WESTON -- Families who have chosen a Catholic high school education know its many advantages. Now there is another one to add to that list.

The president of Regis College in Weston, Mary Jane England, announced Oct. 10 that the school will offer a full-tuition four-year scholarship to a graduating senior from each of the 34 Catholic high schools within the Archdiocese of Boston. The announcement was made in conjunction with the archdiocese’s Catholic Schools office.

“The granting of these scholarships will help draw some of the best students from area Catholic high schools to a Catholic institution of higher education traditionally known for quality education,” said Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Schools Mary Grassa O’Neill.

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, who has made the promotion of Catholic education one of his key priorities, also praised the move.

“Regis College is a leading Catholic institution committed to creating opportunity for students who seek to make a real and tangible impact in our society,” he said.

“We are blessed by the generosity of Regis College with the Presidential Scholarship as it is going to dramatically improve the chances for students to realize their dreams,” the cardinal added.

England and Grassa O’Neill made the announcement in a jointly signed letter to the principals of the Catholic high schools.

The announcement of the new Regis scholarship comes at a time when local Catholics are closely following the upcoming beatification process for John Henry Cardinal Newman, England said.

“Newman understood that knowledge was good for its own sake, and he also opened up paths so that those who had been denied education could gain it. This scholarship will help do the same,” she said.

“Especially in the current economic climate, Regis College is pleased to be able to offer Catholic high school students another opportunity to continue their education and deepen their grasp of the Catholic intellectual and social tradition,” England said. “This scholarship aims to strengthen Catholic identity across the spectrum from Catholic secondary education to Catholic higher education.”

“We all want to expand this generation’s ability to cultivate a Catholic mind in the arts, sciences and professions and its deep connection to service. As the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, who founded Regis College, put it, ultimately the service of the ‘dear neighbor’ is at the heart of all Catholic education,” she said.

Ellen M. O’Connor, chairwoman of the school’s board of trustees, said there was an enthusiasm among the whole board for this kind of outreach.

“At a time when parents are wondering how their high-achieving daughter or son will be able to go to college, this scholarship provides a way to help students fulfill their educational aspirations,” she said. “It’s a strongly Catholic statement of hope and commitment in the tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph.”

Scholarship candidates, nominated by the head of their school, should possess a 3.3 grade point average; a score of 1100 on the Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or 24 on the ACT; be accepted as a prospective student at Regis College after completing the regular admissions process and then continue on to matriculate at the school.

The annual deadline for nominations is Jan. 15. For more information on the scholarship, contact Regis College’s Office of Admissions at admission@regiscollege.edu.