The Centre Promise: College pledges to meet financial need of all incoming first-year students

Centre College is building on its role as a national leader in expanding college access by launching the Centre Promise, a comprehensive financial aid initiative aimed at further lowering barriers between promising high school students and a premier liberal arts and sciences education.  

Through the Centre Promise, the College pledges to meet 100% of the calculated financial need of all incoming first-year students starting in the fall of 2025. It’s the latest step in a series of initiatives that have seen Centre move to the forefront of efforts to increase access and affordability for aspiring college students.  

“A Centre education can unlock an amazing future. Cost should not be a barrier to accessing transformative, life-changing experiences. The Centre Promise helps make that possible,” said President Milton C. Moreland. “The Centre Promise was borne out of the dedication of our Board of Trustees and the work of our college community to welcome the talented students from all backgrounds to Centre College.”

The initiative provides clarity for families facing the daunting task of sorting through the financial maze of tuition, room, board, scholarships, grants, state and federal aid, and student loans — all while trying to figure out how much they will pay in the end.  

The Centre Promise simplifies the financial aid process by compiling the cost of attendance — including tuition, housing, food and fees — calculating how much each family can pay and promising to bridge the gap between the two.  

The College can meet full need thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni who have provided financial support to launch this initiative. Fundraising to permanently endow these scholarship and financial aid programs will continue as part of Centre College’s ongoing mission to open doors of opportunity for all talented students, regardless of socioeconomic background.

“Around the globe, Centre alumni in countless career fields are working diligently to make the world a better place and shape a brighter tomorrow,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement Kelly Knetsche. “The Centre Promise will allow even more future leaders to unlock their highest potential and join the ranks of Centre graduates who are living fulfilling, rewarding lives and pursuing their passions.”  

Alongside its investments in affordability, the College has also worked to increase access for underrepresented populations. Since the creation of the Grissom Scholars Program for high-achieving students who are the first in their families to attend college, Centre has seen the enrollment of first-generation college students grow from 8.9% in 2015 to more than 21%. Over that same time, Centre has seen significant growth in Pell-eligible students from 14.5% to more than 24%.

In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized Centre College as an American Talent Initiative (ATI) High-Flier, a group of 28 high-graduation-rate institutions that are national leaders in college access and success for lower-income students. Centre also signed onto the Coalition for College in 2023, joining more than 150 top schools in the nation committed to helping students learn about, prepare for and apply to college.  

“We’re dedicated to ensuring that nothing stands in the way of our brightest high school students receiving a Centre education,” said Chad Spencer, Centre’s vice president for enrollment management. “Our commitment to equal opportunity drives our admission team to seek out excellence in all its forms. The Centre Promise makes it even easier for us to connect talented students with an exceptional education.”

To learn more about the Centre Promise, visit Centre.edu/centre-promise.