The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Washington County was established in 1984 as a response to the dramatic increase in the number of impoverished single parent families in the region. The purpose of the Fund is to enable single parents to acquire a higher education in preparation for skilled, well-paying employment.

In Washington County, 12 per cent of all family households are led by single mothers. It is difficult to support a family on a single salary, but if a single parent does not have the education necessary to obtain a good job, he or she is likely to remain in poverty. Even earning $10 an hour, a worker would only net $20,800 per year.

The organization is governed by a 26 member volunteer board of directors. There is one full-time person, the Executive Director, and a part-time Student Support Specialist. The fiscal administrator of the Fund is the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.

Since 1984, over 1,700 scholarships worth over $900,000 have been distributed. In 2001 alone, 234 scholarships worth $113,499 were disbursed. Scholarships are funded by local contributions from civic groups, churches, individuals and foundations.

Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Washington County
      Jean Kebis, Executive Director
      614 E. Emma, Suite 119
      Springdale, AR. 72764
      Ph: 479-927-1402
      FAX: 479-751-1110

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