EWU helping students affected by wildfires

The Carlton Complex of fires is nearly contained. Now, the toughest days are ahead, as families try and rebuild their lives after losing so much. Eastern Washington University is trying to help current and incoming students recover.

300 homes were lost in the flames of the Carlton Complex fire, from the town of Pateros up through the Methow Valley. Many of those families have insurance and will be able to rebuild and recover.

Eastern Washington University recognizes students about to head back to school may find themselves without the funds to pay because of the fires. EWU will send financial aid counselors to Okanogan County next week to meet with students and their families.

EWU says its identified 77 currently enrolled students and 88 of its incoming freshman and applicants as being from the Carlton Complex Fire region.

Although we have identified 165 students, we realize that there may be others impacted by this fire or by other recently developing situations,” said Dr. Neil Woolf, associate vice president of enrollment. “Assistance is available to any EWU student experiencing a financial hardship that would make returning to school challenging.”

Counselors will be at Okanogan High School Tuesday, August 12th from 9am-noon. Then, they’ll be at Omak Middle School from 1pm to 4pm the same day. The university is reaching out to students individually, but would like to speak to as many as possible, so they’re asking people to spread the word.

Also, the university has authorized $250,000 from the EWU Student Hardship Fund to help with tuition and housing for current and incoming students. For details on that and to make donations to that fund, visit this page