headSTART is here to help you figure out college before you need to figure everything out on your own. You'll learn about important resources, services and information that can make starting at Centennial a little easier, from getting registered and knowing what to expect in class to finding support when you need it.
No, headSTART isn't mandatory. But we strongly recommend completing it. Think of it as a shortcut to answering some of the questions you may not even know you have yet. The more you know about what's available to you and how things work at Centennial, the easier it can be to navigate your first semester and beyond.
That's completely normal. Many students start college hoping to make friends while also feeling a little nervous about putting themselves out there.
Start small. Attend Orientation, join a club, visit a campus event, or simply say hello to someone in class. You don't need to find your best friends on your first day.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply showing up. The good news is that plenty of other students are looking to make connections too. When you're ready, clubs, campus events, Orientation activities, and the student association can help you find your community at Centennial.
If you decide to leave your program, make sure you officially withdraw. Dropping your courses, not attending classes, or telling your professor that you are leaving does not officially withdraw you from your program.
Your eligibility for a refund depends on when you withdraw and your student status, so check the Withdrawal and Refunds information before submitting your request.
For domestic students, if you are already registered in classes, you generally need to submit your withdrawal request within the first 10 days of the semester to be eligible for a partial refund. After the 10th day, fees for the current semester are normally non-refundable.
To start the withdrawal process, log in to myCentennial → Registration Services → CASS and submit your request.
International student? The withdrawal and refund process is different, so be sure to review the International Student Withdrawal Policy before submitting your withdrawal request.
Questions about your study permit, Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), visa, work eligibility, immigration status or travel should be directed to an International Student Advisor (ISA).
To connect with an ISA, you can:
- Submit a CASS request for International Student Advising
- Join one of the ISA's online drop-in sessions
International Student Advisors are the best source of information for immigration-related questions and can provide guidance based on your individual situation.
If you're looking to add or drop a course, which can include changing sections (to an alternate time or date the course is offered) the first step is to log into your myCentennial >Academic>Steps to Register>Build Your Timetable.
During registration periods you are able to make changes yourself. You can also review the How to Register and Build Your Timetable webpage for registration information and resources.
If you require additional support or run into issues Submit a CASS request to Add or Drop a course depending on your need. Include as much information as possible about what you'd like to change. The Enrolment Services team can help you understand your options and make changes for you.
If you have bigger questions about how adding or dropping a course will impact your academic progression or student status, you can submit a CASS request for Success Advising to speak with your Success Advisor.
Your Centennial student number is your 9-digit Centennial College ID. You can find it on your Offer of Admission letter. You’ll use this number to log in to myCentennial and access many of your student services, so it’s a good number to keep handy!
First, let's figure out what isn't working:
I can't log in to myCentennial, Experience Centennial or Luminate:
If you're having trouble with your Centennial login, password or SSO, contact the IT Service Desk for help. They can assist with login and authentication issues, password resets, myCentennial and Luminate access. You can contact the IT Service Desk at ITServiceDesk@centennialcollege.ca or 416-289-5280.
I can log in to Luminate, but I can't find headSTART:
That's different! If you can successfully log in to Luminate but headSTART is missing or you can't access the headSTART course, email SCE@centennialcollege.ca with the subject line “headSTART” and we'll help you.
You can find your Orientation registration link right in headSTART! Look for it in your headSTART course in Luminate or in your headSTART newsletters.You can also visit the Centennial College Orientation webpage to view upcoming Orientation dates, schedules and information.
If you can attend Orientation, we really encourage you to go! In addition to learning what you need to know before classes begin, you'll have the chance to connect with your program, meet College services and ask questions in person.
If you can't make it, don't worry! A Second Chance Orientation is offered after the main Orientation dates. The date and registration information will be posted on the Orientation webpage.
Recordings of online Orientation sessions are also posted on the Orientation webpage after Orientation. Keep in mind that program-specific sessions aren't recorded, and watching a recording won't give you the opportunity to attend the Service Fair, so we recommend attending in person if you can.
Don’t panic! A hold can be placed on your account for different reasons, so the first step is to check the details of your hold in myCentennial. The information provided with the hold will help you understand why it’s there and which department you need to connect with.
Once you know which department your hold is related to, submit a CASS request to that department and include information about the hold. Your request will be reviewed by the appropriate team, and they’ll follow up with you if any additional information is needed. Because not all holds are the same, make sure you follow any instructions provided with your specific hold.
Having trouble building your timetable? Start by checking the How to Register and Build Your Timetable webpage for registration information and step-by-step guides.
If you’ve tried to build your timetable and something isn’t working or you need help with your courses, submit a CASS request to Add or Drop a course depending on your need. Include as much information as possible about what you'd like to change. The Enrolment Services team can help make changes for you or escalate to your Success Advisor if necessary.
See a hold on your account? Check the details of the hold first, as you may need to resolve it before you can continue with registration.
I have a problem with an international document
You can pay your tuition and other fees through myCentennial. Log in to your account, go to Academics Home → Steps to Register → Make a Payment, and follow the instructions to complete your payment.
There are different payment options depending on how and where you are paying. Visit the Pay Your Tuition webpage to find the payment option that works best for you.
Not sure how much you owe or when it's due? Check your Fee Estimate in myCentennial for your tuition amount and payment deadlines.
Don't worry! Missing a headSTART webinar doesn't mean you've missed out on headSTART.
Webinar recordings are posted in the headSTART course after the session, so you can catch up whenever it works for your schedule. We encourage you to watch the recording and continue working through the rest of the program at your own pace.
headSTART and Orientation are different, but they work together to help you get ready for college.
Think of headSTART as your guide before you arrive. It gives you helpful information, reminders and resources so you can start figuring things out before your first day. Orientation is your welcome to college!
It’s your chance to meet people, connect with your program and learn more about what to expect when you start. We recommend taking part in both so you can feel prepared before you arrive and more confident when you get here.
Welcome back! You may already be familiar with Centennial College, but things may have changed since you were last here. headSTART isn’t mandatory, but we still recommend checking it out.
You can use it as a refresher, learn about resources or services you may not have used before, and catch up on anything that’s new.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the headSTART program, please contact us by completing the Centennial Access to Student Services (CASS) Request Form.