Marian University to offer transfer assistance to Saint Joseph’s College students

Special to The Criterion

Marian University in Indianapolis is vowing to assist students at Saint Joseph’s College after the board of trustees at the northern Indiana school voted on Feb. 3 to suspend operations for the 2017-18 school year due to financial concerns.

In trying to help students at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Marian officials are offering what they call a “seamless transfer process,” including financial assistance that will guarantee that students will pay the same out-of-pocket tuition that they are now paying currently.

“The leadership at Saint Joseph’s College reached out and asked if we could prepare plans to assist their students with a smooth transition during this difficult period,” Marian University President Daniel Elsener said. “We consider Saint Joseph’s College a sister institution; we share the same mission. We want to help their students, staff and faculty in any way that we can.”

Elsener said that Marian University has established a section on its website—www.marian.edu/saintjoseph—where current and accepted Saint Joseph’s College students can find information about transferring. Admissions representatives from Marian planned to be on campus in Rensselaer to meet with Saint Joseph’s students on Feb. 9.

“We want to make the transfer process for Saint Joseph’s College students as seamless as possible,” Elsener said. “The sooner we can meet with students, provide them with the information they need, and answer their questions, the smoother the process will be. Our goal is for the students to earn their degree in the same amount of time it would have taken them to finish at Saint Joe’s.”

Marian University says it will honor all transfer credits earned with a minimum grade of C-. It will also offer financial assistance guaranteeing that students pay the same out-of-pocket tuition costs that they are currently paying at Saint Joseph’s College. Marian officials stated there will be a few exceptions, notably student‑athletes and students receiving tuition remission.

“We encourage student-athletes who want to continue competing intercollegiately to contact the Marian University coach of their sport,” Elsener said. “St. Joe’s student-athletes are welcome to compete for open spots on the roster. Even if there isn’t an opportunity for them to compete at Marian, we will work to develop financial aid packages that fit each individual financial situation.”

Elsener said student-athletes can find contact information for Marian University coaches at www.muknights.com/staff.php.

“There is a long road ahead for our friends at Saint Joseph’s College, and I want to offer prayers and support as they navigate a path forward,” Elsener said. “We will do all that we can to help within our financial, accreditation and academic limits, and we hope that we will see Saint Joseph’s College emerge from this difficult time as a sustainable and dynamic institution of Catholic higher education.” †