Non-Profit Private
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Cromwell, Connecticut
Holy Apostles College and Seminary — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
3.79Avg GPA
$20,740Annual Cost
16.2%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
3.79
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
Need-Based Aid
16.2% receive Pell
Holy Apostles College and Seminary is a private, Roman Catholic institution that offers both traditional and distance-learning programs in theology, philosophy, and liberal arts. Dedicated to the synthesis of faith and reason, it provides a rigorous academic education for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Catholic doctrine and prepare for various ministerial or service-oriented vocations. Its commitment to accessible, high-quality education makes it a valuable resource for students aiming to integrate their intellectual and spiritual pursuits.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary Acceptance Rate
Holy Apostles College and Seminary (HACS) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.34
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Holy Apostles College and Seminary Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Holy Apostles College and Seminary follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of February 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 174 days left — Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
HACS reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Priority
February 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
HACS GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at HACS is 3.79. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.49 and 3.79? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.99–4.19.HACS GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.79 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.59 – 3.78
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.39 – 3.58
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.38
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Three distinct admissions tracks - lay students, seminarians (diocesan sponsorship required), and consecrated religious - each with different required documentation
- 100% online B.A. and A.A. approved by Connecticut Office of Higher Education since 2014; also offers non-residential on-campus option in Cromwell, CT; no lay student housing currently available
- Every major requires six theology courses and six philosophy courses as part of the core curriculum, regardless of declared major
- Undergraduate tuition held unchanged for 2026-2027, the fourth consecutive year without an increase; accredited by NECHE and, for seminary/theology programs, the Association of Theological Schools (ATS)
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at HACS
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Holy Apostles College and Seminary's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary (HACS) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if HACS is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into HACS Without SAT or ACT?
HACS's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for HACS
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
HACS provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Choose Your Track Deliberately - Lay Student, Seminarian, and Religious Applicants Follow Different Doors
Holy Apostles serves three distinct populations - lay commuter/online students, men discerning priesthood, and consecrated religious - and each follows a different admissions procedure with different required documentation. Lay B.A. applicants follow the "College Division Admissions Procedure," a much lighter process than seminarian applicants (who need diocesan sponsorship similar to other Catholic seminaries). Before contacting admissions, know explicitly which of the three tracks you are and say so in your first email to Christina LaRosa (Director of Admissions) - this alone speeds up your file's routing.
Use the Online-First Structure to Your Advantage If You're Not Near Cromwell
Holy Apostles offers a genuinely rare combination: a 100% online B.A. and A.A. approved by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, alongside a small on-campus option - but there is no lay student housing at all, so on-campus attendance effectively requires commuting or securing off-campus housing in a small town with limited rental stock. If you're not local to Cromwell, apply directly to the online track rather than assuming you'll figure out housing later; Holy Apostles' own materials confirm they currently have no lay housing solution.
Leverage the Required Theology and Philosophy Core as Your Differentiator
Every Holy Apostles major - including non-theology majors like English or Sacred Art - requires six theology courses and six philosophy courses as part of a mandatory liberal arts core. If you're applying with a non-theology intended major, use your application essay to explain specifically how this integrated philosophy/theology core connects to your field, rather than treating it as a general education requirement to get through. Admissions and faculty at a mission-driven Catholic institution like this one are evaluating fit with that integrated curriculum, not just your intended major's specific coursework.
High School Juniors/Seniors: Use the Dual Enrollment Pathway With the 2.5 GPA Threshold
Holy Apostles allows high school juniors and seniors with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA from the preceding semester to take courses for college credit before formal enrollment. If you're a strong Catholic homeschool or parochial school student considering Holy Apostles, starting through this dual enrollment pathway both demonstrates fit to the admissions committee later and can shorten your eventual time-to-degree. Confirm your semester GPA meets the 2.5 threshold before applying - it's evaluated per-semester, not cumulative across your whole high school record.
Expert Insight:
Holy Apostles' stated December 4 admissions and FAFSA deadline applies to spring semester entry specifically - applicants assuming this is a general annual deadline can miss fall-cycle-specific dates that aren't as prominently listed. Because the institution runs a genuinely small, personal admissions office (named individual counselors handle applications directly rather than a large processing team), email your specific target term directly to your assigned counselor rather than relying on a single publicized deadline page, which may reflect only one entry point.
HACS Profile
Full Name
Holy Apostles College and Seminary (HACS)
City
Cromwell
State
Connecticut
ZIP Code
06416-2005
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a HACS Degree Worth It?
Whether HACS is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
How much does a degree from HACS Cost?
The sticker price is $20,740/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
16.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 18.1% take federal loans at HACS. File your FAFSA early and list HACS as a choice to be considered for both.
Degree Programs at HACS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Professional Certificate Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About HACS Admissions
At about $20,740 a year, Holy Apostles College and Seminary is on the more affordable end.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary's Pell Grant rate of 16.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Admitted students at Holy Apostles College and Seminary average a 3.79 GPA.
Holy Apostles College and Seminary doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.49 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.39, Holy Apostles College and Seminary becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
The application deadline for Holy Apostles College and Seminary is February 1. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is February 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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