WVU Parkersburg leads the state with highest number of part-time students in HEAPS grant program; institution receives $267,536 to disburse for 2007-2008.

CONTACT:  August Kafer, financial aid director, 304-424-8210.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More part-time students at West Virginia University at Parkersburg receive state grant funding than at any other institution in West Virginia.

The Parkersburg campus leads the state with the highest number of participants in West Virginia's grant program for part-time students.  A total of 904 WVU Parkersburg students received Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) funds last year. 

It is the highest number of part-time students in the HEAPS' program of all public and private institutions of higher education and vocational centers.  Marshall University is second with 858 HEAPS' students and West Virginia University is third with 793.

WVU Parkersburg has received $267,536 for 2007-2008 to disburse to eligible part-time students.  It is the most HEAPS' funds awarded to an institution. 

The 904 total represents West Virginia resident, undergraduate HEAP's recipients who are seeking a degree and taking less than 12 credit hours at WVU Parkersburg, explained Bob Long, financial aid manager for the WV Higher Education Policy Commission.  The number is used to calculate the percentage of funds allocated to each participating institution in the HEAPS program, Long noted.

Purpose of the HEAPS program is to encourage needy West Virginia students who desire to continue their education on a part-time basis at the post-secondary level.

"We have a strong commitment to our part-time students," said WVU Parkersburg President Marie Foster Gnage. 

"We know that many of them are juggling family and work responsibilities to pursue a college education," she continued.  "The HEAPS program enables eligible part-time students to attain a degree or gain new skills and knowledge."

Involved in the grant program are 29 WV public and private colleges and universities and 18 vocational institutions.  A total of 10,863 students received HEAPS funds statewide last year. 

Additional information about HEAPS' eligibility criteria is available by contacting WVU Parkersburg's financial aid office, 424-8210.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203, Office)
(304-424-8315, Fax)

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