In the wake of tornadoes that killed two in the towns of Chapman and Soldier, and damaged buildings in Manhattan, Kansas University is offering to help students from the affected areas.

KU is offering students from Dickinson, Jackson and Riley counties the option to defer summer or fall tuition payments until later in the year. Students affected by the tornadoes may contact the university financial aid office if they need assistance with emergency or unanticipated expenses.

Students must qualify for the waiver and must complete a form available on the university bursar’s Web site.

“The last thing we want students impacted by the storms to have to worry about now is their tuition payments,” said Chancellor Robert Hemenway.

In a statement, the university said the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success is reaching out to students to see how it can help them. Thirteen KU students are from Chapman, and several hundred call Manhattan home.

KU also offered Kansas State University, which suffered more than $20 million in damage, whatever resources it could provide, including police officers, and construction and facilities personnel and equipment.