About

Why Seton College?

Do you want to go to college, but aren’t sure how to pay for it? Not sure what you want to study? At Seton College, you can earn a two-year associate degree in liberal arts—and we’ll help you do it with little to no debt. Along the way, we’ll work with you as you discover your interests and goals, then determine your next steps and help you transfer to a four-year college to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Who We Serve	How We Serve	HEOP Students Must
Students who are considered historically underserved	Five-week Summer Orientation Program for successful transition into Seton College	Meet the New York State residency requirement (12 months)
Students who require additional academic support	Academic advisement, workshops, and tutoring services	Be a first semester, first-year student
Students who show commitment and potential to complete an academic program	Counseling, advisement, and additional support for students experiencing any transitional issues	Have recently earned a high school diploma or GED
Students who have recently graduated from high school	Support with graduation and transfer process into a four-year institution	Meet HEOP financial guidelines outlined by New York State
	Transportation options, breakfast and lunch, and a laptop are all included in the cost of attendance	Demonstrate potential and motivation to complete a college program
		Complete the mandatory Summer Orientation Program

Located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx on the beautiful campus of Mount Saint Vincent, Seton College has everything you could want for your college journey. Learn more.

Who is St. Elizabeth Ann Seton?

Elizabeth Bayley was born August 28, 1774 in New York City. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley, was a prominent physician and surgeon and the first Health Officer in New York City. Her mother, Catherine Charlton Bayley, the daughter of an Episcopal minister, died May 8, 1777, leaving 3 children, Mary 7, Elizabeth, 2, and an infant, Catherine, who died two years later. Dr. Richard Bayley died of yellow fever in 1801.

A year after his wife died, Dr. Richard Bayley married Charlotte Amelia Barclay. They had 4 children. Mary and Elizabeth spent their summers with their Uncle William Bayley at the Pell Bayley House in New Rochelle, New York.

Elizabeth Bayley married William Magee Seton, a wealthy shipping magnate on January 25, 1794. They had five children: Anna Maria, William, Richard, Catherine, and Rebecca.

William Magee Seton suffered major financial ruin and died of tuberculosis on December 27, 1803 in Italy, leaving Elizabeth a poor young widow with five small children.

Anna Maria, the eldest daughter, at 8 years of age, went to Italy with her parents where her ailing father died. She became affectionately called “Annina” by her mother. Anna Maria died of tuberculosis on March 12, 1812.

Elizabeth Seton, raised Episcopal, converted to Catholicism. She received her first Holy Communion on March 25, 1805. To raise and educated her own children, she became a teacher and wanted all children, boys and girls, to receive free education. At the Pace Street House in Baltimore, Maryland, she founded her first Catholic school.

On March 25, 1809, Elizabeth Seton pronounced vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Henceforth, she became known as Mother Seton. She began the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph on July 31, 1809 at the Stone House in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Mother Seton established St. Joseph’s Academy, the first Catholic parochial school in the United States.

Elizabeth Seton died of tuberculosis on January 4, 1821 at the age of 47. Her remains are sealed in the Basilica of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

In September, 1975, Elizabeth Seton became the first American to be canonized as a Saint. Her banner hung over the entrance to St. Peter’s in Rome.