Foundation History
The Arkansas School Boards Association established an Educational Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity, to support public education in Arkansas. The foundation established a scholarship program in 1992, and the first scholarships were awarded in 1994.
The Arkansas School Boards Association Educational Foundation Scholarship Program benefits the families of ASBA-affiliated Arkansas school board members. Recipients must attend two-year or four-year institutions of higher education.
Six scholarships are awarded annually, one from each of the state’s four congressional districts; the Marshall Hughes Scholarship, which is named in honor of former Beardsley Public Finance employee Marshall R. Hughes and is awarded to an overall statewide winner; and one at-large named the J.K. Williams Memorial Scholarship in honor of a longtime educator and former ASBA Executive Director. A committee assigned by the ASBA Board of Directors reviews scholarship applications and determines awardees. Awards are made before the fall school term.
NOTE: Congressional districts are based on the location of the central administration office of the school district.
Click here to view the Educational Foundation brochure, which includes a donation card.
Scholarship Program
Five Freshman Scholarships will be offered to freshmen entering two-year or four-year institutions of higher education. The Freshman Scholarship awards are based on a student’s academic record and leadership potential. Each one-time congressional Freshman Scholarship is $2,500, and the Marshall Hughes Scholarship is $5,000.
A one-time $2,500 scholarship, the J.K. Williams Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of former ASBA Executive Director J.K. Williams, is awarded to the board member, or spouse, sons/daughters/grandchildren/legal wards, immediate family members of ASBA-affiliated Arkansas school board members and who is currently at least a junior in college pursuing a degree in the field of education at an institution of higher education at the time of submitting their application.
The related board member must serve on his/her local school board at some time during the school year in which the scholarship is awarded. The scholarship selection committee will evaluate applications based on:
Academic performance
Demonstrated leadership
Community involvement
Extracurricular activities
Special talents or unique endeavors
Future educational and career plans
Freshman Applications must be submitted electronically and include:
Completed ASBA Educational Foundation Scholarship Application
Two letters of recommendation (one each) from a teacher, administrator, clergy, employer, or a member of the community
Student’s official transcript (seven semesters) with grade point average, class ranking, and college entrance scores included and signed by a school official
An essay of no more than 500 words written by the student expressing goals, future plans, past activities, life/educational influences, and a statement about how the scholarship would help the student to achieve his/her education and goals
Résumé prepared by the student
Recent photo of the student
J.K. Williams Applications must be submitted electronically and include:
Completed ASBA Educational Foundation J.K. Williams Scholarship Application
Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, college advisor, or member of the community
Student’s official college transcript
Essay (500 words or less) written by the student applicant expressing goals, future plans, past activities, life/educational influences, and a statement about how the scholarship would help the student to achieve his/her education and goals
Résumé prepared by the student
Recent photo of the student
The deadline for scholarship applications is March 1 of the student's college entry year, except when March 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, in which case the deadline shifts to the following Monday.
Entering freshmen: Apply for the Freshman Scholarship.
Criteria and instructions for submitting the Freshman Scholarship application may be accessed HERE.
Current college juniors or higher seeking a degree in education: Apply for the J.K. Williams Scholarship
Criteria and instructions for submission of the J.K. Williams Memorial Scholarship may be accessed HERE.