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Admission & Aid
Scholarships & Fellowships

Scholarships & Fellowships

Centre College offers a range of fellowship and scholarship programs to help fund your education and make it more affordable.

There are three types of scholarships — merit, premier, and special interests. They all provide financial support in different ways, and each has its own application process and award requirements. All merit, premier, and special interest scholarships renew annually.

Merit Scholarships Premier Scholarships Special Interests

Special Interests by Topic .................................................................

Service Language Diversity
Music Theatre Visual Arts

Nominations and Consideration

Although you don’t need a scholarship nomination to apply for scholarships, the Admission office welcomes nominations to help us identify and learn more about you as a potential candidate. School counselors, core-course teachers, community-based organization liaisons, employers, or independent college counselors are welcome to speak on your behalf. The priority deadline for nominations is December 15, but we accept nominations through January 15.

Consideration for some scholarships is automatic upon completion of an admission application - so apply to Centre today to determine your eligibility for scholarships.
Submit a nomination Apply to Centre

More in Scholarships & Fellowships

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Merit Scholarships

Approximately half of our annual applicant pool receives a merit scholarship. Merit scholarships are awarded based on a comprehensive review of your application for admission, including academic credentials and contributions. These scholarships renew annually based on your Centre grade point average.

Consideration for merit scholarship is automatic upon completion of an admission application via the Common App or the Coalition for College Application.

Scholarship	Award	Centre Student, Renewable GPA
Faculty Scholarship	$30,000	2.8
Colonel Scholarship	$28,000	2.5
Founders Scholarship	$26,000	2.25
Centre Award	$22,000	2.0
Alumni Award	$15,000	2.0

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Premier Scholarships

Centre’s most competitive scholarship programs each recognize 10 incoming students per program on an annual basis. We welcome nominations for our premier scholarship programs, although a nomination isn’t required for consideration. These are renewable based on GPA and program participation.

Separate premier scholarship applications must be submitted along with the Common App or Coalition for College Application.

Scholarship	Award	Application Deadline	Centre Student, Renewable GPA
Grissom Scholars Program	Full Tuition, Fees, Room and Board, Plus	January 15
Lincoln Scholars Program	Full Tuition, Fees, Room and Board, Plus	December 1	3.2

Affordability Is Key At Centre

$41M

In Scholarships and Grants

Centre will award over $41 million in scholarships and grants this year

$50M

In New Scholarships

Centre will award $50 million in new scholarships in the next ten years.

Nationally Ranked For Merit Scholarship Award

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Special Interest Scholarships

These scholarships recognize students with special interests who demonstrate the potential to contribute to certain programs or areas of campus life. Each scholarship has its own unique application for consideration and each scholarship renews annually.

Separate applications are due by January 15th after submission of the Common App or Coalition for College Application.

Bonner Program

Award	Application	Renewable
$30,000 + priority consideration for financial aid	Yes	Yes

Established by the Bonner Foundation, the Bonner Program is a need-based program designed for students who are passionate about making a lasting impact through community service and civic engagement. Centre’s Bonner Program includes Bonner Scholars who show commitment to community service and demonstrate high financial need by having a Student Aid Index (SAI) of no more than $15,000 and Bonner Leaders who prioritize service and qualify for Federal Work-Study. Domestic students are eligible for these opportunities. United States citizenship is not required. International students who will be studying at Centre on a student visa are not eligible for this program. The deadline for submitting the Bonner Application is February 1st.

Learn More About The Bonner Program Application Form

New Horizons Program: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Award	Application	Renewable
$30,000	Yes	Yes

The New Horizons Program is a scholarship opportunity that seeks to develop student leaders with a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion work. The program is designed to provide a diverse group of students the opportunity to build leadership skills, professional development skills, communication skills, empathy, community, and appreciation for service learning. Domestic students are eligible for this opportunity. United States citizenship is not required. International students who will be studying at Centre on a student visa are not eligible for the program.

Learn More About The New Horizons Program Program Candidate Form

Language Scholarship

Award	Application	Renewable
Up to $5,000	Yes	Yes and Stackable

The Language Scholarship recognizes students with a strong background of study in Chinese, French, German, Latin, or Spanish who wish to continue their study of language and culture at Centre. Majoring or minoring in a language is not required. Students may apply for a Language Scholarship in more than one target language by submitting additional applications. However, students are eligible for only one scholarship in one target language. Students may apply for a Language Scholarship in their native language. International and domestic students are eligible for this opportunity.

Apply for the Language Scholarship

Performing Arts Scholarship: Music

Award	Application	Renewable
Up to $5,000	Yes	Yes and Stackable

The Performing Arts Scholarship recognizes musicians, vocalists, actors, and/or theatre technicians who have experience in and a commitment to further personal development in the musical and/or dramatic arts. International and domestic students are eligible, and majoring or minoring in performing arts is not required. Students may apply for a Performing Arts Scholarship in more than one area by submitting additional applications. However, students are eligible for only one Performing Arts Scholarship in one concentration. These may be combined with other merit scholarships (excluding premier).

Apply for the Performing Arts Scholarship

Music Scholarship Recipients

Students are required to be enrolled and receive a passing grade in an appropriate ensemble each semester (when not abroad). Ensemble participation will be determined each semester in consultation with, and with the approval of, your scholarship advisor (one of the four full-time faculty professors).
Students must enroll in applied lessons or a music class (or both) each semester with a grade of at least C in graded music classes (when not abroad).
Students must enroll and receive a grade of at least C in MUS 116 and one of MUS 120, MUS 220, or MUS 232 during or before the junior year.

