Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship 2025: Application Process & Requirements

Discover how to apply for the 2025 Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF). Learn about eligibility, required documents, deadlines, application steps, and how this scholarship supports single-parent families in Arkansas.

Pursuing higher education while raising children as a single parent can be a daunting task. That’s where the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) steps in. This scholarship isn’t just about money—it’s about transformation. From financial aid to wrap-around support services, ASPSF helps single parents in Arkansas take control of their future through education.

The scholarship provides flexible funds, educational support, and the encouragement needed to graduate with a degree or skilled trade certification. Many single parents across Arkansas have changed their lives with this opportunity—and in 2025, you could be next.

🧭 Key Takeaways

• Award Amount: Varies by county and applicant needs; typically $1,600–$2,000 per semester
• Application Periods:
  • Summer 2025: May 1 – June 1 (for continuing recipients only)
  • Fall 2025: August 1 – September 1
  • Spring 2026: November 1 – December 1
• Eligibility: Must be a single parent, Arkansas/Bowie County resident, have a 2.0+ GPA, show financial need, and be enrolled in an eligible program
• Support Includes: Financial aid, mentoring, career guidance, and help with everyday essentials like childcare and gas
• Application Portal: aspsf.org/applynow

What Is the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF)?

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund was founded to help single mothers and fathers access education and training that can lead to higher wages and better lives. The idea is simple: give motivated single parents the support they need to earn a college degree or technical certification, and they’ll improve the lives of their entire family.

The scholarships are not one-size-fits-all. Each award is based on the unique needs and situations of the applicants. Funds can be used to cover not only tuition and books, but also everyday expenses that often get in the way of academic progress—like transportation, childcare, and rent.

This program is also a community. Recipients gain access to mentoring, career and financial planning, and personal support services that help them graduate and find family-supporting employment. The scholarship’s reach is statewide, but eligibility and application details may vary slightly depending on your county of residence.

How the ASPSF Makes a Difference

When you pursue your education as a single parent, you’re doing more than just improving your own situation. You’re setting an example for your children. By watching you study, persist, and succeed, they learn valuable lessons about resilience, education, and ambition.

The ASPSF helps:

• Increase your income by helping you get a better job
• Elevate your family’s lifestyle through stable employment
• Empower your children to see college as an achievable goal

With a degree or certification, you gain access to careers that offer stability, benefits, and growth opportunities—breaking the cycle of poverty for the next generation.

Types of Scholarships Available

🎓 Traditional Scholarships

If you’re working toward a two-year, four-year, or certificate program at a community college or university in Arkansas, this is for you. Both part-time and full-time students are eligible. These scholarships are designed to support parents pursuing associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or other formal college-level qualifications.

🛠️ Skilled Trade Scholarships

Not everyone needs or wants a traditional college degree. ASPSF recognizes the value of skilled trades—professions like welding, plumbing, carpentry, and HVAC technicians. These jobs offer excellent wages and benefits, and ASPSF supports students enrolled in approved trade certification programs as well.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship, you must meet the following conditions:

1. Residency: You must live in the state of Arkansas or Bowie County, Texas.
2. Legal Status: Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have DACA status.
3. Marital Status: You must be single (never married, divorced, widowed, or legally separated) or married but living apart with divorce pending.
4. Parenting Responsibility: Have physical custody (50% or more) of at least one dependent child under 18, in high school, or a disabled adult.
5. Living Situation: Be the only adult in the home or live with non-partners such as relatives or roommates.
6. Education Level: Hold a high school diploma or GED and not already have a bachelor’s degree.
7. GPA: Maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
8. Income Requirement: Household income must typically fall at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
9. FAFSA: Must have submitted the FAFSA (except DACA students and those in certain training programs).
10. School Enrollment: Be enrolled or planning to enroll in an ASPSF-approved college, university, or training program.
11. Career Goals: Be pursuing a career path that leads to family-supporting employment.

If you live in Benton, Carroll, Madison, Marion, Sevier, Washington, or White Counties, the application criteria or process may differ slightly. Use the county map to learn more.

