By Natasha Muhametzyanova, Contributing Writer
Are you a music major who plays a bass instrument? Or are you a rising senior studying dental hygiene? There are various scholarships available for multiple majors. You might be eligible for additional scholarships from West Liberty University Foundation.
WLU Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in late 1960s with the purpose of raising funds for scholarships and capital projects on campus. WLU Foundation works in cooperation with the Institutional Advancement Office and the Alumni Office to provide students with scholarships that do not depend on their financial aid status.
“Our mission as a university is to make education more affordable,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Jason Koegler. “We work hard on keeping tuition low. Unfortunately, with the state funding gradually decreasing, the cost of tuition cannot stay the same. That’s why Foundation is so important for us. It brings funds from private donors and helps eligible students to cover some of their expenses.”
Koegler pointed out that Foundation’s work becomes only more vital these days. “In 1980, 60 percent of our budget came from West Virginia. Now we only get 17 percent. Working with our alumni and friends, we not only fund our students but also create new facilities on campus,” Koegler said.
According to the WLU Financial Aid Services, 184 students received Foundation scholarships for 2017-18 academic year. Students can be eligible for these scholarships based on their majors, year in school, involvement in varsity sports and more. Currently, there are 125 foundation scholarships available, and each has its own set of requirements.
“When people establish scholarships, they often want to help students in their field of study or to those with similar interests,” Koegler said. “Many alumni donate money in honor of their favorite professors. Some want to help local students to get education. People donate for many reasons, that is why our scholarship requirements are so diverse.”
“Most of our donors are local. We also get a lot of support from WLU alumni chapter in Florida. Foundation is expanding its reach to alumni chapters in other states. We also receive donations from our international alumni from Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Canada,” Koegler said.
To make information easily available for students, WLU Foundation recently launched a new website. To find out more about scholarships or to donate to WLU Foundation, visit its website.
Photo credit: Lindsay Dowdle
