Single Parent Scholarship Fund Marks Decades of Impact on Higher Education

September 11, 2026 - 01:28

The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund helped Cara Brookins go to college more than 30 years ago, when she was a struggling mom of four with limited financial resources, and now she has returned to share how that support shaped the course of her life.

Brookins, who went on to build a career as an author and speaker, said the assistance came at a moment when finishing school felt out of reach. The scholarship covered costs that often stand between single parents and a degree, from tuition and books to childcare and transportation. Those smaller expenses, she noted, can decide whether a parent stays enrolled or drops out.

The organization recently celebrated the broader impact of higher education on single parent families across the state. Leaders pointed to graduation rates, job placement and higher earnings among recipients, along with the effect on their children, who are more likely to pursue college themselves when a parent earns a degree.

Supporters said the mission remains urgent. Many single parents balance full time work, classes and caregiving, and unexpected bills can end a semester overnight. The fund continues to raise money for scholarships and emergency aid, with the goal of helping more parents cross the stage and build steadier futures for their families.