The West Virginia Independent Colleges & Universities Inc. (WVICU), a foundation for Independent Higher Education (FIHE) affiliated state association, will distribute $24,300 in UPS Scholarship funds to nine private colleges and universities in West Virginia. FIHE awarded more than $1.6 million in scholarships from its UPS Educational Endowment Fund to private institutions of higher learning across the nation. These scholarships are awarded annually to students selected as UPS Scholars.

Members of WVICU include all nine not-for-profit higher education institutions: Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, Appalachian Bible College in Bradley, Bethany College in Bethany; Davis & Elkins College in Elkins; Mountain State University in Beckley; Ohio Valley University in Vienna; University of Charleston, West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon and Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling.

The UPS Educational Endowment Fund, which is held and administered by FIHE, was initiated through endowment gifts from the UPS Foundation totaling $2 million and is now valued at $32 million.

Since its inception, this fund has awarded more than $44 million in scholarship support to more than 15,000 students nationwide.

In announcing the scholarships, Ken Sternad, president of The UPS Foundation, said, "Our young people, our communities and our workforce all benefit from the increased educational opportunities that FIHE provides. The UPS Foundation is proud to continue our longstanding partnership with FIHE to support the deserving students whose education these scholarships fund."