ASPSF recipient Bailey Birge celebrates her spring 2026 scholarship.
ASPSF recipient Destinee Savage celebrates her spring 2026 scholarship.
ASPSF recipient Chyna White celebrates her spring 2026 scholarship.
LITTLE ROCK — Single parents in Cross County 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.
In Cross County, ASPSF has awarded 3 scholarships totaling $3,200 in 2026 to Wynne’s Bailey Birge, Destinee Savage, and Chyna White. Birge is an education major at East Arkansas Community College; Savage is a business major at East Arkansas College, and White is a nursing major at Arkansas State University-Newport.
“Not only has this scholarship placed wonderful women in my life to call on for advice, it has also helped provide needs for my son and me in unimaginable ways,” Savage said. “After the Fall 25 ceremony, unexpectedly I needed two new tires [and this scholarship helped pay for the expense]. A blessing in disguise. And I will truly forever be grateful for it.”
Birge added: “This scholarship program has changed my life in many ways. I have been able to afford my bills and some things my special needs kids need and also paid for a child care.”
White also shared her career goals: “I plan to immediately begin to work under my degree. While working in my field, I will begin to look into furthering my education by obtaining my bachelor’s degree in nursing and ultimately my master’s.”
For many single parents, earning a degree means balancing classes with full-time work, raising children, arranging transportation, and finding reliable child care. ASPSF pairs flexible scholarship funding with mentorship, career guidance, workshops, and connections to local resources so parents have support throughout their educational journey.
Higher education helps families achieve greater economic stability while preparing the nurses, teachers, skilled tradespeople, and other professionals that local communities depend on every day.
“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.
