The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund is now open for fall 2026 scholarship applications, with a deadline set for Sept. 1. Eligible single parents pursuing education can receive up to $1,600 per semester, directly deposited into their bank accounts.
According to Jen Lawrence, chief communications officer for the fund, the eligibility criteria are designed to be inclusive. Applicants must be single parents—whether never married, divorced, or widowed—and should have medium to low incomes. They must also live in Arkansas and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 if currently enrolled in college. Those attending online colleges based outside Arkansas may still qualify if they reside in the state.
“Single parents can be enrolled virtually, on campus, or in hybrid programs, ranging from three to 12 credit hours,” Lawrence explained. The fund supports parents pursuing various educational pathways, including trade or associate degrees, not just bachelor’s programs.
Unlike many traditional scholarships, the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund provides flexibility in how the money can be used. Recipients can allocate the funds toward child care, groceries, gas, school supplies, or other necessities.
Scholarship recipient Niki Baker shared her perspective on how the program supports parents navigating the challenges of returning to school. “There is so much—so many things go into going back to school, and it’s such a huge decision, especially when you have an infant on your hip and a toddler on your leg,” Baker said.
The fund, which awards scholarships for three semesters each year, allows applicants to reapply every semester. Since its founding in 1990, it has distributed more than $50 million in scholarships statewide.
Applications for the fall semester can be submitted online at aspsf.org/scholarship . The deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 1.