FAQ

General

Villanova and Cabrini have always shared a common foundation—a faith-based academic mission. Villanova, grounded in our Augustinian tradition, and Cabrini, inspired by Mother Cabrini, both emphasize “educating the mind and heart.” In that spirit, Cabrini leadership reached out to Villanova, as they were in search of a fellow faith-based higher education institution to help address their significant financial challenges.

As the higher education landscape continues to evolve, Villanova University regularly considers options to enhance our mission, ministry, and educational offerings.  There will come a point when we can start to contemplate the potential opportunities this agreement, formed in mutual respect, creates for Villanova.  At this point in time, however, we are completely focused on fulfilling our commitment, as envisioned in the agreement, to honor and preserve the Cabrini legacy.

As a fellow Catholic mission-based institution, we hold Cabrini University’s mission-centered approach to higher education in high regard and believe that our shared faith, common values and aligned missions to support Catholic, whole person education make this a very strong alignment of like-minded institutions.

Currently, we have an agreement in principle and are highly confident that it will be finalized in the near future. Once finalized, both institutions need to seek approval from its accreditor and other regulatory agencies.

We are working on ways to incorporate the Cabrini name and mission into specific initiatives at Villanova. The specific details of how the Cabrini campus will be incorporated into Villanova are still being determined

Yes, very much so! Both institutions value and work to foster what Mother Cabrini called the “education of the heart” by encouraging active engagement, critical thinking, life-long learning and moral reflection as well as a focus on service leadership to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. We share a commitment to academic excellence through the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge, and to social responsibility, particularly for the marginalized.  We respect and welcome a community of individuals with different faiths, cultures and backgrounds and focus on maximizing individual growth and potential through the education of the whole person—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, culturally, socially and physically.

At Villanova, we value the contributions and teachings of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini and are aligned with the desire to provide “an education of the heart” by encouraging active engagement, critical thinking, life-long learning and moral reflection as well as a focus on service leadership to build a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Specific details are still being finalized and will be shared with our community as soon as it is possible.

Student & Parents

No, Cabrini University’s 2023/24 academic year will continue as planned with a robust set of course offerings and a focus on celebrating our history, mission, ministry, and legacy. 

In preparation for the 2024/25 academic year, Cabrini and Villanova will share counseling and resources to support Cabrini students to develop individualized transfer plans enabling them to complete their degrees.




In preparation for the 2024/25 academic year, Cabrini and Villanova will share counseling and resources to support Cabrini students to develop individualized transfer plans enabling them to complete their degrees. 

 

For those students who are interested in finding an academic home at Villanova, we are developing an expedited, fee-free review process to enable rapid decisions around enrollment and financial aid for the 2024/25 academic year.

 

At Villanova, we are committed to eliminating the barriers faced by underrepresented groups in accessing higher education and strive to create a campus culture that cultivates a sense of belonging for all. Villanova’s Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA) works to recruit, retain, and graduate underrepresented, first-generation, and Pell Eligible students through holistic support in a culturally diverse and academically excellent environment.

In preparation for the 2024/25 academic year, Cabrini and Villanova will share counseling and resources to support Cabrini students to develop individualized transfer plans enabling them to complete their degrees. Cabrini University is committed to finding every student an academic home for the 2024/25 academic year suited to their unique path and needs—one that readies them for lifelong success both personally and professionally. 

 

Throughout this upcoming year, Cabrini’s Center for Student Success will work with each student directly to develop individualized transfer plans  to local colleges or universities best aligned to the student’s program of study offering the best opportunities for academic, personal, and career success.

 

For those students who are interested in finding an academic home at Villanova, we are developing an expedited, fee-free review process to enable rapid decisions around enrollment and financial aid for the 2024/25 academic year.




Nothing will change for Villanova students this year. Once an agreement has been finalized, we will begin our strategic planning around the Cabrini campus. We will update you as more information becomes available.

No. At this time, Cabrini and Villanova are operating independently.

Athletics

Cabrini athletic teams will continue their sports as planned for the upcoming 2023/24 academic year to the fullest extent possible.

No. For the next year during the transition, the campus will continue to be used only by Cabrini students, faculty and staff.

