The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), (formerly known as University College of the Fraser Valley) was founded in 1974 as the Fraser Valley College. The college was the response to the communities in the Fraser Valley needing expanded vocational training. In 1988, it became a university college, with degree-granting status. As the University College of the Fraser Valley, it grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest university colleges in Canada. In recognition of the growing needs for higher education within the region and in the province, the provincial government granted full university status on 21 April 2008. Student enrollment is now over 20,000 students annually.