int'l applicant

International Applicants

Centre College encourages candidates from around the globe to join us on our supportive, student-centered campus.

Challenging academics, personalized attention, and enriching research and internship experiences prepare Centre students for success in the workforce and acceptance into top-tier graduate programs. 

Centre Is Among the Best Colleges in the Nation

30

Top 30 Most Innovative School

Ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

2/3

Pursue Advanced Degrees

The majority of our students seek advanced degrees after graduation.

93%

Complete an Internship or Research Opportunity

Our students are guaranteed hands-on experiences.

84%

Medical School Acceptance Rate

Among the highest in the nation.

96%

Law School Acceptance Rate

Among the highest in the nation.

The Centre Journey

Stories from International Students

Join Amon Otsuki '21 , Anahit Grigoryan '23, Uliana Bazavluk '23, and Yash Kshirsagar' 22 as they share their experiences traveling from each of their home countries to create a new home within the Centre Community. We're forever grateful for the impact they have left in educating the community with their stories, traditions, and activism.

Centre students relaxing in a dorm room

Step Into Centre

Residence Life Experience

Learn about the variety of different housing options located all around our beautiful campus as well as the aspect of residence life that Make the Centre community unique and personal.

The Centre Spotlight

Amon Otsuki '21

Amon Otsuki, a Computer Science major from Agatsuma-Gun Japan, talks about the impact Centre has made on his experience as an International student, the people he has met throughout his four years on campus and the work he did with faculty and students in his major.

International Student Support & Resources

Our welcoming and knowledgeable staff members will help you navigate the admissions, enrollment, and immigration process.  

Before You Arrive 

We will help you complete enrollment paperwork; assist with student visas and other immigration documents; and provide travel guidance and resources. 

When You Get Here 

Attend a special orientation that introduces you to the area where Centre is located, and your fellow international students. You’ll meet your international student mentor who will become one of your friends and help you acclimate to campus life. 

During Your Time at Centre 

The International Student Services office will support your academic and personal needs, such as getting a driver’s license or finding employment. The International Student Association and Diversity Student Union are two (of many) organizations that enrich our campus and celebrate Centre’s diversity.  

Preliminary Application 

This Preliminary Application is for international applicants who are interested in applying to Centre College for entrance in Fall 2024. 

  • Demonstrate your interest in considering Centre as a college choice. 
  • Ensure you receive updates about our admission process, scholarships, and important deadlines. 
  • Receive invitations to special online programming for international applicants.

International Pre-Application

Application Requirements 

Apply for free online using the Common Application at www.commonapp.org. Centre does not charge an application fee.  

Academic Records 

Official or attested copies of academic records must be submitted from all secondary schools attended, as well as from any university or other post-secondary institution attended. Records should include the subjects studied and the grade, mark, or other evidence that each subject was completed satisfactorily. Records should explain the grading system. If records are not in English, records should be submitted in the original language accompanied by a certified literal translation. Records will not be returned. 

Proof of English Proficiency 

All international applicants are required to provide proof of English proficiency. An international applicant can demonstrate proficiency in the following ways:

  • Test reports from either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), the IELTS (International English Testing System), Pearson PTE, OR the Duolingo English Test (DET). Our required minimum for the TOEFL iBT is 93, TOEFL Essentials is 9.5, IELTS is 7.0, Pearson PTE is 64, and DET is 125.
  • Completion of a high school curriculum in English, such as an IB or A-Level program, or attendance at a high school where English is the primary spoken language will also demonstrate English proficiency.
  • English is the student’s first/primary language.

If you believe our TOEFL/IELTS/DET requirement should be waived for you, please complete our waiver request form.

Note that we are only able to evaluate these forms after a student has completed their admission application, including supporting materials. Please note that all students who submit this waiver may be required to complete an interview and/or submit test scores to be considered for admission.

Optional: SAT or ACT Scores 

An SAT or ACT test score is not required for consideration for admission for international students, but may be submitted if available.  Centre College’s SAT/CEEB code is 1109, and its ACT code is 1506. 

How to send us your scores:  Score reports may be sent from the respective testing services, included on a student’s high school transcript, or emailed to admission@centre.edu by the applicant’s school counselor. Or, an applicant can self-report scores by submitting a screenshot or PDF of the score report via email to admission@centre.edu. Centre superscores both the SAT and the ACT, meaning that if you have taken either test more than once, you should submit all your scores, and we will add your highest section scores together to give you the highest possible combined score. 

Teacher Recommendation 

One letter of recommendation must be submitted as well as the School Report found in your application. Teachers who are familiar with your recent academic performance should write recommendations. The writers of recommendations may use the forms provided in the application or submit letters on a separate sheet of paper. The forms in the application can be copied. Recommendations should be mailed from the writers directly to the Office of Admission (or given to the applicant in a sealed envelope with the writer’s signature across the flap). 

Essay 

Applicants are required to submit at least one essay of 500-650 words written in English, included in their Common Application. The content of the essay should address one of the specific questions posed on the application. 