Piano/Instrumental Applicants*

Perform two pieces in contrasting styles. Maximum total time is 12 minutes.

Composition/Songwriting Applicants

Provide scores and/or recordings of two representative original works.

Voice Applicants*

Perform two or three songs in contrasting styles from two different genres. Examples of genres include folk songs, art songs, music from worship, musical theater, country, pop, etc. Maximum total time is 12 minutes

*You may bring your own accompanist, but it’s completely acceptable to audition without one. If you need the college to provide one, please provide copies of your music along with the request for an accompanist at least two weeks prior.

Performing Arts Scholarship: Theatre

Award	Application	Renewable
Up to $5,000	Yes	Yes and Stackable

The Performing Arts Scholarship recognizes musicians, vocalists, actors, and/or theatre technicians who have experience in and a commitment to further personal development in the musical and/or dramatic arts. International and domestic students are eligible, and majoring or minoring in performing arts is not required. Student may apply for a Performing Arts Scholarship in more than one area by submitting additional applications. However, students are eligible for only one Performing Arts Scholarship in one concentration. These may be combined with other merit scholarships (excluding premier).

Apply for the Performing Arts Scholarship

Theatre Scholarship Recipients

Students must enroll in three theatre classes: Acting 1 (THR 117); one of Intro to Tech Theatre OR Intro to Design (THR 150 or 160); one of Foundations of Drama & Theatre 1, Foundations of Drama & Theatre 2, or Theory & Criticism (THR 133, 134, or 230).
Students should also plan on making a significant contribution to the life of the theatre program, such as taking classes, participating in productions, working in shops, or just being around to help us make theatre!

Studio Arts Scholarship

Award	Application	Renewable
Up to $5,000	Yes	Yes and Stackable

The Studio Arts Scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in the visual arts and are committed to college-level study in studio art and art history. Visual arts scholarship applicants are able to present works from any artistic medium, including (but not restricted to) drawing, painting, multimedia images, sculpture, ceramics, glass, photography, and film. Majoring or minoring in visual arts is not required. International and domestic students are eligible for this opportunity.

Apply for the Studio Arts Scholarship

Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship: Math & STEM Fields (Ohio Residents)

Award	Application	Renewable GPA
$5,000	No	Good standing, no GPA requirement

Centre College is pleased to offer the Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship. The award is a merit scholarship designated for students from Ohio who are interested in mathematics or majoring in a STEM field.

The Austin E. Knowlton Foundation was created by Austin “Dutch” Knowlton (1909- 2003) in 1981 “to promote and advance higher education in the United States and to provide direct grants and contributions to qualified colleges and universities.” Mr. Knowlton grew up in Bellefontaine, in Logan County, Ohio, and studied architecture at The Ohio State University. He then joined and later led the Knowlton construction company, which completed more than 600 major construction projects including school buildings, hospitals, and libraries throughout Ohio and the Midwest. Mr. Knowlton was a minority-stake owner of the Cincinnati Reds and a cofounder of the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Scholarship Guarantees

You may already be eligible for scholarships based on additional external factors. Browse our Scholarship Guarantees below to see if any apply to you.

Scholarship	Award	Renewable GPA
Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program	$120,000 total ($30,000 annually for four years)	2.5 (minimum)
Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts	$104,000 total ($26,000 annually for four years)	2.5 (minimum)
Kentucky Governor's School for Entrepreneurs	$104,000 total ($26,000 annually for four years)	2.5 (minimum)
Centre Fellows Scholarship	$26,000 minimum per year for four years	3.5 (minimum)
Centre Legacy Scholarship	$3,000 renewable annual award	No requirement

Scholarship Guarantee Details

Students who completed Kentucky’s Governor’s Scholars Program will be recognized with an automatic GSP Scholarship worth $120,000 ($30,000 annually for each of your four years of study) upon admission to Centre. The GSP Scholarship cannot be stacked on top of other general merit scholarships, but we encourage Scholars to explore our premier and special scholarship options for more specialized offerings. These separate scholarship deadlines range from November 15 to January 15.

Students who completed Kentucky’s Governor’s School for the Arts will be recognized with a minimum merit scholarship of $26,000 annually upon admission to Centre.

Students who completed Kentucky's Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs will be recognized with a minimum merit scholarship of $26,000 annually upon admission to Centre.

The Centre Fellows Program recognizes high-achieving and engaged high school juniors who would benefit from a liberal arts education. There is no commitment on the recipient’s part, and students are eligible to compete for higher awards. Domestic students are eligible for this opportunity. United States citizenship is not required. Candidates must be nominated by their high school counselor, and all nominations must be approved by the Centre College Admission Office.

Benefits include a guaranteed minimum scholarship in the amount of $26,000 per year for four years. Centre Fellows may be considered for higher scholarships, which, if received, will replace the Centre Fellows guarantee.

Successful Candidates Should Exhibit the Following Credentials

A minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5
A challenging course load comprising some of the highest courses available at the school
A sincere interest in a liberal arts and sciences education
A concern for their high school and/or local communities as demonstrated by various personal commitments

For more information, contact Director of Admission, Shery Boyles.

Go to Nomination Form

The Legacy Award is a $3,000 renewable annual award given to admitted students who are children or grandchildren of Centre alumni. To be considered, students who apply for admission to Centre should mention that their parent(s) and/or grandparent(s) attended Centre on their application materials.