Scholarship helps Fort Worth area single parents earn a college degree. Here’s how to apply

Being a single parent can be a mighty challenge. So can getting an education.

Trying to do both at the same time can be one of the toughest of all endeavors.

There is, however, Educational Scholarships for Single Parents, an organization that does exactly what its name says, help single parents further their education.

“Single parents never have enough time or enough money. They must earn enough money to pay the bills, manage money well, schedule classes around work and child care, study and do homework, and attend classes,” said Carol Feyen, who benefited from the program and, along with her husband Ray, was one of the original members of the organization’s board of directors. “There are still only 24 hours in a day.

“Some have support from family members, but that is not always the case. They are frequently the first in their family to attend college. They have no one to ask what to expect or who to call with questions.”

The Texas program, based in Fort Worth, began in August 2015 and has helped almost two dozen single parents get a college education. While that number might not seem large, bear in mind they stay with a student until they graduate from college or are no longer eligible for the program (they remarry, move in with a significant other, move out of the area, etc.).

Start in Arkansas

Single Parent Scholarships started in Benton County, Arkansas, in 1984. It was the brainchild of co-founders Marjorie Wolfe and Ralph Nesson.

Carol Feyen, who lived in Arkansas at the time, was one of the first recipients. She continued her education and later retired as an accounting instructor at Tarrant County College.

“At that time I was a single parent with two daughters. I paid my tuition and was leaving the building when a secretary came running after me. She told me ‘There is a new scholarship available and I think you will qualify,’” Felan recalled. “I applied and was one of the first recipients. There were eight of us.”

Felen later remarried and moved to Fort Worth. Then, she got the call from Wolfe about bringing the program to Texas.

“I felt honored to be asked and am glad for the opportunity to pay the much-needed help I had received forward,” Felen said. “I cannot say I am the only local founder because Ray has worked with me to start and grow the organization.”

How scholarship program works

Educational Scholarships for Single Parents works regularly with a variety of area schools, including Tarrant County College, University of Texas at Arlington and TCU. Along with help from the organization, students are free to get any and all help they can from other sources.

The process includes:

▪ Students apply online at ESSPTX.org.

▪ A board member contacts them to answer any questions and help them with the application process.

▪ The student meets with a board member for an in-person interview.

▪ The board votes to accept or reject the applicant.

▪ The president, currently Chris Lokey, sends the applicant a letter indicating the board’s decision.

▪ A board member contacts the applicant and tells her of any requirements they still need to meet.

▪ The student must submit a class schedule for the coming semester.

▪ The student receives half the semester award after showing class participation after census date. (Award is $75 per credit hour.)

▪ The student receives the second half of the award when they submit grades for that semester.

“Returning recipients have a short application form. They tell us if here is no change or update information,” Felen said. “We present them with a Visa gift card using our own funds. We use a gift card because many of our students do not have a bank account. We don’t want them to have to pay to cash a check.”

Lokey said topics such as family support system and whether or not an applicant are also taken into consideration.

“Their practical solutions to these challenges always leave me confident in their potential for success,” he said. “Later, when we meet to distribute their scholarship funds, I hear updates on their progress, how close they are to graduation, and their plans for the future.

“Each time, I walk away inspired and proud, knowing that we’ve made a meaningful difference in their lives.”

Donations to help with the project can also be made on the website.

Single moms

So far, all of the scholarship recipients have been single mothers, though that is not by design, Felen said.

“Mothers more often have primary custody. Women frequently earn less per hour than males, so are closer to the poverty line,” she said. “A male applicant who meets our criteria will definitely be considered equally.”

Brenna Kent, 36, is a single mom taking advantage of the scholarship to help put herself through TCU, where she is a communications major. She started at Tarrant County College, where she also received a dean’s list scholarship.

“With this scholarship, I have put my daughter into summer camp, gymnastics, swim lessons, and the occasional treat of eating out or getting ice cream,” she said. “I also use this scholarship for gas. I live about 12 miles from TCU and must drop my daughter off at school before I arrive.”

Felen said each applicant/student is addressed individually.

“We say they must be at or near the poverty line. We consider how many children and do the children have special needs. Sometimes they just need someone to tell them they can do it,” she said.

Lokey said he is continually amazed by the recipients’ dedication to both their families and their education.

“These women manage to balance school, study, family responsibilities, and often work with incredible resilience,” he said. “Despite carrying a class load of at least 12 hours and juggling these multiple commitments, their GPAs are typically above 3.5.”