Living Expense Scholarship
SPSF scholarship funds are not paid directly to the school or to the individual
recipient. Funds are held in an account and are accessible throughout the
semester. Each recipient is able to work these funds into their budget
and decide (within the guidelines) how to best apply the money. Scholarship
funds can be used to pay rent, day care, utilities, car repairs, insurance,
and medical bills. A recipient may also choose to be reimbursed for groceries
or gasoline. Often it can mean the difference between staying enrolled
or having to drop a class.
Mentoring Program
Each scholarship recipient is paired with a mentor who is often faculty or
staff at the student’s school who agree to communicate with the student
at least once a month during the semester. Mentors provide encouragement
and shoulders to lean on. They are there to assist with any problems, especially
academic situations that often occur during a student’s college career.
Singe 1998 when the SPSF mentoring program began, mentors have offered invaluable
assistance. As an example, a UALR student’s Pell Grant was being delayed,
which could have cost her enrollment. A mentor was able to work directly
with the financial aid office and speed up the process so she did not lose
the semester. Another student was about to fail a class. Upon investigation,
the mentor discovered that this freshman student was in a senior level course
for which she had no prerequisites! The mentor was able to direct the student
to a class for which she was better prepared.
Case Management
A Student Support Specialist is on staff to provide one-on-one case management
and mentoring to recipients. This staff person maintains a resume of life
experience that includes attending college as a single parent.
SPSF takes a personal interest in our recipients. We meet their families,
celebrate their victories and help them overcome their setbacks. We maintain
a “phone-call-away” relationship with our recipients.
Community Partnerships
SPSF maintains partnerships with several community organizations. These partnerships
result in expanded services for our students.
Dress for Success – Dress for Success,
a local career development organization, provides our students with quality
business attire and a definite boost to their self–esteem. Go to website:
www.dressforsuccess.org
Pulaski Heights Baptist Church - Pulaski Heights Baptist
Church organizes “Parent’s Night Out” annually
for our recipients. The church provides an evening of games, crafts, and
storytelling while the parents are treated to fellowship and dinner at a
local restaurant.
Life Skill Workshops
Life Skill Workshops are offered throughout the year. These workshops provide
recipients with additional information and resources such as additional scholarship
programs, budgeting, personal credit, first-time home ownership, purchasing
vehicles, and free legal advise for issues including child custody and child
support.
Computer Give-Away Program
As individuals and businesses donate used computers to SPSF, we upgrade them
and give them to recipients that do not have a computer at home. While college
campuses offer computer labs for student use, single parent students have
too many demands on their time to suit the campus computer lab schedule.
Their time spent at home is precious and rare. Having a computer allows them
to do college work in their own home, on their own schedule, and with their
children.
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