St. Norbert College Offers Tuition-Free Plan for Local Catholic High School Graduates

The new Pennings Promise Plan aims to attract more students from the Green Bay area to the college.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin has launched a new initiative called the Pennings Promise Plan that will provide tuition-free education to qualifying students who graduate from local Catholic high schools in the Green Bay Diocese area. The plan is designed to make college more affordable and accessible for these students.

Why it matters

The Pennings Promise Plan is an effort by St. Norbert College to build a stronger pipeline of students from the local Catholic high schools in the Green Bay area. By offering tuition-free education, the college hopes to attract more students who may have otherwise struggled to afford the nearly $47,000 annual tuition.

The details

To be eligible for the Pennings Promise Plan, students must graduate from one of the eight Catholic high schools in the Green Bay Diocese area and qualify for the Pell and Wisconsin Grants. St. Norbert College will cover any additional tuition costs not covered by state, federal, and college scholarships. The college says there is no limit on the number of students who can benefit from the program.

  • St. Norbert College launched the Pennings Promise Plan in March 2026.

The players

St. Norbert College

A private liberal arts college located in De Pere, Wisconsin.

Eric Wagner

Director of Admissions - Enrollment Partnerships at St. Norbert College.

Amy Ott

President of Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, one of the Catholic high schools partnering with St. Norbert College on the Pennings Promise Plan.

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What they’re saying

“As college can be expensive, it was one of the ways that we saw a need in the community to try and help students have that opportunity in higher education to stick closer to home.”

— Eric Wagner, Director of Admissions - Enrollment Partnerships, St. Norbert College (wncy.com)

“From a cost perspective, any way we can help make college more affordable for students, it makes it easier for them to continue that process.”

— Amy Ott, President, Notre Dame Academy (wncy.com)

What’s next

St. Norbert College plans to continue offering the Pennings Promise Plan as long as the college can financially support the program. There is no set end date for the initiative.

The takeaway

The Pennings Promise Plan demonstrates St. Norbert College's commitment to making higher education more accessible and affordable for students in the local Green Bay community. By partnering with area Catholic high schools, the college is creating a pathway for students who may have otherwise struggled to afford the cost of tuition.