The West Virginia University Office of Financial Aid is reaching out to some 3,800 WVU students in counties affected by the recent floods as well as those in areas dealt a similar fate from flash flooding in May.

“We are interested, of course, in helping these students come back to school and get back on their feet,”said Ken Sears, associate director of Financial Aid.

Sears said the WVU Financial Aid office already has received some calls, but he expects to hear from many more students from the approximately 20 flood-affected West Virginia counties.

“We are interested in talking to families who have lost their business, job or source of income to see if they may be eligible for financial assistance,”Sears said.

Students who expect to have difficulty either enrolling at WVU this fall or returning as a result of the recent flooding should contact the WVU Financial Aid Office at 1-800-344-WVU1 Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. for information and advice. Callers will be asked for basic information, such as social security number, home address and home telephone number.

Students who have not yet applied for financial aid will be sent a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and additional information and instructions. Students who have already applied using the FAFSA form will be mailed information and further instructions.

Students also may apply for financial aid on the internet atwww.fafsa.ed.gov.

Meanwhile, WVU s Extension Service is continuing its assistance to flood ravaged areas. Donated supplies can be delivered to Extension’s Federal Excess Property Warehouse, 130 Tower Lane. Several truckloads of supplies have already made their way to southern West Virginia.

For more information about Extensions flood relief efforts, contact the Office of Extension Human Resources at 304-293-4555, or Extension Communications, 304-293-4221 Ext. 3416.