Extracurricular Activities

We invite you to include activities that you have been involved with outside the classroom on your Common Application. Activities may be in the form of volunteer work, leadership offices held, school clubs, research, athletics, etc.   

Certificate of Finance Form 

All international students MUST submit Centre’s online financial form in order to be considered for admission and scholarships. We do NOT require a separate financial aid application or copies of bank statements for international applicants. Centre does not accept the CSS profile.  

Certificate of Finance Form

Optional: Additional Information 

We invite you to share, on a separate sheet of paper, any additional information that you believe could be important in our evaluation of your application and that the other parts of the application have not given you the opportunity to convey. This should be included on your Common Application or submitted separately to admission@centre.edu

Scholarships for International Students 


International students are automatically considered for merit scholarships ranging from USD $7,500 to $29,000 per academic year. *You may apply separately for Centre’s competitive,  
full-cost plus, premier scholarship program and for the special scholarships listed below. 

 

General Merit Scholarships Amount
General Merit $7,500 – $29,000 
Premier Scholarship Amount
Lincoln Scholars Program Full-Cost-Plus 
Special Scholarships Amount
Performing Arts $3,000 – $5,000 
Visual Arts $3,000 – $5,000 
Language   $3,000 – $5,000

Learn more about scholarships for international students

 

Financial Aid for International Students 


Centre provides need-based financial aid to highly qualified admitted students. 

Over the last three years, need-based grants for international students ranged from $3,000-$21,000, with the average grant of $11,000 awarded to admitted students who required additional financial support. In most cases, financial aid grants are added to merit scholarships in order to meet the student’s financial need. 

If you are an international student looking for full funding, you should apply separately for one of our competitive premier scholarships. On average, four international students per year receive these full-funding scholarships.  

For students receiving financial aid, the college has limits to the aid available, leaving an average annual contribution of $25,000 USD per year for an international student receiving financial aid.  

All international applicants must submit documentation that states your ability to afford college fees. 

Certificate of Finance

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the concerns we have cleared up for International candidates throughout the years. 

All international students must submit our online Certificate of Finance, which states your ability to afford college fees. Certificate of Finance Form

Please know that if a student later intends to enroll at Centre College that they will need to show proof of financial support at the US consulate in order to obtain a student visa. 

We do NOT require a separate financial aid application (ISFAA), copies of bank statements, or the CSS profile for international applicants. A student may submit the ISFAA in lieu of the Certificate of Finance by emailing it to admission@centre.edu or uploading to the applicant portal. 

Need-based financial aid grants are available to highly qualified students, and can be combined with merit scholarships. Over the last three years, these grants ranged from $3,000-$21,000, with the average grant of $11,000 awarded to highly qualified admitted students who required additional financial support.  

For students receiving financial aid, the college has limits to the aid available, leaving an average annual contribution of $25,000 USD per year for an international student receiving financial aid. If you are an international student who is unable to afford this approximate amount, you should apply for our competitive premier scholarship. 

Lincoln Scholars Program 

Centre has two scholarship programs that offer full funding for international students. These competitive scholarship programs. 

Lincoln Scholars Program  

Each requires a separate online application. Centre does not offer full need-based funding for international students, and students who require a full scholarship should make plans to apply for the Lincoln program as the best and only ways to secure full funding at Centre. 

Centre sets its cost each year as a comprehensive fee. The estimated total cost for international students for 2020-21 is USD $62,600. This includes the base comprehensive fee of tuition, all academic fees, student housing, board (meals), and most cultural and athletic events on campus + required health insurance, books, transportation to campus, and personal expenses. The cost for each student will vary depending on scholarships and aid that may be awarded.  Please keep in mind that colleges do increase their tuition each year.  

 

Once you submit your application on CommmonApp.org, our office will send an email with log-in information for your Centre applicant portal, also called CentreNet. You can check the status of your application, see missing materials, and submit certain documents via this portal. 

How to log into CentreNet 

Score reports may be sent from the respective testing services, included on a student’s high school transcript, or emailed to admission@centre.edu by the applicant’s school counselor. Or, an applicant can self-report scores by submitting a screenshot or PDF of the score report via email to admission@centre.edu. This policy applies to SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test. Centre superscores both the SAT and the ACT, meaning that if you have taken either test more than once, you should submit all your scores, and we will add your highest section scores together to give you the highest possible combined score. If an applicant who self-reports scores decides to attend Centre, they must submit official copies of test reports prior to enrollment. 

If you believe our TOEFL/IELTS/DET requirement should be waived, please submit a waiver form for consideration. 

English Proficiency Test Waiver Request  

When Centre reviews an international applicant for admission, we need some reassurance that, if admitted, the student will be able to afford to attend our institution. That is why we ask for the Certificate of Finance which states the family’s ability to pay for education. It is sometimes the case that while a student’s credentials would make them a very qualified applicant, we will not be able to offer admission due to a lack of finances. We do sometimes place students on a financial aid waitlist, which indicates that while we would like to offer admission, we are unable to do so unless the student: a) receives a premier scholarship from Centre, or b) the family amends the Certificate of Finance to show a greater capacity to pay educational expenses.

