ASPSF awards 61 Fall 2022 scholarships to single parents in Northeast Arkansas

Jonesboro, Ark. (Nov. 15, 2022) — Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF)  congratulates the Fall 2022 scholarship recipients from the counties of Clay, Craighead, Greene, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, and Randolph in Northeast Arkansas. 

Thanks to the support of local donors and state funding, ASPSF awarded scholarships to 61 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates.

“I had no idea how I was going to make it financially with having to go to school Monday through Friday and homework and study on the weekends. But with the help of this scholarship, it takes away some of those worries,” said recipient Mallory B., a Black River Technical College nursing major. “Without this scholarship, my worries and doubts would take away from being able to focus on my schooling and ability to care for my children. This has taken a burden off me and given me a piece of mind.”

ASPSF Fall 2022 recipient Mallory B. accepts her scholarship award. 

The single parents were honored at two awards ceremonies. One was hosted at Word Baptist Church in Jonesboro on Oct. 8, and the other was held at Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville on Sept. 11.

Local volunteers Shana Pierce and LaShay Robinson assisted with the event in Jonesboro, and Denese Bogard assisted with the event in Blytheville. A special thanks to Word Baptist Church and ANC for hosting the events; the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library for setting up a table and providing information at the Jonesboro ceremony; and Southern Bancorp for providing refreshments, merchandise, and information at the Blytheville ceremony

ASPSF would like to recognize Mary Ann Greenwood Endowed Scholar Heather F. of Craighead County and Entergy Grant Scholars Mallory B. and Jasmine B., both of Poinsett County.

The Single Parent Scholarship was also awarded to the following students: Alese Roberson, Alexandria Gillespie, Aliyah P., Alyssa Weyland, Angela B., Candace G., Cartiera B., Hannah M., Jacarra W., Jaylen Crayton, Jasmine J., Jessica W., Juleisa P., Kallen Howard, Kara Moore, Karla Fisher, Katherine P., Kayla Moore, Kaylie Pickle, Laura Bean, Mallari N., Micah Fisher, Raven P., Reyna A.S., Riley Williams, Sarah Taylor, Sherlisa M., Tamara Brown, Tamyia Weatherspoon, Terrell Ford, Tiffany Wilson, and Tkyla Jones all of Craighead County.  Greene County students were Alyssa Henson, Ashlie Thacker, Edna Johnson, Jennifer Jackson, Kassie Allen, and Brooke Lenderman.  Students from Mississippi County were Alexis Robinson, Andrea English, China McChristian, Jamie G., Jakayla W., Jalisa Sherman, Jennifer Harris, Jernal W., Marcy M., Misty Adams, and Octavia M.  Harden Daniels, Jennifer Tyler,  Kanisha L., Natalie Traynom, and Taryn M were awarded in Poinsett County.  Additional students were Marissa Johnson of Clay County, Kristienia Law and Morgan H. of Lawrence County, and Ashley Stover of Randolph County.

ASPSF’s flexible scholarship of up to $1,200 helps low-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree that leads to a career with family-supporting wages. The monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching — the soft skill training that transforms students into sought-after employees.

Over the past decade, the nonprofit has distributed more than $1.2 million in scholarships to over 1,300 single parents in the ASPSF Northeast Region. In 2021 alone, the Northeast Region awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarships to 144 single parents, who showed their 259 children that higher education is within reach.

This investment not only strengthens communities with viable economic impact but also emboldens entire families to imagine a brighter future.

For more information about Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund — which has awarded more than $30 million in scholarships across the state to single parents since 1990 — contact ASPSF Program Manager Carrie Allen at callen@aspsf.org or (870) 345 – 4681

About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund:  For more than 30 years, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund has worked to create stronger, more educated, and more self-sufficient families. Through scholarships and services, ASPSF opens doors for low-income single parents, helping them pursue education, secure employment, and transform the future for their families. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.