Life at Centre
First-Generation Students

First-Generation Students

Centre College is committed to providing access, opportunity, and personal support to first-generation students

First-generation students make up 21% of our student body. At least one of every six Centre faculty members are also first-generation graduates, providing mentorship and support for the success of all students and especially those who are first in their family to attend college.

Centre College is proud to provide extensive financial and personal support to all our first-generation students. So proud that we guarantee incoming first-generation students receive at least one of the following:

More in First-Generation Students

Four-Year Scholarship

Grissom Scholars Program

Centre College’s commitment to opportunity and an excellent liberal arts and sciences education for students of all backgrounds is deeply reflected in the Grissom Scholars Program, one of the College’s premier scholarships. Available to first-year applicants, each year the program offers ten high achieving first-generation college students a full-tuition scholarship and $5,000 in educational enrichment funds.

Learn More about the Grissom Scholars Program

A tree with spring leaves and flowers in front of Crounse Hall at Centre College

Four-Year Mentored Cohort

Kessler Scholars Program

Delivering on its commitment to ensure educational access and achievement for first-generation students, Centre College partners with the Kessler Scholars Collaborative, a program that connects high-achieving first-generation students with individualized support and cohort-based programming designed to foster academic, professional and personal growth.

Learn more about the Kessler Scholars program

Students use their bodies to spell out Centre in front of the Louvre in Paris

Supplemental Funding

Thrive Enrichment Funds

A$10 million gift from an anonymous donor provides access to study abroad, internships and other educational opportunities for first-generation students. Centre provides all incoming first-generation students with $5,000 in enrichment funding in addition to their generous financial aid packages.

First-Generation Office

Speak with dedicated staff who are working hard every day to support first-generation students at Centre College. On campus, visit the First-Generation Office on the second floor of the Combs Center to meet with staff.