so receiving this scholarship is a huge blessing because it takes a little bit of the stress away so that I can focus more on my kids and my classes.”
Statewide, ASPSF awarded 1,300 scholarships totaling $1.7 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 jlawrence@aspsf.org or call 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.
