Small business owner. Church clerk. Massage therapist. Mom. College student.
All of these describe Alta Mae Jones, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund’s August 2024 Student of the Month. And soon, she’ll trade “college student” for “college graduate.”
This incredible single parent has always made the best of any situation, showing her 15-year-old son how hard work and resilience are the keys to success.
When she divorced 11 years ago, Alta Mae had to quickly find a way to support a preschooler on one salary. She renewed her license as a master massage therapist and found a position at a chiropractic practice. But after eight years, she lost her job when the clinic received a new owner. Alta Mae focused on the positive: She could open her own business as a massage therapist — something she always wanted to do!
A year into being her own boss, Alta Mae was thrown another curve ball when her landlord decided to no longer rent office space. Alta Mae realized this was the perfect opportunity to go back to school and earn her associate degree.
“I figured if I’m already in business for myself, I need to know a little bit more about it,” she said. “If I’m going to keep doing this kind of work and I want to expand and employ others, I need to know about that. And if I don’t do massage — if I stop doing it and go another direction — I still have to have something under my belt that says I know what I’m doing.”
Alta Mae Jones (left) accepts her Spring 2023 single parent scholarship from former ASPSF Program Manager Daphne Scott.
Alta Mae enrolled at University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton in 2022. She chose that school because she took a few courses there, so she knew the campus and wouldn’t have to transfer her credits.
At first, her classes were only online, but as she progressed in her academic plan, more and more courses were offered only on campus. That meant she was driving 28 miles each way from Conway at least three days a week.
Thankfully, she had the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund to help her with gas, car maintenance, and motivation when times were tough. For five semesters, she studied hard to keep the scholarship check that has helped her pay for necessities.
“Everybody always kind of assumes there’s tons and tons of money for single parents to go back to school, but there’s not,” she said. “Financial aid advisors are used to helping freshman 19-year-olds who live with mom, not single parents who have to work and pay bills.”
In just a few months, Alta Mae won’t have to worry about her school tuition. She graduates this December with her associate degree in business!
Her short-term plan is to find a full-time job in state government or at a company with good benefits, including paid time off. After she builds back her savings, Alta Mae wants to buy a home with property outside of town where she can have a massage therapy clinic and tea garden to create an immersive relaxation experience for clients.
Congratulations, Alta Mae! We know you will achieve great things and are ready to take the next steps toward building a stable, fulfilling career!