ASPSF Day of Giving raises $61K as 453 Single Parents Receive Spring Scholarship

Little Rock, Ark. (May 6, 2026) — 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 Arkansas County, ASPSF awarded a $1,600 scholarship to Karmen Sanak who is studying radiography at Baptist Health College. She graduates this May and plans to continue working in the CT Department at Baptist Health Little Rock.

“Trying to balance school and life is a challenge,” she said. “It’s tough with a child, working, and driving an hour to school and home each day. This scholarship is making a difference. The program is much bigger than you’d ever know. Thanks to ASPSF speakers and workshops, I no longer believe what other people say about younger parents going through school because it is possible.” 

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.

About Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: Statewide nonprofit Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF) is dedicated to ending single parent poverty through higher education. Since 1990, ASPSF has awarded more than $50 million in scholarships and provided services that empower single parents to complete their education and pursue higher-paying careers. With the help of volunteers and community support, ASPSF creates multigenerational change, transforming lives for both single parents and their children. Learn more at aspsf.org. 

Karmen Sanak (center) celebrates her Spring 2025 scholarship with ASPSF volunteer Susan Akin (right) and ceremony speaker Jessica Holmes at an event held in October in Monticello. Sanak also received a Spring 2026 scholarship. (Photo Courtesy ASPSF) 

Find Spring 2026 scholarship photos here and Find statewide Day of Giving photos here.