ADRIAN, Mich.—A partnership agreement between Toledo Central Catholic High School and Siena Heights University will allow qualified CCHS graduates to receive financial aid and scholarships.

The students are guaranteed a minimum of $5,000 in financial aid and additional dedicated scholarship commitments that could total more than $500,000. Toledo Central Catholic is the first high school in Ohio to sign such a partnership with Siena Heights, which is located about 35 miles northwest of Toledo in Adrian, Mich.

“Central is always concerned about how we can help our students, and when this opportunity with Siena Heights came about, we just thought ‘why not pursue this?’ ” says CCHS President Father Dennis Hartigan.

“Signing this partnership is a good thing for our students,” he continues. “It gives them an opportunity to do something they otherwise might not be able to afford. We hope this will create a very long partnership between our two institutions. Being a Catholic high school, to be able to partner with a Catholic university with the heritage that Siena Heights University has, that’s really great for our school. The potential for our students is wonderful.”

“Partnering with Toledo Central Catholic High School just made sense on a variety of levels,” says SHU President Adrian Dominican Sister Peg Albert. “Both Central Catholic and Siena Heights have a long history of collaborating with the community. And our Catholic identity and tradition is another common bond. What this partnership does is formalize our relationship. I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Under the partnership that runs until Sept. 1, 2012, Central Catholic students who attend Siena Heights on a full-time basis following their high school graduation are eligible for several designated scholarships, including:

• two Trustee Scholarships ($10,000 per student per academic year);

• five Presidential Scholarships ($8,500);

• five Dean’s Scholarships ($6,000);

•five Siena Honor Scholarships ($4,000); and

• up to five Siena Catholic High School Grants ($3,000) for qualified students attending directly from CCHS.

For students who do not qualify for an above listed merit scholarship, there is a guaranteed minimum amount of $5,000 in Siena Heights University institutional financial aid for any qualified (regular admission criteria) CCHS graduate. The amount is inclusive of athletic grants.

“We are excited to have developed a partnership with Central Catholic that builds on that tradition and creates a seamless transition to Siena Heights University,” says SHU Vice President of Enrollment Management Frank Hribar. “This partnership includes early admission and dual enrollment opportunities for students who want to get a jumpstart on their college education, more than $500,000 in designated scholarships for graduates who enroll at Siena Heights University, and professional development options for teachers and staff, drawing on the extensive faculty resources of Siena Heights. It is an agreement that manifests itself in the true spirit of collaboration.”

Siena Heights will also offer priority response for CCHS students in regard to admissions decisions, residence hall accommodations, financial aid and other student support services.

“It is a ‘win-win’ for both institutions,” Mr. Hribar says. “This will allow CCHS graduates greater access to a Siena education consistent with their Central Catholic experience that is often beyond financial possibility otherwise.”

For more information about the partnership or about any other scholarship opportunities at Siena Heights University, call 1-800-521-0009 or 517-264-7180. More details can also be found by visiting the Web site at www.sienaheights.edu.