PARKERSBURG — Students at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are able to apply and determine eligibility for emergency grants to assist with unexpected financial challenges such as food, technology and child care related to COVID-19.

“We tried to make the application easy and flexible as possible so that we can help as many students as possible,” said WVUP President Chris Gilmer.

Fully-admitted students who are currently enrolled in at least one course in the Spring 2020 semester at WVU-Parkersburg and eligible to participate in programs under FAFSA, can apply for a CARES emergency student grant. However, there are those that aren’t eligible to receive funds, such as foreign-exchange or those doing only online courses as of the start of the semester. Those that are eligible can find the application on the university’s website.

Gilmer said he encourages all students to apply.

WVUP was awarded $1.7 million, half of which is going directly to the students, the other half will be for the institution, according to Gilmer.

The funding was made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The priority application deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday, May 8. CARES emergency grant funds will be distributed to qualifying students as quickly as possible.

“I want to stress the need for technologic upgrades our students have had to take on to finish their classes,” said Gilmer. “Everyone had to transfer to online courses, many had to buy programs that school computers had access to or upgrade their systems to be able to continue their work.”

The college has made the decision to keep classes online only for the summer semester as well, aside from a very few select courses, such as welding, that would be difficult to function completely online.

“We will begin to phase in the business operations of the college this summer, but we do not want to rush into it,” said Gilmer.

He said the college anticipates a normal fall semester, but that is subject to change.

WVUP has more than 3,000 students, according to Gilmer.

“We are continuing on the side of caution, are following the national and state guidelines and want to continue social distancing as long as needed to keep our staff and students safe.”

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com