Application Deadlines

Semester	Application Period	Notes
Summer 2025	May 1 – June 1, 2025	Open to current scholarship recipients
Fall 2025	August 1 – September 1, 2025	Open to new and continuing applicants
Spring 2026	November 1 – December 1, 2025	Open to all eligible applicants

Applications submitted outside these periods will not be considered. Be sure to mark your calendar and prepare early.

Documents Required to Apply and How to Prepare Them

You’ll need to submit six documents, all of which must be scanned clearly and completely. If anything is missing or unreadable, your application may be denied. Use a scanner app like CamScanner or the iPhone Notes app to take clear, organized scans.

Required Documents:

1. Proof of Marital Status
   • Divorce decree, legal separation, spouse’s death certificate, or personal declaration
2. Proof of Income
   • First two pages of your IRS 1040 tax return (or alternative income documentation)
3. FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)
   • Download from the FAFSA website (https://studentaid.gov). DACA students may submit a written explanation.
4. Transcript
   • Unofficial transcript showing your most recent grades and cumulative GPA
5. Proof of Enrollment
   • Class schedule for the term in which you’re applying (must show your name, student ID, courses, and hours enrolled)
6. Final Semester Grades
   • A final transcript uploaded after the term ends

Organize and label these documents clearly before uploading them to avoid disqualification.

How to Apply for the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship

Step 1: Check Your County’s Specific Criteria

Use the interactive county map to locate your scholarship contact or local affiliate. Some counties have their own separate applications.

Step 2: Gather All Required Documents

Start collecting your tax forms, transcripts, and proof of enrollment. Be sure to scan them legibly.

Step 3: Visit the Application Portal

Go to the official application page: https://www.aspsf.org/applynow. Select your county and click the application link when the application window opens.

Step 4: Create or Log in to Your Submittable Account

You’ll be prompted to create an account on Submittable (the application platform). Fill out your profile completely.

Step 5: Complete the Online Application Form

Fill in your personal details, educational background, and household situation. Make sure every section is completed.

Step 6: Upload Required Documents

Attach the six documents in the appropriate fields. Ensure that each file is properly labeled.

Step 7: Submit Your Application

Double-check everything, then click “Submit.” You should receive a confirmation email.

Step 8: Prepare for an Interview

If selected, you’ll be contacted for a friendly local interview with a scholarship committee.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted and accepted, you’ll receive a notification. If you’re selected for an award, the scholarship amount will be disbursed according to your needs and enrollment status. The funds can be used to cover a wide range of expenses beyond tuition.

If you continue your education in following semesters, you’ll be eligible to reapply as a “continuing applicant.”

Benefits of the ASPSF Beyond the Money

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is more than a check—it’s a full support system.

Flexibility

You can use the funds for what you need most: childcare, gas, housing, or even car repairs.

Wrap-Around Support Services

ASPSF connects you with:

• Career and financial counseling
• Mentorship programs
• Tutoring and academic guidance
• Referrals to local resources like housing support, food banks, and healthcare services

Motivation and Confidence

Completing school as a single parent is tough, but ASPSF creates a community that helps you stay encouraged and focused.

FAQs About the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship

1. Can I apply if I attend a trade school?
Yes! ASPSF supports both traditional and trade programs as long as they lead to stable employment.

2. What if I don’t qualify for FAFSA?
DACA recipients or students in short-term training programs are exempt from the FAFSA requirement. You’ll just need to explain your situation in the application.

3. Are graduate programs eligible?
No. The scholarship is only for students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree.

4. Can I reapply every semester?
Yes. As long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you can reapply for each term.

5. How do I know if my school or program is approved?
Visit the ASPSF Approved Institutions List or contact your local representative through the county map.

Final Thoughts

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is more than just financial aid—it’s a chance for a new beginning. With flexible support, personalized guidance, and real encouragement, it helps parents move from survival to success. If you’re a single parent looking to return to school or continue your education, take that leap in 2025. Your children will thank you, your future will thank you, and ASPSF will be right there with you, every step of the way.

Apply now: https://www.aspsf.org/applynow