Need-based and merit-based
Need-based aid includes grants, loans, and work-study. Merit-based aid includes scholarships. Here we will focus primarily on need-based aid with a brief overview of our three types of scholarships: general merit, special, and premier.
Incoming students for Fall 2025 should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile. Both the FAFSA and CSS Profile will help us in determining your specific financial need. Only returning students applying for aid must complete the Centre Aid Form each year. Returning students can submit a Centre Aid Form via Centrenet.
Through the Centre Promise, Centre is proud to meet 100% of your calculated financial need. Based on what you report in the FAFSA and CSS Profile, our Financial Aid Office will calculate how much your family can pay. By subtracting your calculated family contribution from the total cost of attendance, we determine your financial need. We provide you with a financial aid package that meets 100% of your calculated financial need through a combination of scholarships, grants, work study, and loans.
A grant is a gift. You do not have to repay it. You must file an application for financial aid so that the amount of the grant award can be determined. Grants can come from the college, the state, or the Federal Government. These awards are based on need and are awarded for one year at a time.
A federally funded program. You are automatically considered for the grant when you submit the FAFSA. Recipients must take a minimum of 12 hours per billing period to receive a maximum Pell Grant.
The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) is a need-based aid program to help Kentucky residents attend eligible Kentucky private colleges. The College Access Program (KCAP) grant is a need-based aid program to help Kentucky residents attend eligible Kentucky private and public colleges. Centre College may have to reduce the KHEAA grant due to receipt of scholarship dollars. You must take a minimum of 12 hours each long term to receive your state grant.
Administered and awarded by the College and funded by Centre’s endowment, alumni gifts, and other income.
A federal grant program administered through Centre. Requires no additional application. Eligibility is determined from an analysis of your FAFSA data.
Student loan programs offer low interest rates. Most loans offer delayed repayment, which means that you do not begin loan payments until after you graduate. The Financial Aid Office must certify each student loan application. This will assist you in determining the amount to borrow.
Federal Stafford Loan dollars come from the federal government through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The Federal Stafford Direct Loan is a loan that must be repaid after graduation or withdrawal. A student must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for a Stafford Loan. A subsidized Stafford Loan is need-based and the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled in college. An unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not need-based; therefore, the student is responsible for paying the interest while he/she is in school.
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is limited to parent borrowers and can be obtained from the government. The 2023-24 PLUS Loan has a fixed interest rate capped at 8.05%. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is disbursed and can extend over 10 years.
In some cases, alternative/private loans have interest rates, repayment terms, and deferment options that are less favorable than those of the Direct Loan Programs. FastChoice will help educate students and will provide an historical listing of alternative loan lenders that Centre College students have used over the last four years. Centre College does not rank, recommend, promote, or endorse any of these lenders. We strongly encourage you to review each lender’s information considering interest rates, loan fees, repayment terms, and deferment and forbearance options before choosing a lender. The student is free to choose any lender.
The Federal Work-Study Program allows you to work on campus to earn money to help pay for college. You are paid for hours worked, and you gain valuable practical experience. Your hours are arranged around your class schedule. You must be eligible based on your FAFSA to qualify for Federal Work-Study.
Scholarships are gifts that are based upon academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and leadership. Scholarships are renewable for four years and carry an obligation to perform at a certain level of achievement.
No separate application is required, 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. Renewable based on GPA.
These scholarships recognize students with special interests who demonstrate the potential to contribute to certain programs or areas of campus life. A separate application or candidate form is required for students to compete for these special scholarship opportunities.
Centre’s two 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. Separate applications are required for the Lincoln Scholars and Grissom Scholars Programs. Renewable based on GPA and program participation.
For Kentucky high school graduates. The amount earned is based on your high school GPA and ACT score. The amount listed on your financial aid award is a Centre College estimate—revised in September once we have your official KEES award amount. Check your estimated KEES award online by visiting the KHEAA web site.
All scholarships from agencies other than Centre must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. (Aid adjustments may have to be made.) Scholarships of $1,000 or less normally require no change to the Centre grant. Scholarships of $1,000 or more may reduce the Centre grant.