Carthage College: Deposit Information and Enrollment Guide

Choosing the right college is a significant decision, and Carthage College strives to make the enrollment process as smooth as possible. This guide provides comprehensive information about deposit procedures, application requirements, financial aid, and other essential details for prospective students.

Why Choose Carthage?

Carthage College offers a unique educational experience focused on personal connection and individual growth. With small classes, students benefit from close relationships with professors who serve as mentors. The college provides a supportive environment where students can explore their interests, discover their purpose, and prepare for future success.

Carthage provides room to stretch your comfort zone. The college offers opportunities that knock the loudest, and also a place to find your purpose and connect the dots.

Application Process

Carthage is currently accepting applications for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026 undergraduate admission. The college operates on a rolling admission basis, reviewing applications as they are completed.

How to Apply

You can apply for admission to Carthage anytime after you finish your junior year of high school. Apply online through the online Carthage application or Common App, your choice! The Carthage application is always non-binding.

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Carthage does not offer Early Decision (where you commit early to attend). Instead, Carthage offers Early Review/Early Notification. If you apply early, Carthage will review your application early, notify you of your acceptance early, and send you scholarship information early. If you apply during the summer between junior and senior year, you will know by the end of August whether you have been accepted.

Application Requirements

To complete your application, you will need the following:

An official high school transcript.
SAT/ACT scores (if you would like your scores considered). Carthage is test-optional, meaning the college will review your application for admission and scholarships with or without ACT or SAT test scores. No test-optional form/steps are required. If you choose to submit your test scores, Carthage does superscore ACT/SAT results.
$35 non-refundable application fee.

Application for Transfer Students

Transfer students usually enter Carthage in the fall or spring semesters, but applications also are considered for terms beginning in January and June. The Carthage application is always non-binding. Transfer students must submit:

Official transcripts from all college-level course work.
Certification of Good Standing Form completed by previous/last institution.

Carthage gives full value to transcripts and records from institutions accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and similar regional associations when comparable courses or areas are taught at Carthage. Credits will be transferred for courses in which grades of “C” (or its equivalent at Carthage) or above are earned. Credits which are transferred will be entered on the student’s permanent record without reference to the grade earned.

Application for International Students

First-year and transfer students usually enter Carthage in the fall semester, but applications also are considered for terms beginning in January, February, and June. The Carthage application is always non-binding. International students must submit:

Official transcripts, certificates, and diplomas from your secondary school program and any previous university that you have attended.
Official TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic scores. For TOEFL, a minimum score of 78 is required for the iBT, and 213 on the computer version. The minimum score for IELTS is 6.0. The minimum score for PTE Academic is 50. Scores must be sent directly to Carthage from the testing agency. (Carthage offers Conditional Acceptance for students who meet our admission requirements but require additional English preparation prior to enrolling.
SAT-I scores are optional but encouraged for international students. International students who submit SAT-I scores receive additional scholarship consideration.
Certification of Finances form. All monetary amounts listed on the certification of finances form must be certified by bank officials.

Advance Deposit

Once a student has been admitted to Carthage, an advance deposit of $200 is requested to hold a place in the entering class. For students starting in the fall term, this deposit is completely refundable up to May 1 of the initial year of attendance.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Carthage awards more than $20 million in scholarship and grant assistance. That includes $1.5 million in competitive scholarships in business, mathematics, science, languages, the fine arts, leadership, and overall academic strength. The deadline to apply for most undergraduate competitive scholarships is Dec. 3.

We recommend that you file the FAFSA in late fall of your senior year of high school for maximum Carthage financial aid consideration. Carthage’s code is 003839.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Advanced Placement Examinations, consisting of both objective and free-response sections, are administered to students who have completed college-level Advanced Placement courses in high school. A score of 1 through 5 is assigned by a group of evaluators based on the score for the objective section and review of the free-response questions. Carthage awards credit in recognition of scores 3 through 5, and the required score to receive college credit may vary from course to course.

J-Term Study Tours

Because of the uncertainty around travel, Carthage has had to review existing policies and practices related to the financial management of our J-Term study tours. Students are required to make a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot once an application to the study tour has been accepted.

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Participation in any study tour requires that a student be and remain in good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing; maintain consistent and timely communication with the program leaders; and engage fully with all pre-departure programming.

Students who seek to withdraw or cancel between September 1 and November 30 will be responsible for all non-recoverable costs in addition to their non-refundable deposit. Students who seek to withdraw or cancel between February 1 and April 30 will be responsible for all non-recoverable costs, in addition to their non-refundable deposit.

Because of the uncertainty around travel, Carthage can no longer assume the sole financial risk of refunding 100 percent of student fees if the College is forced to cancel a study tour. Therefore, Carthage now strongly recommends that all participants in off-campus programs purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) travel insurance. This insurance is designed to protect your investment in the event you are unable to participate in the intended program. Most CFAR policies will cover up to 75 percent of unrecovered costs. In the event that the College is forced to cancel a study tour, Carthage is committed to covering the remaining unrecovered expenses (up to 25 percent of the total cost of the study tour). While Carthage does not require the use of a specific insurance agency or provider, the College has reviewed policies from several reputable insurance companies that offer this form of coverage at reasonable rates, such as Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). CFAR insurance premiums are typically between six and eight percent of the total program cost and must be purchased within 21 days of the initial deposit payment. All participants will now be required to provide proof of insurance as part of the documentation required for their chosen Study Tour.

J-Term On-Campus Courses

Full-time, full-year students: For students who attend Carthage full-time in both the fall and spring terms, two on-campus J-Term courses are included as part of your tuition for four years. Students taking a third or fourth on-campus J-Term will be charged at the per-credit rate. Students living on campus during J-Term will be charged a housing fee. This includes students enrolled in a course, engaged in student teaching, participating in athletics, working on campus, or completing an internship. Students participating in a study tour or required to remain on campus for athletic practices or competitions will be charged a prorated housing fee based on the number of days they are required to be on campus. A meal plan is not included with the J-Term housing fee. Students can choose to purchase blocks of meals during J-Term. These blocks of meals are available to both residential and commuter students, as well as other students who are on campus during J-Term, such as student-athletes and student workers. Unused Birdie Bucks from the Fall semester will be available to use during J-Term.

Campus Life

With more than 130 student organizations, you’ll find a place to shine. Maybe you’ll join a music ensemble. (You don’t need to be a music major, so don’t pack away that cello just yet.) Maybe you’ll be on the court, helping the Firebirds win another national championship. Maybe esports are more your style. Carthage has a new coed varsity team. On those days you’re not in the stands or on a stage, enjoy performances by famous musicians and comedians.

Visit Carthage

Already accepted? Carthage offers in-person individual and group visits, as well as virtual information sessions. Personal connection is an enormous part of the Carthage experience right from the start.

We have many great events, including visit programs, athletics, theatre, music, and so much more!

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