If a student needs a significant amount of financial assistance to afford attendance to Centre College (beyond our general international student merit scholarships), they should apply separately for the Lincoln Scholars Program, which provides full financial support. The Program is open to international applicants and requires a separate online application. The deadline to apply for this program is December 1; finalists are named in February and recipients are named in April. 

Financial Aid

Need-based financial aid grants are available to highly qualified students and can be combined with merit scholarships. Over the last three years, these grants ranged from $3,000-$21,000, with the average grant of $11,000 awarded to highly qualified admitted students who required additional financial support.  

For students receiving financial aid, the college has limits to the aid available, leaving an average annual contribution of $25,000 USD per year for an international student receiving financial aid. If you are an international student who is unable to afford this approximate amount, you should apply for the Lincoln Scholars Program.

If a student wants/needs full funding to attend Centre, they can apply separately for the Lincoln Scholars Program, which is Centre’s only option for covering the full cost of attendance. 

Interviews are optional for international applicants. Students who apply to Centre will be invited via email to sign up for an optional virtual interview (Skype, FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, or WeChat) after they submit their application. Interviews are available on a limited basis, and are not mandatory. 

 

Additional Information  

International students with U.S. status (resident, refugee/asylee) should apply as U.S. students; international students who will have non-immigrant status (usually F-1) follow a slightly different procedure. We give careful attention to every application that we receive. The most important criterion for admission is academic promise at our college. Centre encourages qualified students to apply for admission.  Only completed applications will be reviewed for admission. 

If you are a student needing significant financial aid to attend Centre, we recommend that you apply to Centre on our Early Action or Regular Decision plans, so that you may apply separately for our premier scholarship programs. 

Application Deadlines 

Application Plan Deadline Admissions Notification Date Deposit Deadline
Early Decision (Binding) November 15 Early Jan February 1 
Early Action (Non-binding) December 1 mid-February May 1 
Regular Decision (Non-binding) January 15 April 1 May 1 


Costs/Comprehensive Fee 

Centre sets its cost each year as a comprehensive fee. This fee includes tuition, all academic fees, student housing, board (meals), and most cultural and athletic events on campus. Please keep in mind that colleges do increase their tuition each year. The total cost for international students for 2020-21 is $62,600. International students are eligible for merit scholarships and partial need-based financial aid. 

View Cost of Attendance 

Financial Aid 

Need-based financial aid grants are available to highly qualified students, and can be combined with merit scholarships. Over the last three years, these grants ranged from $3,000-$21,000, with the average grant of $11,000 awarded to highly qualified admitted students who required additional financial support.  

For students receiving financial aid, the college has limits to the aid available, leaving an average annual contribution of $25,000 USD per year for an international student receiving financial aid. If you are an international student who is unable to afford this approximate amount, you should apply for our competitive premier scholarship.  

If a student wants/needs full funding in order to attend Centre, they can apply separately for our premier scholarship programs which is Centre’s only option for covering the full cost of attendance. 

Lincoln Scholars Program 

 

Quick Facts 

  • All international applicants are considered for fall term enrollment, which begins in September. 
  • Completed applications must be submitted to the Office of Admission by November 15 (Early Decision), December 1 (Early Action) or January 15 (Regular Decision) depending on your application plan. 
  • Contact Joy Joy Htet, Associate Director of Admission at joyjoy.htet@centre.edu for more information about Centre and our admission process. 
  • If you are admitted and choose to enroll at Centre College, you will need to remit a USD 400 non-refundable enrollment deposit by either February 1 (for Early Decision) or May 1 (for Early Action and Regular Decision) to secure your admission. Centre issues I-20 paperwork after receiving the enrollment deposit. 
  • If you need more information about going to college in the United States the Department of Homeland Security has a website 

Study in the States

You can expect college fees to increase slightly each year (on average 3-4%), however, scholarship amounts do not increase annually. Students who need additional financial aid after they have enrolled at Centre should contact the financial aid office at finaid@centre.edu. It is not common for need-based grants to increase each year, but we will do our best to take individual circumstances into consideration for enrolled students. 

 

Documents to Bring 

When you come to the U.S., you should bring with you any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history: 

  • Official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or universities 
  • Medical and dental records, including certificates of immunizations and vaccinations 
  • Information about medical conditions or treatments, prescriptions for medication and eyeglasses 
  • International driver’s license 

Before you leave your home country, if these documents are not in English, obtain English translations and have the translations certified by a U.S. educational advising center or a U.S. consulate or embassy. Retain photocopies of all original documents for your records. 

 

Certificate of Eligibility 

Students outside the United States will need a Certificate of Eligibility to apply for a student visa and to enter the United States (INS Form 1-20 for F-1 student). F-1 students who are already in the United States will need a Certificate of Eligibility to continue their current status. 

Centre College will issue the Certificate of Eligibility once we have received two items: 1) the student’s USD 400 enrollment deposit and 2) the certification of finances showing adequate financial support. We will then tell you how to pay the fee required to receive an I-20 form. 

 

Meet Students & Faculty 

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Admission Office Contacts

Contact your personal admission counselor with your top questions about Centre.