SCHOLARSHIPS
Centre offers three types of scholarships: general merit, special, and premier scholarships.
GENERAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
We automatically consider you for these scholarships when we consider you for admission. General merit scholarship consideration is based on a comprehensive review of your credentials and contributions. They are awarded to approximately half of our annual applicant pool. No separate application required. Renewable based on GPA.
GENERAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS |
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|---|---|
| Automatic consideration upon receipt of Common Application. | |
| Faculty Scholarship | $26,000 |
| Colonel Scholarship | $24,000 |
| Founders Scholarship | $22,000 |
| Centre Award | $19,000 |
| Alumni Award | $7,500 |
| Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 |
| MERIT & SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS (PDF) | |
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
These scholarships recognize students with special interests who demonstrate the potential to contribute to certain programs or areas of campus life.
SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS |
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|---|---|
| Separate online application required. | |
| Bonner Scholarship – APPLY HERE | $26,000 plus priority consideration for financial aid. Eligible for some loan forgiveness programs upon graduation. Renewable. |
| New Horizons – APPLY HERE | $26,000 plus priority consideration for financial aid. Renewable. |
| Language – APPLY HERE | $2,500-$5,000. Renewable and stackable. |
| Performing Arts – APPLY HERE | $2,500-$5,000. Renewable and stackable. |
Centre is part of the national Bonner Program, a leadership program that emphasizes community service and civic engagement. The program includes on-campus mentoring and a community of other service-oriented students. The majority of Bonner scholarships are reserved for students with significant financial need. Separate application required.
New Horizons Scholarship
This scholarship recognizes students who are likely to provide campus leadership on issues of diversity in race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and physical disability, amongst others. The program includes on-campus mentoring and New Horizons cohort meetings throughout the year. Up to 40 New Horizons scholars are selected for each incoming class. Separate application required.
Language Scholarship
For students with a strong background of study in French, German, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, or Spanish who wish to continue their study of language and culture at Centre. Majoring/minoring in a language is not required. Language scholarship recipients will: 1) take two semesters of their target language at Centre, and 2) either two semesters of another foreign language or one semester of another foreign language + Linguistics 210 (a 3.0 minimum GPA is required in language courses), and 3) participate in a study abroad semester. Language scholarship recipients are expected to participate in events to create/promote awareness for language/culture. Separate application and faculty interview required.
Performing Arts Scholarship
For students with talent and interest in drama, instrumental or vocal music, and technical theater. Majoring/minoring in performing arts is not required. Separate application and audition/interview required for consideration.
PREMIER SCHOLARSHIPS
Centre’s three most competitive scholarship programs recognize 10 incoming students per program annually. We welcome nominations for our premier scholarship programs, although a nomination is not required for consideration. A separate application is required. Renewable based on GPA and program participation.
PREMIER SCHOLARSHIPS |
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|---|---|
| Separate online application required. | |
| Brown Fellows | Full-cost-plus |
| Grissom Scholars | Full-tuition-plus |
| Lincoln Scholars | Full-cost-plus |
Brown Fellows
The Brown Fellows Program recognizes 10 incoming students annually who have achieved academically at the highest level and who are likely to be model scholars at Centre. The program includes:
- Four-year, full-cost-plus scholarship, including tuition, room, and board
- $10,000 in enrichment funds
- On-campus program mentor and additional off-campus travel opportunities
- Customized leadership projects that span the student’s collegiate career
Grissom Scholars
The Grissom Scholars Program is designed for outstanding first-generation college students who exhibit character, ambition, and achievement both in and out of the classroom and have substantial financial need. The program recognizes 10 incoming students annually and includes:
- Four-year, full-tuition-plus scholarship, plus additional aid to cover any remaining financial need
- $5,000 in enrichment funds
- Individual mentoring and academic guidance for all four years
- Regular leadership and group activities with other Grissom Scholars
Lincoln Scholars
Named for the16th president of the United States, the Lincoln Scholars Program is designed for students who have the capacity and a deep desire to change the world. The program recognizes 10 incoming students annually and includes:
- Four-year, full-cost-plus scholarship, including tuition, room, and board
- Fully funded summer enrichment experiences
- On-campus program mentor and additional off-campus travel opportunities
SCHOLARSHIP GUARANTEES
Legacy Scholarship
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) or grandparent(s) attended Centre on their application materials.
Centre Fellows Guarantee
An admitted Centre student accepted as a Centre Fellow will automatically receive the Founders Scholarship ($22,000 per year) and will be considered for other general merit scholarships. Centre Fellows are nominated by their high school guidance/college counselor in Spring of junior year, and the nomination must be approved by the Office of Admission. If a student is awarded a more valuable general merit scholarship, it will replace (not “stack” onto) the $22,000 Founder’s Scholarship.
Centre Fellows Credentials:
- Class rank in the top 5% of the junior class with a strong college preparatory curriculum
- SAT of 1310 (Revised PSAT of 1270 or higher), OR ACT Composite of 28 (Pre-ACT of 28 or higher)
- Sincere interest in a liberal arts and sciences education
- Outstanding citizens of their high school and community
Governor’s School Guarantees
Centre also recognizes Kentucky students who are alumni of either the Governor’s Scholars Program, the Governor’s School for the Arts, or the Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs with a special scholarship guarantee. Students who successfully complete these programs and meet the following criteria automatically receive the Founders Scholarship ($22,000 per year). The GSA/GSP/GSE guarantee is reserved for students who have: 1) been admitted to the College, 2) GPA of 3.5 or higher (core academic courses only), 3) Top 10% of their class (if school ranks), 4) ACT composite of 28 or higher or an equivalent SAT score. This is only a minimum scholarship level, and students may be eligible for a more valuable scholarship based on specific qualifications. If a student is awarded a more valuable general merit scholarship, it will replace (not “stack” onto) the $22,000 Founder’s Scholarship.
Austin E. Knowlton Memorial Scholarship opens doors for Ohio students
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.
“Scholarships enable bright and aspiring young men and women to obtain the benefits of a life-shaping education,” says Centre College President John Roush. “These types of scholarships make a difference in the lives of our students, and we are grateful for them.”
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 co-founder of the Cincinnati Bengals.