Students walking through lineup on graduation day in cap and gown being cheered on by professors

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. 

Applying to Centre Application deadlines Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid Scholarships  Student Support

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.

Quick Facts

  • All international applicants are considered for fall term enrollment, which begins in September.
  • Complete our Preliminary Application if you have strong interest in attending Centre.
  • Completed official 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 the Associate Director of Admission 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.

Learn more about going to college in the U.S. 

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.

Preliminary Application 

If you have a strong interest in Centre and want to receive early admission information, fill out our quick pre-application which is accepted through November 15.

The Pre-application asks for some basic information:

  • 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.

The preliminary application does not replace the official application. To be formally considered for admission to Centre, you must apply using the Common App.

International Pre-Application
 

Applying to Centre

It’s easy and absolutely free to apply to Centre online using the Common Application.

Apply Now!

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Application PlanDeadline AdmissionsNotification DateDeposit Deadline
Early Decision (Binding)November 15Early JanFebruary 1 
Early Action (Non-binding)December 1mid-FebruaryMay 1 
Regular Decision (Non-binding)January 15April 1May 1 

Application Requirements

Our admission process considers a number of factors to help us know more about you including academic records, English proficiency, teacher recommendations, a written essay, and a certificate of finance. Other optional information may be submitted if you feel it’s helpful to your admission.

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.

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.

Submit a waiver request 

Note: 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.

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).

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.

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. 

Submit the Certificate of Finance form

Admission Office Contacts

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

Cost of Attendance

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. You can expect college fees to increase slightly each year (on average 3-4%). However, scholarship amounts do not increase annually and students who need additional financial aid after they have enrolled at Centre should contact the financial aid office. While international students are eligible for partial need-based financial aid, it is not common for need-based grants to increase each year. We will do our best to take individual circumstances into consideration for enrolled students.

View the cost of attending Centre
 

Financial Aid for International Students

Need-based financial aid grants and merit scholarships are available to highly qualified students. 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. In most cases, financial aid grants are added to merit scholarships in order to meet the student’s financial need.

For students receiving financial aid, the college has limits to the aid available, leaving an average annual family contribution of $25,000 USD per year for international students. We recommend that students who need significant financial aid to attend Centre, apply on our Early Action or Regular Decision plans, to allow appropriate time to apply separately for scholarship programs.
 

Scholarships for International Students

International students are automatically considered for  merit scholarships ranging from USD $7,500 to $29,000 per academic year. Separate scholarship applications are required for Centre’s competitive Lincoln Scholars Program and for the special scholarships listed below.

General Merit ScholarshipAmount
General Merit$15,000 – $30,000 
Premier ScholarshipsAmount
Lincoln Scholars ProgramFull-Cost-Plus 
Special ScholarshipsAmount
Performing Arts$3,000 – $5,000 
Visual Arts$3,000 – $5,000 
Language  $3,000 – $5,000

Learn more about our scholarships

Aid and Scholarships Information

Have Questions?

Below are some of the concerns we have cleared up for International candidates throughout the years. If you have additional questions, contact the Admission office.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

 

International Student Support

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

Meet Students and Faculty

Speak with a current student or faculty member to get a feel for our community and culture.

Request to connect with a student or faculty 

Before You Arrive

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

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.

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.

International Student Services