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Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) raised $61,000 during its second annual Day of Giving on March 20, showing strong statewide support for single parents working toward a college degree.
This fundraising effort came as ASPSF awarded $659,600 in Spring 2026 scholarships to 453 single parents, helping student parents across 69 counties stay enrolled in college or trade school while supporting their families.
In Drew County, ASPSF awarded a total of $9,600 in financial aid to seven Spring students, including Whitney Baptiste of Monticello. She is studying radiology at University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College.
“When I became pregnant, there were doubts about whether I would finish school, but that only strengthened my determination,” she said. “I have a point to prove not just to others, but to myself and my family. Most importantly, I want to show my daughter that even when life is difficult, perseverance, hard work, and self-belief can lead to success.”
ASPSF scholarships are a maximum of $1,600 per semester and can be used for expenses that often stand between a single parent and graduation, including child care, transportation, housing, utilities, and school-related costs. The financial aid is paired with support services to help these nontraditional students successfully balance school, work, and parenting.
“Day of Giving showed how deeply Arkansans believe in the determination of single parents who are working to create a better future for their families,” said Jenn Morehead. “Every gift helps remove barriers that can keep a student parent from finishing school and moving into a career with family-supporting wages.”
This year’s Day of Giving exceeded the nonprofit’s $45,000 goal, and the campaign raised nearly twice as much as last year.
The fundraiser coincides with National Single Parent Day and brought together donors, volunteers, community partners, and local supporters across the state to invest in the success of single parent families. For many recipients, this support means more than financial help. It means knowing someone believes in their future.
For more information, visit aspsf.org or contact Jen Lawrence at jlawrence@aspsf.org or 501.550.6304.