Faculty

As you can imagine, conversations with Cabrini leadership were very sensitive and governed by legally binding confidentiality provisions. The leadership of Faculty Congress were confidentially informed of these discussions within one day of notification to Villanova’s Board of Trustees under a binding non-disclosure agreement. We look forward to working with our faculty on the opportunities this agreement provides Villanova. Villanova faculty will continue to play critical roles in hiring and promotion, as well as program design, instruction, and assessment efforts.
We look forward to working with our key stakeholders, including faculty, in alignment with our commitment to shared governance.
No, but this agreement requires Villanova submitting a Complex Substantive Change Form for approval by Middle States.

Alumni & Donors

Villanova has agreed to honor key events important to Cabrini alumni, and when occasions arise that give Villanovans the opportunity to extend a hand of friendship and inclusion, we’ll certainly welcome Cabrini alums to campus.

No. Alumni Benefits will remain the same.

Donations will not be used for renovations/infrastructure unless specifically designated as such by the donor. After the 2023-24 academic year, some Villanova programming may begin to take place on the Cabrini campus, and maintaining the campus will become Villanova’s responsibility. It’s important to note that  Villanova is making an investment to enhance the university and its offerings. We will continue to be excellent stewards of donations to Villanova throughout this transition.

Community

Villanova will work with local township officials to find an initial opportunity to share information with residents and answer questions. As this process moves forward, we will continue to identify ways to share updates, address concerns and meet with members of the community.

Villanova has a long tradition of serving the community in various ways, including special programming and providing access to campus facilities on a space available basis. We look forward to exploring the programs and services that Cabrini currently offers and identifying ways to continue meeting the needs of the community where possible.   

Villanova recognizes that, just like its main campus, the Cabrini campus is located within a residential community. The University prioritizes its role as a good neighbor and has dedicated significant resources to both proactive communications with those who live near campus and to quickly addressing concerns that arise.

Cabrini’s 2023/24 academic year will continue as planned. Moving forward, Villanova will be careful and deliberate in its approach, prioritizing its commitment to being a good neighbor.

Any students enrolled in any of these programs in 2023/24 will be able to complete coursework and earn credit.

Timeline

The agreement in principle has been agreed upon. There are other steps that must take place, including with regulators and accreditors. We are confident moving forward.

Cabrini will continue its operations as normal through the 2023/24 academic year. As the agreement is finalized, Villanova will review all Cabrini facilities as it considers the best way to incorporate them into the Villanova campus and utilize them for the benefit of our students, faculty, and staff.

Cabrini will continue its operations as normal through the 2023/24 academic year. Beyond that, the specific details of how the Cabrini campus will be incorporated into Villanova are still being determined. Any programs will not, however, be put into place until after Cabrini concludes operations.

Financial

Villanova and Cabrini enter this agreement in part because of the strong alignment between our educational and spiritual missions. Beyond that, specific details are still being finalized.

Villanova is financially healthy, is currently rated by Standards and Poor’s as AA- with a stable outlook and by Moody’s Investors Service as Aa3 with a stable outlook. As a result, we have a number of options to finance this arrangement.
As demand for a Villanova education continues to grow, this agreement may give us the opportunity to serve more students and broaden our academic offerings without compromising class sizes and faculty-student ratios. The Board agrees that this was a sound financial investment.

No, any agreement we reach will complement the goals we developed together as a community in our Strategic Plan, Rooted. Restless.

As Cabrini transitions its operations, Villanova is providing short-term financial assistance to cover operating revenue shortfalls at Cabrini. Cabrini is working diligently to maintain the budget discipline that it has practiced over the past year. As part of Villanova’s due diligence, we did stress-test various changes in revenue assumptions and are comfortable with the arrangement and believe it is in the best interests of Villanova.

Villanova is financially healthy and is currently rated by Standard and Poor’s as AA- with a stable outlook and by Moody’s Investors Service as Aa3 with a stable outlook. We do not expect our current operations to be negatively impacted during the transition. In fact, we believe that this agreement presents opportunities which will only strengthen our financial position in the long-term.

Cabrini is committed to maintaining its accreditation through the transition. At a certain point in time, Cabrini will no longer be an independent institution and will not be separately accredited.