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.
A single head of household (single, separated, divorced, widowed) with custodial care of children younger than 18.
Pursuing a career-oriented course of study (full time) to ensure a better standard of living for the family. Applicants cannot already have earned an undergraduate degree.
At an income level of no more than 125 percent of the current U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty guideline.
A recipient of or going through the procedure of obtaining a Pell Grant, with proof of status.
All documentation must be presented by the deadline.
Applications are available online at www.uwswmo.org.
Local News
Related Photos
Related Links
Discussion
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/extra.gif" border=0> United Way taking applications for single-parent scholarships <font color="#ff0000"> w/ Scholarship information and application</font>
- Local News
-
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down part of a state harassment law enacted after the suicide of a St. Charles County teenager who was teased over the Internet.
-
Cattle rustlers strike again in SW Mo. county
The plague of cattle rustling goes on in southwest Missouri’s Greene County.
Sheriff Jim Arnott says the latest episode occurred sometime Sunday in Walnut Grove. -
Bids sought for Cherokee County water treatment plant
After many delays, construction bids are being sought for a water treatement plant and water tank for the Spring River Public Wholesale Water District No. 19.
-
Dog helps some get through the court process
Sophie, a mutt of a dog with draping ears and dotted brows, is helping people in St. Louis County court tell stories of crime to judges, investigators and attorneys.
-
Jasper County 911 administrative lines down
Though all Jasper County emergency 911 telephone lines are functional, administrative and non-emergency lines for the county dispatching service have been down since Monday night.
-
Study suggests continued population drop in Kansas
A decades-long decline in population is likely to continue in Kansas, particularly in the west of the state, and four counties could have fewer than 1,000 residents by 2040, according to a study by Wichita State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research.
-
Tornado victim’s recovery ‘miraculous’
Carolyn Mckinlay did not know much about baseball, but she knew it was important to watch the sixth game of last year’s World Series. It was important because her future husband, Mark Lindquist, had a ticket to see his beloved Cardinals take on the Texas Rangers in the seventh game at St. Louis.
-
Family of service honored at Memorial Day ceremony
Lt. Col. Robert Brock returned to his hometown Monday and told an audience of about 500 residents and veterans gathered at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial that Memorial Day is a celebration of family — America’s family of service.
-
Master developer working on project possibilities
A Texas developer who Joplin officials intend to hire to help with the city’s post-tornado development says he has secured commitments for about $400 million in capital to fund about 20 possible projects.
-
Webb City High School honored in rankings of national magazine
Webb City High School is among 13 schools in Missouri to receive a silver medal designation among the best high schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Mo. court strikes down part of 2008 harassment law
