POINT PLEASANT — The Pleasant Valley Hospital Health Foundation Scholar Program provides financial assistance to local students preparing for careers in healthcare.

The Foundation initiated the financial aid program in the late 1980’s recognizing the serious shortage of healthcare professionals that existed throughout the nation, including the Upper Ohio Valley and the state of West Virginia. Today, with the increasing cost of higher education, there is more need than ever. The PVH Health Foundation Board is pleased to be able to offer this assistance to local residents while also encouraging our best and brightest students to return to our community to provide the best healthcare for the next generation. To date, more than 150 students have benefitted from the program.

To be eligible for financial assistance from the Pleasant Valley Hospital Health Foundation, an individual must be a resident of Mason County, West Virginia or Gallia County or Meigs County, Ohio, and have graduated or will graduate from an accredited high school or has a G.E.D. Certificate. Applicants must also show a letter of acceptance or admission to a certified area of study in a healthcare field at an accredited institution of higher education in either West Virginia or Ohio and be enrolled as a full time student.

Local high school guidance counselors have applications, according to George Miller, foundation chairman. Applications can also be picked up at the registration desk in the main lobby of Pleasant Valley Hospital or by calling Georgianna Tillis at 304-675-4340, ext. 1423, or via email at gtillis@pvalley.org.

Letters of reference from two people familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or employment history, as well as school transcripts must also be sent to the PVH Health Foundation, c/o Georgianna Tillis at 2520 Valley Drive, Point Pleasant, WV 25550. Applications must be received by the Foundation no later than Friday, April 6, 2012.