John Carroll University (JCU) Wednesday launched a campaign to raise $100 million for scholarships and to enhance the educational facilities for students.

The Forever Carroll campaign has already reached its half way mark by raising around $57 million in cash and pledges.

JCU's president, the Rev. Robert Niehoff, said that the money raised from this campaign will be used to enhance the faculty course offerings and buildings at the university.

"One of the most challenging issues for families in Ohio is college affordability," Niehoff said, noting that $35 million of the $100 million is earmarked for scholarships.

Currently, the university offers scholarships and financial aid to more than 90 percent of students.

Niehoff said that $17 million will be invested to expand the faculty, install state-of-art technology, create new academic programs; $14 million will be set aside for developing infrastructure and another $25 million will be spent toward student activities such as debate team and athletic programs.

The remaining $9 million will be used to support the university's Jesuit tradition by building an endowment to fund programs such as service-learning opportunities, immersion trips and retreats.

More than a decade ago, the university collected more than $100 million to build Shula Stadium and the Charles F. and Helen B. Dolan Science Center.

John Carroll University is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S., which comprises of 3,000 undergraduates, 800 graduate students and 205 full-time faculties.

This fall the university is expected to enroll the highest number of students in eight years. Till now, around 734 incoming freshmen have received confirmation letters, compared to 659 last year.