Steubenville Conferences - Support

Q: How do I request financial aid?

A: Adult attendees and youth conference group leaders may complete the online Financial Aid Application by April 14, 2027. Applicants will be notified of the decision on their application by April 30, 2027.

Q: What is your cancellation policy?

A: Adults – cancel at least 2 weeks before the event to receive a full refund minus a $25 fee.
Youth – deposits are non-refundable; full refunds are available only if canceled 5 weeks before the conference. Please see our refund policy for further details.

Q: Where can I find forms, policies, and payment instructions?

A: Please see the links above.

Q: Where do I park?

A: Please park in Lot H (see the Campus Map linked above).

Q: Can I modify my registration?

A: Yes. Please log in to your registration portal using your confirmation code and email you registered with. Please see your confirmation email for additional information.

Q: What is on-campus housing like?

A: Linens are provided (sheets, blanket, pillowcase, towel, washcloth). Accommodations are in university dorms, so guests should expect basic facilities rather than hotel-style amenities.

Q: Can I arrive early?

A: No, early arrival is not available for adult conferences. Please arrange off-campus lodging if needed.

Q: Where can I eat on campus?

A: Meal plans are served in Antonian Hall. A la carte meal purchasing is not available. Additional meal options include The Pub, Clear Creek Coffee, and dining at Franciscan Square (accessible by personal vehicle and shuttle by request).

Q: Do you provide hotel shuttles?

A: Yes, complimentary shuttles run between all Steubenville and Weirton hotels and the Franciscan University campus.

Q: Can minors attend an adult conference?

A: Yes, under special circumstances: must be 13+ years old, must stay off-campus with a parent or trusted chaperone, and must submit an Adult Conference Youth Liability Form before or at check-in (found in our Adult Conference Resources section).

Q: Can I bring my baby?

A: Yes, please see our Babes in Arms Policy for details.

Q: Do you offer discounts?

A: Yes. Priests attend free (with the exception of the Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians retreat). Religious, deacons, and young adults (ages 18–35) automatically receive discounted rates. Other promotions may be available throughout the year.

Q: Can priests concelebrate or deacons assist at Mass?

A: Yes, pending diocesan approval for faculties before the weekend. Letters of Good Standing must be sent in at least 5 weeks prior to the conference being attended. Please bring an alb.

Q: Where can I find recordings from past years?

A: Some talks are available on the Steubenville Conferences YouTube channel or Franciscan University’s Faith and Reason platform.

Q: Where will my airport shuttle be to pick me up?

A: Arrivals at the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) can wait at door 6 for their airport shuttle.

Q: What time is best to arrive for check-in?

A: As soon as the published check-in time is open! If you arrive later, please be prepared for a wait.

Q: Are one-day rates available for your conferences?

A: No, only full conference weekend tickets are available

Q: What are your top tips for getting to campus and what do I need to bring?

A: Please see the Travel Information document linked at the top of the page!

Q: Who can attend?

A: Youth entering 9th grade through those graduating 12th grade.

Q: What’s included in registration?

A: Youth registration includes conference registration, on-campus housing, and meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

Q: What are the chaperone requirements?

A: Chaperones must be 21+, Safe Environment trained, and background-checked. Each group must have 1 male chaperone per 10 male youth and 1 female chaperone per 10 female youth (up to 2 per 10 permitted).

Q: Can priests or deacons join my group?

A: Yes. Priests attend free with a Letter of Good Standing (due 5 weeks before the conference) and do not count toward the chaperone ratio. Deacons must submit a Letter of Good Standing in addition to an Adult Chaperone Verification Form, and count toward the chaperone ratio.

Q: What forms are required?

A:
• Registration Form (all participants)

• Adult Chaperone Verification Form (adults)

• Letter of Good Standing (clergy)

Q: What is the Group Leader’s role?

A: Group Leaders manage registration, payments, required forms, and serve as the primary contact for their group.

Q: Can I add or drop spots?

A: Yes, up to 5 weeks before the conference. After that, any remaining balance will be charged to the card on file. No substitutions will be allowed after 1 week prior to the conference.

Q: What is housing like?

A: Youth – 4 youth per room, which contain 2 beds and 2 cots each.

Chaperones – 2 per room, 2 beds.

Please note that our residence halls offer simple, dormitory-style accommodations and are not comparable to a hotel. Furnishings and amenities are basic, and air conditioning is not available in every residence hall. In keeping with the simplicity of our Franciscan tradition, we encourage guests to embrace the spirit of flexibility and simplicity that is part of the Steubenville Conferences experience.

Q: Can I bring snacks?

A: Yes! Please clean up after your group.

Q: Are shuttles available?

A: Yes, free for groups flying in. Submit flight details at least 5 weeks before your conference.

Q: Are babies allowed?

A: No, due to the nature of the event, we do not allow babies to attend. Please contact us if your situation requires an exception.

Q: Do you offer junior high or family conferences?

A: No, youth events are limited to grades 9–12.

Q: How do I pay for a youth conference?

A:
• Credit card: contact us for assistance or mail us the payment form from the Youth Conferences Resource section.
• Check: complete and include the payment form from the Youth Conferences Resource section.

Q: Can I register a group if I’m not attending?

A: Yes, but you must designate another adult to serve as on-site Group Leader at least 5 weeks before your event.

Q: What meals are included and what allergies can be accommodated?

A: Meal plans include 6 meals (Friday dinner – Sunday lunch).
Major allergens accommodated: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy.

Q: When is check-in?

A: Please check your event reminder email for those times.

Q: I am a parent and it will just be my teen and I attending a youth conference. Do I have to be Safe Environment trained?

A: Yes! Franciscan University requires that all adults at Steubenville Youth Conferences be Safe Environment trained and approved for the safety of all attendees.

Q: Why isn't my Group Leader Portal link loading?

A: The Group Leader Portal link takes a while to load. If this issue continues to persist, please try a different web browser (Chrome or Firefox are recommended).

Q: Can I edit my registration form after submitting?

A: No. You must submit a new registration form, as it is a legally binding document.