Nine Black River Technical College students were awarded scholarships by the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) on Oct. 8 at Word Baptist Church in Jonesboro.
ASPSF awarded scholarships to 61 single parents pursuing associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and skilled-trade certificates across Northeast Arkansas.
The scholarships awarded to BRTC students included: nursing student Brooke Lenderman of Paragould; nursing student Mallory B. of Marked Tree; criminal justice student Ashley Stover of Biggers; nursing student Edna Johnson of Paragould; nursing student Jennifer Jackson of Paragould; practical nursing student Kara Moore of Jonesboro; business student Kristienia Law of Walnut Ridge; nursing student Marissa Johnson of Piggott; and medical profession education student Tkyla Jones of Jonesboro.
“Their generosity and willingness to help single parents has impacted my life tremendously. Each semester I am one step closer to my degree, which is rewarding in itself, but brings financial hardship as I primarily focus on my studies. Because of ASPSF’s donors and staff, I am able to more comfortably continue that focus while maintaining a 3.5-4.0 GPA,” said BRTC nursing student Brooke Lenderman. I am looking forward to graduation next semester and to begin my career. I will gladly take the opportunity to give back to this fund as they continue changing the future of our local communities, one single parent at a time.
Flexible scholarship of up to $1,200 from ASPSF helps low-income single parents pay for the biggest financial obstacles in obtaining a degree that leads to a career with family-supporting wages. Monetary aid is paired with mentoring, financial instruction, and career coaching.
“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 Mallory B., Entergy Grant Scholar and BRTC nursing student. “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 peace of mind.”
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, contact ASPSF Program Manager Carrie Allen at callen@aspsf.org or 870-345-4681.