SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY
Parent Information
OVERVIEW
Your family is our family's top priority.
Here at Saint Francis University, we are always available to help families make it through the transition smoothly.
Whether it's through residence life, student health, safety & security, or technology, we provide services that help you and your child focus on what's important: academics.
Get Ready to SOAR!
Summer Orientation and Academic Registration
Summer Orientation and Academic Registration is the official beginning of your son or daughter's life as a student at Saint Francis University. During SOAR, your family will be introduced to the many academic and student-support resources that are available to your family.
SOAR will provide you with everything your son or daughter needs to successfully start their SFU experience!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Admissions Timeline for Parents
Is a member of your family, looking to join ours? This admissions timeline will help you keep it all on track.
Click here to download and print a pdf version of our timeline!
Getting Started!
August:
- Application for Admission Opens – admissions decisions are processed on a rolling basis (with the exception of the Physician Assistant program)
October/November:
- Visit Campus or Attend an Open House Event
December:
- Apply for Financial Aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
- Admission decisions for the Physician Assistant program are released.
March:
- Attend your Accepted Student Day Event!
- Your Student Accounts and Pre-Registration Opens (for deposited students ONLY).
April/ May:
- Tuition Deposits Due!
June:
- Attend your Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) day!
- Meet your academic advisor
- Receive your fall schedule of classes
- Receive your Student ID
August:
- Attend Freshman Check- In/Move-In & New Student Orientation!
Welcome to the Red Flash Family!
FAQ's
-
Will my student have an academic advisor?
The primary purpose of the academic advising program is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans which are compatible with their life goals. At Saint Francis University, academic advising is viewed as a continuous process of clarification and evaluation. The Center for Academic Success and First-Year Experience works in conjunction with the academic advisor and the student to help support educational needs and goals. The office is open to all students as an additional and/or supplemental academic resource.
As part of the University’s First-Year Advising Program, entering students are assigned to advisors during the Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) Program the summer prior to their freshman year. These academic advisors help students with academic and transition issues by providing guidance and support throughout their freshman year.
Individual academic advising conferences are available to students each semester. The advisor will review and utilize and available data about the student’s academic and educational needs, performance, goals, and problems. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the student. The advisor will assist by helping to identify and assess alternatives and the consequences of decisions.If you need additional help beyond your assigned academic advisor, individual and walk-in appointments are available at the Center of Academics Success & First Year Experience in Saint Francis Hall.
-
Do we need to apply for financial aid every year?
Yes!
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year using updated tax information to be considered for maximum institutional, federal and state eligibility. Merit based financial aid is renewed annually provided the students adheres to the terms and conditions of the award.
-
Does my student need to have health insurance
Yes.
All full-time students must have health insurance. They can be covered under parent or spouse insurance plans, under their own plan or they can enroll in Saint Francis University's student health insurance plan. The student will be given information at the beginning of the fall semester on the University's health insurance plan. It will be up to the student to decide if the University's plan is the right option for them.
Students are required to either enroll or waive in the Saint Francis University health insurance EACH year.
-
What resources are available for non-Catholic students?
The Campus Ministry Department provides worship and prayer along with fellowship and service opportunities for members of all faith traditions. A non-denominational Christian Praise and Worship Service is offered on campus every Sunday. There are also numerous quaint locations on campus for quiet prayer and reflection including a spiritual wellness room in the DiSepio Institute. Fellowship opportunities exist such as Cru, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Bible study.
Our Peer Ministry program consists of students who are witnesses to their Christian faith. They provide pastoral care and retreats, prayer and service opportunities to fellow students. This group of dynamic young people host roughly one-hundred and thirty programs per year including four to five retreats which are open to all university students.
A newer addition to the faith life on campus is the F.I.S.H. (Faith Inspired Student Housing) program. This living and learning community provides an opportunity where Christian students can strive for healthy, balanced, interpersonal relationships and challenge each other to develop spiritually, emotionally and academically. Those students involved in the faith based housing program offer various programs throughout the year.
-
Can my student have a car on campus & what is the cost for a parking permit?
Yes, your child can have a car on campus. However we encourage freshman to carefully consider their need for a vehicle. Parking is limited and parking is assigned upon obtaining a Saint Francis University parking permit. Permits for resident students are $130 per year. Commuter rates are $110 per year.
-
My student does not have a car. What transportation resources are available?
The Saint Francis University Transportation Services Program is available to assist students in connecting to local transportation centers for bus, train, or airline transportation to get back and forth from home during academic breaks (i.e. mid-semester breaks, Thanksgiving and Easter breaks, and beginning and end of academic semesters).
