PARKERSBURG — The local Marshall University alumni chapter is seeking applicants for its annual scholarships.

After a small number of applications last year, members of the Marshall University Alumni and Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley are hoping to make the process a little easier.

“This year we’re going a little bit more high tech,” said Bert Webb, scholarship coordinator.

Applications for the Rising Herd Scholarship Fund, for students planning to attend Marshall University, can be submitted electronically by scanning the accompanying QR code or visiting https://sites.google.com/view/mov-rising-herd-scholarship/home. Students – including those who are still determining their college plans – can get the ball rolling by submitting their contact information then uploading their supporting documents by the March 6 deadline.

The website also links to Marshall’s scholarship portal, where students can apply for other financial assistance.

Those who prefer can still download and print a paper application and submit it by mail to Marshall University Alumni & Big Green Chapter of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Attn: H. Webb, Jr., 27 Wyndham Knob, Parkersburg, WV 26104. Mailed applications must be postmarked by March 6.

The scholarships are open to full-time incoming freshmen at Marshall who attended high school in Wood, Washington, Wirt, Doddridge, Pleasants, Ritchie or Tyler counties. The scholarships are generally for $1,000, although when application numbers are down, up to $2,000 has been awarded, said Ed Hofmann, the chapter’s treasurer.

“Our main purpose here, besides helping kids have a better future, is we want to show kids there’s a way to get a great education, to find a great career, right here in Parkersburg, in Wood County, the whole Mid-Ohio Valley,” Webb said. “They don’t have to leave to find that.”

Hofmann said the group has been raising funds for scholarships since 2009 and has provided 125 scholarships with a total value of $150,000. They’ve also endowed a scholarship for a Mid-Ohio Valley upperclassman through the Marshall University Foundation for up to $50,000.

It’s all funded by the chapter’s annual fundraiser dinner. This year’s is scheduled for Thursday, April 3, at Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna. New football coach Tony Gibson will be the keynote speaker, with Marshall President Brad Smith also slated to make remarks. Entertainment to be provided by Holly Forbes, a top 10 finisher on Season 21 of “The Voice.”

Tickets go on sale soon and can be obtained by contacting Hofmann at 304-488-6367, chapter President Laurie Martin at 304-488-3297 or Mary Hendershot at 304-972-1890