Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas (SPSF NWA) serves Carroll, Madison and Washington counties.

SPSF of Northwest Arkansas is governed by a local board of directors.

A very generous grant from a private foundation covers SPSF NWA salaries, which means that YOUR donation goes to support scholarship and student programs.

Full time students (taking 12 or more credit hours) receive $1,750 per semester while part-time students (taking 6 or more credit hours) receive $900.   Summer scholarships are $900.

Facts about SPSF NWA applicants

• Average age of SPSF NWA applicant is 31.
• Average number of children per SPSF NWA applicant family: 1.7
• Average age of children: 9 years
• Average income of 2010 applicants’ was $15,143 per year.
  *This INCLUDES the value of financial resources such as food stamps, subsidized housing, child care vouchers, etc.   2010 federal poverty guidelines list the poverty level for a family of two at $14,570 per year.

Follow-up conducted in spring 2011 provides the following data on scholarship recipients:

• 83% of scholarship recipients in 2010 had graduated or were still in school as of spring 2011
• 100% of 2010 graduates contacted were employed and earning an income above the poverty level
• 75% of returning students in 2010 had GPAs of 3.0 or higher.
• 28% of returning students in 2010 had GPAs of 4.0.

SPSF NWA contracted with the Survey Research Center at the University of Arkansas for a comprehensive survey of past and present applicants and recipients.  The study found that, over time, receipt of the Single Parent Scholarship appears to be related to:

• increased rates of home ownership
• higher levels of education and income
• higher rates of full-time employment and health insurance for adults
• reductions in family, governmental and other types of aid received
• and increased contributions to community organizations.

Read the Executive Summary of the report here.

Read the Summary and Conclusions here.

The complete study can be downloaded here.

With the exception of 2009, tuition and fees at the University of Arkansas have increased 40% over the past 5 years (4-8% each year since 2000)  Federal need based financial aid (Pell Grants) has increased only 23% over the past 5 years.

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