PROVIDENCE – Providence College has instituted an early-decision deadline to offer prospective students the chance to commit to the school and receive financial aid and merit awards by January of their high school senior year.

“This gives students who truly want to attend Providence College … an opportunity to show that, and commit early,” said Raul Fonts, dean of admission and financial aid in a statement.

Providence College already offers early-action applications which require no commitment. That application has a Nov. 1 deadline. Early-decision applications must be turned in by Dec. 1. Accepted early decision students will receive word by mid-January and must commit by Feb. 15. Early action and regular-decision students have until May 1.

The school’s applicant pool has grown from more than 4,300 prospective students in 2000 to nearly 10,000 in 2011. Some 4,000 prospective students applied early action last year.

Fonts said admission officials expect to accept a higher percentage of students, up to 70 percent, who make the early-decision commitment. •