ASPSF awards 27 summer scholarships to single parents

Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) recently announced its Summer 2024 scholarship recipients.

Through the support of local donors and state funding, ASPSF awarded scholarships to 27 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates. Ten of those students are from Mississippi County. The single parents were honored at a picnic awards ceremony at Craighead Forest Park in Jonesboro. Children, family, and friends were also in attendance.

First Security Bank of Jonesboro provided the food, drinks, and supplies for the event. Additionally, the event wouldn’t have been possible without ASPSF volunteers including Kimber Boone and Shana Pierce present to assist with the June 13th event.

Mississippi County student Marcy M., pictured with her children, receives her 2024 Summer scholarship certificate and check at the June 13 Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund awards picnic at Craighead Forest Park. (Photo Courtesy ASPSF)

ASPSF’s flexible scholarship of up to $1,600 helps low- to moderate-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles to obtaining a degree leading 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.

“This scholarship has helped me so much to be able to provide for my son!” said Megan Thiesse, a Craighead County student majoring in early childhood education at East Arkansas Community College. She will begin the final leg of her education at Arkansas State University this fall. “It is always a challenge to make sure school is paid for and you have food on the table. Once again thank you for giving me the opportunity to go to school and take care of my child! ”

Students who received a summer 2024 scholarship were: Amanda Leslie, Amber F., Avery Witt, Brianna W., Claudeya W., Dawn H., Jalisa D., Katherine Pryor, Kayla M., Megan Thiesse, Melissa C., Ronisha B., Samantha Tatem, and Teresa Miller, all of Craighead County. Mississippi County students included Anthony L., Iesha C., Kavonna Bennett, Laterica Burton, Marcy M., Martricia Harvey, and Quintryce W. Additional students not named for privacy reasons were awarded as well.

For more information about Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund — which has awarded more than $55 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 multi generational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. For information about scholarships, volunteer opportunities, and ways to give, visit www.aspsf.org.