Life for a single parent can be very trying, as living on a single income can be very difficult, considering that some families have a hard time living on two paychecks, and they have a partner to rely on. For a single parent without an education it can be harder as they cannot earn as much and the only way they can increase their income is by working longer hours which is not feasible when one has children. Therefore applying for a single parent scholarship and advancing one’s career is the best option to break out of the vicious cycle of working long hours for little pay.
There are many Federal and private organizations offering not only single parent scholarships but also advice so you may choose the right program for you. They vary from state to state and so do the eligibility criteria. For example one such organization is the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is a private, non-profit organization, which was founded in 1990 in recognition of the large number of single parent families that require assistance to obtain skilled employment. The fund aims to help these parents complete their postsecondary education, so that they may find higher paying jobs and increase their living standards.
The fund functions by recruiting local residents to run affiliate scholarship funds, which compile application requirements, recruit new applicants, and raise funds to be able to increase the number of scholarships awarded in Arkansas counties. There are 67 affiliate organizations which have awarded over 21,000 scholarships worth over $11 million, between 1990 and 2008.
The application requirements vary from county to county, therefore contacting your local affiliate is the best course of action. The general eligibility guidelines for an applicant are:
- the applicant is economically disadvantaged;
- the applicant is a single parent that has primary custodial care of a minor child;
- he or she is a high school graduate or has a GED certificate;
- has not earned a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher learning;
- is a recipient or applicant of the federal Pell Grant;
- is already enrolled in a study program that leads to a degree, diploma, or certificate of graduation.
There are other factors that may be taken into consideration such as your career direction and commitment, the type of institution you are attending, your income level, your marital status, and others.
The financial assistance provided by the Arkansas single parent scholarship fund can be used for tuition, utility bills, child care, and anything else that will contribute to your success in school. The amount awarded will be determined on an individual basis and is at the discretion of each scholarship providing affiliate.
There are also a large number of colleges and universities in Arkansas that can help finance your education. Some of these include Arkansas State University, John Brown University, Hendrix College and many more.
