The Barbara Murphy Single Parent Scholarship was founded in 2019 and is awarded annually in October at our Scholarship Celebration. Jim and Nancy Murphy created this scholarship in honor of Jim’s mother, Barbara, which provides an additional scholarship to a single parent who is balancing recovery, parenting, and education. These funds can be used for anything that will help ease the burdens of single parents.
2025 Awardees Mandy J., LaWanda J., and Julie C.
BARBARA MURPHY AWARDEES
Julie C., 2025
Mandy J., 2025
LaWanda J., 2025
Heather J., 2024
Bevin W., 2024
Alyson E., 2023
Christopher B., 2022
Erica B., 2022
Mikie B., 2021
Jamie K., 2020
Elizabeth D., 2019
How Can I Apply?
The Barbara Murphy Single Parent Scholarship is available to individuals awarded a general program scholarship. You do not need to fill out a separate application for this scholarship, but you must meet these criteria:
1. You must be a single parent. A single parent is defined in this instance as an individual who is the primary caretaker of a child(ren) under the age of 18, living in their home at least 50% of the time, and who does not have a spouse or partner.
2. You have a financial need and could use extra funds. Your answers in the financial section of your application determine this.
3. You have a strong recovery program, as evidenced by your answers on your application.
The best way to be considered for this scholarship is to demonstrate on your application and in your interview that you meet the criteria to be considered by the committee. This scholarship is awarded during the student program before the Scholarship Gala in October. The scholarship can be used for school, childcare, or any other expenses that will relieve the financial burden of being a single parent.
For more questions about this scholarship, contact Rachel Jones at 314.719.2880 or via email.
Words cannot explain the gratitude and joy I have for you all. When I received the Barbara Murphy Scholarship, the week prior was so overwhelming, and I was about to throw in the towel while asking myself “Why am I even doing all this, and what is the point anyways?”
But God threw the towel back at me and said, “Keep going Erica….I got you!” Only for me to turn around and unexpectedly be rewarded with the Barbara Murphy Scholarship! Whenever the “stinking thinking” tries to discourage me all I have to do is think about that night alone and everything changes; the drive, motivation, determination, and hard work. Now, I can answer my own question, “This is why I am continuing, this is why I cannot quit, no matter what!” This organization and the many people I have met along the way are very dear to me and I probably would not be sitting here working on my final research project if it wasn’t for you.
Erica B.