Parent & Family FAQs

One of the most important outcomes of a Centre education is preparing students to think independently, communicate effectively, and take responsibility for their decisions. For that reason, when you have questions, we encourage parents and families to start by asking your student directly. In most cases, your student has the most current information and connecting with them first helps build the confidence and skills they’ll need long after graduation.

Getting Started at Centre

How can I best support my student's transition to college? 

Stay engaged, ask questions, and listen but allow your student to take the lead in managing their academic and campus life. Encourage them to communicate directly with faculty, advisors, and campus offices. A list of next steps may be found under Admitted Student Resources.

Who should I contact if I have a question? 

In most cases, your student should be the first point of contact. Encourage them to reach out to the appropriate office or individual. If a situation requires family involvement, we are happy to assist. There is more information throughout this page, depending on the nature of your questions.

Why doesn’t the College communicate directly with parents about everything?

College is an important step toward greater independence, responsibility, and self-advocacy. We communicate directly with students to ensure they receive accurate information and develop the skills to manage responsibilities. The Family Engagement Office shares a monthly newsletter to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening on campus. 

When should I contact the College directly?

If there is a serious concern about your student’s health, safety, or well-being — or if your student has been unable to resolve an issue after reaching out themselves — please reach out to Student Life directly at 859.238.5471 during business hours or to the Department of Public Safety after hours at 859.236.4357. 

Academics

What academic resources are available for my student? 

There are a variety of resources available at Centre to help your student succeed. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who provides guidance on course selection, majors, and academic planning. Encourage your student to build that relationship early. From student success coaches to peer tutoring and the writing center, here’s a comprehensive list of campus resources for academic support. 

What should my student do if they are struggling in a class? 

They should speak directly with their professor and advisor as soon as possible. Additional resources such as tutoring and the Centre Learning Commons are also available. 

How can I check on my student's academic progress? 

Because of federal privacy laws (FERPA), we’re unable to share academic information without your student’s consent. We encourage you to stay connected with your student and talk with them about their classes, assignments, and academic progress.

Billing & Financial Aid

My student is considering Centre. Where can I learn more about what we can expect to pay?

Through the Centre Promise, we meet 100% of your family's demonstrated financial need. When your student applies for financial aid, we ask that your family completes both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. This helps us understand your family's ability to contribute and ensures your award is fair, consistent, and individualized. 

The FAFSA and CSS Profile are both financial aid applications used by colleges to determine how much financial assistance a student may receive, but they serve different purposes. 

The FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the standard federal financial aid form used by nearly all colleges in the United States. It uses your family’s tax information to help determine how much financial aid your student may receive. It is free to complete. 

Submitting the FAFSA can qualify students for:

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal student loans
• Work-study programs
• Some state aid
• Aid from many colleges and universities

The FAFSA form becomes available each year on October 1 for the following year. Please note: your family will need to fill it out every year your student is in college to determine their financial aid for the following year. 

The CSS Profile is a separate financial aid application administered by the College Board (the same people who run the SAT and AP exams). It is primarily used by private colleges like Centre to help determine how the college awards its own institutional aid and grants. The CSS Profile gives colleges more detailed financial information. 

Here is more information about applying for financial aid: https://www.centre.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid 

Use our Net Price Calculator for an estimate customized to your individual family circumstances.

I am the family member of a current Centre student. Can I discuss their financial aid or billing information with the College?

Students control access to their financial records. If they would like you to have access, they can grant permission by providing you their log in information to Centre’s ePayment site or they create a secure PIN for family access.  

Can I set up a payment plan?

Yes, you and your student may use Centre’s ePayment site to set up payment plans. 

Who should we ask about billing or financial aid questions?

Students should contact the Financial Aid or Finance office directly. They can include a parent or family member if they choose.

Finance Office (billing & student accounts): https://www.centre.edu/about/offices/finance

Financial Aid Office (financial aid & scholarships): https://www.centre.edu/about/offices/financial-aid

Our financial situation has changed – who can my student speak to about adjustments to financial aid?

Please have your student reach out to the Financial Aid Office – we are here to help!

Financial Aid Office (financial aid & scholarships): https://www.centre.edu/about/offices/financial-aid

Where can my student look for jobs on or around campus?

The Center for Career and Professional Development can help students find on- or off-campus jobs. For contact information: https://careers.centre.edu/

Student Life

How can my student get involved on campus? 

There are a wide range of student organizations, athletics, and campus events. Students can explore opportunities through campus communications and the annual Activities Expo in the fall. Learn more about Student Life here: https://www.centre.edu/life 

What if my student is having difficulty adjusting socially? 

It is so hard to watch your student struggle but adjustment takes time. Encourage your student to attend events, join clubs, and connect with their Resident Assistant (RA) or counseling services if needed. 

Who do we talk to about campus housing? 

Your student may reach out to the Residence Life Office staff. The Office webpage also includes frequently asked questions – from what to bring to college to medical accommodations – and detailed information about living on campus. 

How do I best support my first-generation student? 

If your student is the first in the family to attend college, you may have additional questions. At Centre, 22 percent of students are first gen - as are many of our faculty and staff. The College has dedicated first-generation student resources or you can explore academic support services, including peer tutoring, a writing center, and student accommodations.

See our First Generation Faculty and Staff. 

How do we submit a maintenance request for my student's room or residence hall? 

Your student should reach out to the Resident Assistant who will submit a work order. If the issue is one of safety or an immediate emergency, your student may call 859.238.5550 (M-F, 8AM-4PM) or 859.236.4357 (nights and weekends) and the emergency maintenance person will respond to address the issue. 

How do I support my student through a roommate conflict or a conflict with a friend group? 

Supporting your student through a roommate or peer conflict starts with listening and validating their experience. It is helpful to encourage them to find an active solution to their concern. It can be helpful to assist them in thinking through the specifics of what bothers them and come up with their ideal outcomes. Conflicts are a normal part of communal living and can help build communication and problem-solving skills. However, behavior involving threats, harassment, discrimination, or safety concerns should be reported immediately. Typically, the first step would be to talk to the roommate or peer directly. If that does not work, going to their resident assistant for support is a great next step. Ultimately, your role is to empower your student to navigate the situation independently while reassuring them that support is available if the conflict becomes difficult to manage on their own. 

Health & Well-Being

What health and counseling resources are available?

Students have access to health services and confidential counseling. These services are designed to support both physical and mental well-being. For more information, visit Student Health or Centre Counseling. Centre supports a student’s entire well-being – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual. To learn more about recreation, nutrition, and community engagement resources, visit Student Well-Being.

Will I be notified if my student is unwell? 

In most cases, students manage their own care and communication. We encourage students to share updates directly with their families.

Safety

How does Centre keep students safe?

It’s natural to worry about your student’s safety. Please know that student safety is our top priority. Centre has its own dedicated Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers – who are available 24 hours a day – and we also work closely with the Danville Police Department. 

To promote campus safety, and enforce community standards, Public Safety officers patrol campus regularly. All buildings on campus are locked nightly by DPS. Additionally, the entrances to residence halls can only be opened by the students who live there, using personal ID cards as a key.

Learn more about Campus Safety or read about Centre's Annual Reporting.

Does Centre provide security escorts?

Yes, DPS provides courtesy escorts for students on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To request an escort, contact Public Safety at 859.236.4357