Bonner Program

“Access to Education, Opportunity to Serve.” The good work of the Bonner Leaders and Scholars at Centre impacts the community through direct service and advocacy for policy change.

The Bonner Program at Centre College is a network of students on campus (and thousands nationwide) dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving education through active community service and civic engagement. At Centre, the program includes 30 Bonner Scholars, select students who are committed to making an impact through service and demonstrate high financial need, and an additional 30 Bonner Leaders who are interested in making service a priority during their Centre experience.

Gloria Lwin ’24 and other members of the Centre College Bonner Program visited Caretta, West Virginia, during the Spring semester of 2022, where they served and learned in a rural community. Click here for more...

Bonners are matched with nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies that align with their interests in social issues, and intern 10 hours a week at one of those organizations throughout their four years. The Centre community benefits from the program by creating a culture of service and social issue awareness that permeates different social groups and academic interests, and Bonners are uniquely transformed through the personal and professional growth that comes from membership and regular engagement in experiential learning through service.

All members of the Bonner Program share the same common commitments to diversity, social justice, international perspectives, spiritual exploration, civic engagement, and community building.

Bonner Commitments

Diversity
We respect and embrace the many dimensions of diversity in our private and public lives.

Social Justice
We advocate for fairness, impartiality, and equality while addressing systemic social and environmental issues.

International Perspective
We develop international understanding that enables us to participate successfully in a global society.

Spiritual Exploration
We explore personal belief while respecting the spiritual practices of others.

Civic Engagement
We participate intentionally as a citizen in the democratic process, actively engaging in public policy and direct service.

Community Building
We establish and sustain a vibrant community of place, personal relationships, and common interests.

What is a Bonner Scholar?

Bonner Scholar positions are offered to select students who are committed to community service and demonstrate high financial need by having an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of no more than $12,000 as determined by the FAFSA.

Bonner Scholars commit to complete an average of 10 hours of service a week (140 hours per semester) during the academic year. These hours are made up mainly of direct service at a community organization.
Bonner Scholars commit to training sessions, enrichment workshops, retreats, and weekly seminars that address social issues and teach tangible skills.
First year Bonner Scholars participate in a New Bonner orientation prior to the Centre College new student orientation.
Participation in the Bonner Scholars Program is much more than simply completing the required service hours. Bonner Scholars are part of a community that strives to cultivate and maintain a service-minded culture both on campus and in Danville.

Bonner Scholars will receive a $30,000 annual scholarship contingent upon successful completion of school-year academic service requirements.
Bonner Scholars are required to participate in two summer internships at nonprofit organizations of their choice anywhere in the U.S. or abroad. During each summer, Scholars receive up to $1,000 for summer living expenses and an earnings stipend of $1500 upon completion of 280 hours of summer service.

What is a Bonner Leader?

Bonner Leader positions are offered to select students who are interested in making service a priority during Centre experience and qualify for Federal Work Study as determined by the FAFSA.

First Year Bonner Leaders arrive to Centre for the New Bonner Orientation the week before Centre College’s First Year Orientation. Following the New Bonner Orientation, Bonner Leaders attend the Bonner Program’s Fall Overnight Retreat with all returning Bonners. First Year Bonner Leaders and First Year Bonner Scholars enter Centre as a cohort.
Bonner Leaders commit to complete an average of 10 hours of service a week (140 hours per semester) during the academic year. These hours are made up mainly of direct service at a community organization.
Bonner Leaders commit to training sessions, enrichment workshops, retreats, and weekly seminars that address social issues and teach tangible skills.

Bonner Leaders are able to participate in summer internships at nonprofit organizations of their choice in anywhere in the US or abroad. (limited funding available)

How to Apply

Apply for Admission

Apply by January 15. We use the Common Application exclusively, and there is no fee to apply.

Submit Candidate Form

Complete a Bonner Program Candidate Form to indicate your interest in the program. The form is due by January 15th, 2024.

Interview Process

Upon review, finalists will be invited to participate in a virtual interview process with Bonner Program staff members and student leaders.

Nominations

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 an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of no more than $12,000 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.

Although a scholarship nomination is not required in order to apply for premier scholarships, the admission office welcomes nominations to help us identify and learn more about potential scholarship candidates. A nomination can be completed by a school counselor, core-course teacher, community-based organization liaison, employer, or independent college counselor. The priority deadline for nominations is December 15, but we accept nominations through January 15.

Nomination Form