High School Partnerships

Franciscan High School Advantage Program

Applications for admission to Franciscan High School Advantage with partnered schools for the 2026 Spring Semester must be returned on or before September 30, 2025.

 

The Advantage of a Franciscan Education

Several high schools—including Chesterton Schools Network, Kolbe Academy, and Homeschool Connections—have partnered with Franciscan University. Students earn credit by taking courses at their high school that are aligned with Franciscan University’s curriculum and successfully completing college-level examinations. 

These courses are taught in the student’s own classrooms by their high school teachers so that students earn both high school and college credit.

View Franciscan High School Advantage Courses.

 

Eligibility Requirements

  1. Minimum age of 16
  2. Enrolled in high school as a junior or senior
  3. Posses a cumulative 2.4 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale)

 

Contact

Mr. Thomas J. Costello

Program Manager for the Franciscan University High School Advantage Program

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 740-283-6230

 

Students: Speak to your headmaster or principal about applying to the Franciscan High School Advantage Partnership program.

Headmasters and principals: Please contact Tom Costello for more information on partnerships.

Documents to download:

Frequently Asked Questions

Download the FAQs Here

What is the Franciscan Advantage Program?

  • The Franciscan Advantage Program will allow qualified students to enroll in Franciscan courses that align to their existing high school curriculum (Philosophy and Theology), prior to high school graduation.
  • Eliminates geographic barriers to Franciscan University learning and resources.
  • Decreases the cost of a Franciscan University education to families.
  • Enhances the access to Franciscan University education and formation for students and families.

Who will teach these courses?

  • The students’ high school teachers will teach the course.
  • These students will be concurrently enrolled in a Franciscan Advantage course and will complete Franciscan assessments.
  • Direct instruction between Franciscan University faculty and the high school students is limited.

Where/when will these courses be taught?

  • These courses will be taught in the high school during the normal school day.
  • Students are enrolled concurrently in the high school class and the Franciscan class.

What is the cost?

  • As a result of the partnership between Franciscan University and high schools across the nation, Franciscan Advantage Partnership course tuition is $150 per credit hour.
  • This will be billed directly by Franciscan University.

How many credits may a student earn?

  • Currently, students may earn up to 29 credits at Franciscan University prior to high school graduation.
  • Students earn grades and an offificial transcript.

How will student learning be evaluated by Franciscan?

  • Franciscan University faculty will create a mid-term exam and final exam.
  • This exam will be administered on the University’s learning management system during the normal school day. Students will need to use two-factor authentication for security purposes.

Where can I use these Franciscan credits?

  • Credits earned are immediately applied to Franciscan University. In most cases, credits earned at Franciscan are transferable to other colleges and universities. Each college or university has its own policies regarding transferability of credits. Each college or university has its own policies regarding transferability of credits.
  • Each student may request a transcript with grades and credits earned.

What are the timelines for the application registration, drop, and withdraw?

  • Priority course registration must be completed NO LATER than September 30, 2025.
  • The last day to offificially DROP a course is Wednesday January 21st, 2026. This allows for 100% refund and no record on transcripts.
  • The last day to offificially WITHDRAW from a course is Friday March 27th, 2026. This allows for 50% refund and a “W” on transcripts but does not impact GPA.

What other benefits are available for the students?

  • Students who complete and pass one course automatically receive a $2,000 scholarship each year for four years at Franciscan University.
  • Students who complete and pass three courses are automatically accepted into Franciscan University.
  • Students can also take part in our unique Franciscan Life Online for community and faith formation.

What are the eligibility requirements?

  • The minimum age of 16.
  • Students who are in their junior or senior year of high school.
  • Possess a cumulative 2.4 GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Recommendation from the partnering high school.

Who is your point of contact at Franciscan University?

What is Franciscan University of Steubenville?

  • Franciscan University is one of only 15 Catholic universities endorsed by the Cardinal Newman Society.
  • Franciscan University was founded in 1946 by friars of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance.
  • Franciscan University integrates excellent academic programs with a dynamic faith environment to serve 2,500 students from all 50 states and 17 countries on campus and an additional 900 students online.
  • Franciscan University offers 45 undergraduate degrees, 12 graduate programs, and 17 online programs.

About Franciscan University

Franciscan University is one of the premier faithfully Catholic universities in the world. At Franciscan, every member of the community embraces the call to dynamic orthodoxy through education, evangelization, and sending forth joyful disciples. Students at Franciscan seize the opportunity to serve the Church and transform the world as they’re empowered to pursue their vocations through the power of the Holy Spirit.