National Hispanic Institute

About the Northeast Great Debate

Through the years, NHI has cultivated relations with a significant number of universities, mostly private, as reference possibilities when selecting their preferences. As members of NHI’s College Register, these institutions are located throughout the U.S. and usually attend NHI college fairs and admission workshops that give them one-on-one communication with NHI students.

On different occasions some of these institutions go a step further. They realize the importance of placing young minds in environments that excite the possibilities of college and make higher education real in their lives. They allow for a regional home to be established and a more NHI communities to be formed.

For the 4th year, Saint Francis University will host the 2025 Northeast Great Debate. Established in 2003, the Northeast Great Debate celebrates 22 years in Pennsylvania. In Loretto, Pennsylvania, Great Debate students will go through a journey to improve their language skills and word management while working together to bring home the championship. For well over a decade, the Northeast Great Debate has attracted students from all over the Mid-Atlantic U.S., New England, the D.C./Maryland/Virginia corridor, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. Expect a multilingual, multicultural, and multinational experience at St. Francis' Great Debate.

What is the cost of the Great Debate?

Tuition for the Great Debates covers four days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition.

Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization.

The cost of the Great Debate is broken down into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :

Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
Great Debate Non-Refundable Deposit - $150
Great Debate Tuition: $695 (does not include the $150 deposit)

What does the payment schedule look like?

NHI will provide details about the payment schedule upon acceptance into the program.

NHI is committed to flexibility - that is, payment plans and fundraising tools are available to all families who request them.

About Saint Francis University

Nestled on a beautiful 600-acre mountaintop vista in Loretto, Pennsylvania, just 90-minutes East of Pittsburgh.

Faith, generosity, respect, discovery, and joy are in our DNA attracting students (like you) with a passion to shape the world. We are the oldest Franciscan university in the nation and like our namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, students discover a path of mission, purpose, and personal values.

High-demand programs are offered in health sciences, business, education, arts, and STEM fields. Programs combine rigorous, career-directed studies with a focus on personal and professional ethics. Students go on to become leaders, visionaries, teachers, and healers in a wide array of professions and industries -- and they carry their Franciscan values with them always. In fact, in a recent survey of our Class of 2020, 90% of graduates feel that Saint Francis University was instrumental in developing their faith and/or values for life after college! (From Niche.com)

Saint Francis and NHI are also committed to investing in youth from their PEACE Partnership Program school membership. Learn about more about this innovative community endeavor.

About Loretto, PA

Loretto is a borough in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is officially part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area as recognized by the US Census Bureau, but local sources list it as part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania Area due to its proximity to Altoona and usage of Altoona over Johnstown for local services.
Loretto was founded in 1799 by Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin as the first English-speaking Roman Catholic settlement west of the Allegheny Front. He named it after the town of Loreto, Italy, site of a Catholic place of pilgrimage. Loretto was built adjoining the original settlement founded by Captain Michael McGuire, a Revolutionary War veteran, in 1788.[3] In his will, Captain McGuire donated land to the Catholic Church on which Prince Gallitzin built St. Michael's Church in 1799. (From familypedia.fandom.com)

The climate of the area is agreeable and perfect for a getaway trip to reflect and enjoy the serenity that the area provides. Loretto is also known for their beautiful architecture and relaxing gardens. Take a break from it all and unwind at Loretto!