Owner of small businesses. Church Office. Massage therapist. Mother. University students.
All of these describe Alta Mae Jones, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Funds Month August 2024 students. And soon she is dealing with “University Students” for “College candidate.”
This incredible single parent has always made the best of every situation showing her 15-year-old son, how hard work and resilience are the keys to success.
When she parted 11 years ago, Alta Mae had to quickly find a way to support a nursery on a salary. She renewed her license as a Master massage therapist and found a position in 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 would always do!
One year to become her own boss, Alta Mae was thrown another curve ball when her landlord no longer decided to rent office space. Alta Mae realized that this was the perfect opportunity to go back to school and serve her associated degree.
“I figured that if I’m already in business for myself, I have to know a little more about it,” she said. “If I continue to do this kind of work and I want to expand and hire others, I have to know about it. And if I don’t do a massage – if I stop doing it and going a different direction – I still need something under my belt that says I know what I’m doing.”
Alta Mae Jones (left) accepts her leap 2023 single parent -scholarship from the former ASPSF program leader Daphne Scott.
Alta Mae signed up for the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton in 2022. She chose that school because she took a few courses there so she knew campus and wouldn’t have to transfer her credits.
At first, her classes were only online, but as she moved on in her academic plan, only more and more courses were offered on campus. That meant she drove 28 miles each way from Conway at least three days a week.
Fortunately, she had Arkansa’s 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 checking that has helped her pay for necessities.
“Everyone always assumes kind of that there is plenty and lots of money for single parents to go back to school, but there is not,” she said. “Advisors for financial support are used to helping 19-year-olds living with mother, not single parents who have to work and pay bills.”
In just a few months, Alta Mae does not have to worry about her school guarantee. She candidates in December with her associate in business!
Her short -term plan is to find a full -time job in the state government or to a company with good benefits, including paid leisure. After building back her savings, Alta Mae wants to buy a home with property outside the city, where she can have a massage therapy and tea garden to create an immersive relaxation experience for clients.
Congratulations, Alta Mae! We know that you will achieve great things and are ready to take the next steps towards building a stable, fulfilling career!