United Way taking applications for single-parent scholarships w/ Scholarship information and application

By Nammi Bhagvandoss

nbhagvandoss@joplinglobe.com

The United Way of Southwest Missouri announced plans Tuesday to create a scholarship fund to help single parents move out of poverty by going to college.

Bryan Vowels, president of the board of the local United Way and chairman of the scholarship committee, said he previously lived in Northwest Arkansas. He said he and the bank where he worked supported a similar program there. He said he and his wife saw how the scholarships in Arkansas helped people, and he brought the idea with him when he came to Southwest Missouri.

“It’s fun to see something that’s successful somewhere else and incorporate it into your area,” Vowels said.

According to the United Way of Southwest Missouri, half of the single parents in Jasper and Newton counties live below the poverty level, compared with 37.7 percent nationwide and 40.4 percent in Missouri. The numbers are from the 2005 American Community Survey.

“Education is the key to the future,” Vowels said.

“Our goal is to give $150,000 worth of scholarships in five years. The first scholarships will be given out in the fall — $500 per semester.”

The United Way of Southwest Missouri will award 10 scholarships for the fall semester, and the number eventually will be increased, officials said. The deadline for applying for the fall scholarships is June 1.

Vowels said nearly $35,000 has been raised in pledges and is in hand.

Liberty Bank and Commerce Bank have donated, Vowels said. Vowels, manager of the Joplin office of the A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. investment firm, said his company has pledged $25,000 over the next five years.

Scholarship eligibility

Applicants must be:

A resident of Jasper or Newton counties.

A high-school graduate or equivalent.