Fresno Pacific University Reaches Out to Students Affected by Katrina

College and university students displaced by Hurricane Katrina can continue their education at Fresno Pacific University.

FPU is waiving tuition and housing fees and setting up a special fund to help with other needs. “We have limited room in our classes and dorms, and some faculty and staff will open their homes to students if necessary,” said President D. Merrill Ewert.

be considered. University admissions and financial aid staff will work with each student to qualify them for admission, transfer whatever federal and state aid they are eligible for and assess any other needs they may have. All students are welcome, but due to limited space, students from California will get first priority.

The university also established a relief fund to cover books, clothing and other needs. Any contributions not used by displaced students at FPU will be sent to help other students affected by the hurricane. “Every dollar will go to help a student,” Ewert said.

“People ask why we’re getting involved—that’s easy, it’s who we are,” Ewert said. “The extraordinary destruction of Hurricane Katrina has disrupted the lives and plans of many students and shut down whole universities. This created great needs. Our mission is to respond to human need.”

It is in students’ best interest to be in Fresno and ready to begin class by Monday, September 12. That is the first day of the third week of our semester. Students arriving after that may find their program closed, or have a more difficult time catching up with class work. This program will be offered throughout the 2005-2006 school year, so students can also come on board in the spring.

To apply, students or their parents or guardians can call FPU’s toll-free Hurricane Admissions Hotline at 1-800-660-6089.