SFU Transportation regularly services the Johnstown/Cambria County Airport and the Altoona-Blair County Airport for flights and the Altoona Transportation Center for Amtrak train and Greyhound bus. Additionally, SFU Transportation also services the Pittsburgh International Airport. Low standard rates are charged for students who utilize regularly-scheduled shuttles; a more competitive, premium rate is charged for students who desire a more customized services outside the regular service.
Additional services provided by the Center for Student Engagement includes weeknight shopping to local stores including the Ebensburg Walmart, and shopping malls and plazas in both Johnstown and Altoona. This service is free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
-
Will my student be provided a laptop?
All full-time undergraduate students are required to purchase a laptop through the Laptop Program, which grants students access to the most up-to-date academic software, Internet, email, and printing services.
The primary purpose of the academic advising program is to assist students in the development of meaningful educational plans which are compatible with their life goals. At Saint Francis University, academic advising is viewed as a continuous process of clarification and evaluation. The Center for Academic Success and First-Year Experience works in conjunction with the academic advisor and the student to help support educational needs and goals. The office is open to all students as an additional and/or supplemental academic resource.
As part of the University’s First-Year Advising Program, entering students are assigned to advisors during the Summer Orientation and Academic Registration (SOAR) Program the summer prior to their freshman year. These academic advisors help students with academic and transition issues by providing guidance and support throughout their freshman year.
Individual academic advising conferences are available to students each semester. The advisor will review and utilize and available data about the student’s academic and educational needs, performance, goals, and problems. The ultimate responsibility for making decisions about life goals and educational plans rests with the student. The advisor will assist by helping to identify and assess alternatives and the consequences of decisions.If you need additional help beyond your assigned academic advisor, individual and walk-in appointments are available at the Center of Academics Success & First Year Experience in Saint Francis Hall.
Yes!
Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year using updated tax information to be considered for maximum institutional, federal and state eligibility. Merit based financial aid is renewed annually provided the students adheres to the terms and conditions of the award.
Yes.
All full-time students must have health insurance. They can be covered under parent or spouse insurance plans, under their own plan or they can enroll in Saint Francis University's student health insurance plan. The student will be given information at the beginning of the fall semester on the University's health insurance plan. It will be up to the student to decide if the University's plan is the right option for them.
Students are required to either enroll or waive in the Saint Francis University health insurance EACH year.
The Campus Ministry Department provides worship and prayer along with fellowship and service opportunities for members of all faith traditions. A non-denominational Christian Praise and Worship Service is offered on campus every Sunday. There are also numerous quaint locations on campus for quiet prayer and reflection including a spiritual wellness room in the DiSepio Institute. Fellowship opportunities exist such as Cru, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Bible study.
Our Peer Ministry program consists of students who are witnesses to their Christian faith. They provide pastoral care and retreats, prayer and service opportunities to fellow students. This group of dynamic young people host roughly one-hundred and thirty programs per year including four to five retreats which are open to all university students.
A newer addition to the faith life on campus is the F.I.S.H. (Faith Inspired Student Housing) program. This living and learning community provides an opportunity where Christian students can strive for healthy, balanced, interpersonal relationships and challenge each other to develop spiritually, emotionally and academically. Those students involved in the faith based housing program offer various programs throughout the year.
Yes, your child can have a car on campus. However we encourage freshman to carefully consider their need for a vehicle. Parking is limited and parking is assigned upon obtaining a Saint Francis University parking permit. Permits for resident students are $130 per year. Commuter rates are $110 per year.
The Saint Francis University Transportation Services Program is available to assist students in connecting to local transportation centers for bus, train, or airline transportation to get back and forth from home during academic breaks (i.e. mid-semester breaks, Thanksgiving and Easter breaks, and beginning and end of academic semesters).
SFU Transportation regularly services the Johnstown/Cambria County Airport and the Altoona-Blair County Airport for flights and the Altoona Transportation Center for Amtrak train and Greyhound bus. Additionally, SFU Transportation also services the Pittsburgh International Airport. Low standard rates are charged for students who utilize regularly-scheduled shuttles; a more competitive, premium rate is charged for students who desire a more customized services outside the regular service.
Additional services provided by the Center for Student Engagement includes weeknight shopping to local stores including the Ebensburg Walmart, and shopping malls and plazas in both Johnstown and Altoona. This service is free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
All full-time undergraduate students are required to purchase a laptop through the Laptop Program, which grants students access to the most up-to-date academic software, Internet, email, and printing services.
Saying goodbye is hard; but we make staying a family easy.
CAMPUS CALENDAR
Check out the events happening in our SFU community!
