College Terms

ACT (American College Testing Program).  The American College Testing Program’s standardized test battery for secondary school students, used by colleges and universities for admissions and placement purposes.  Predominantly used in the Midwest but becoming more popular nationally.

Admissions Counselor.  One of the most important people in the college admissions process.  They are assigned as a representative of the college to recruit students.  Get to know the admissions counselor well because they are key figures in getting a student accepted and getting financial aid.

Admissions Office.  The office of a college that recruits students and takes application forms for admission.  All initial letters of inquiry should be sent here.  After the initial contact is made, the Admissions Director will assign a counselor to the region of the country the student lives.

Advanced Placement.  Students may have introductory courses waived and be placed in higher-level courses for students who demonstrate knowledge in a given subject.

Application Fee.  A fee that colleges request when students apply for admission.  Many colleges waive this fee if students visit the college prior to applying or show financial need.  Some colleges have permanently waived application fees.

Application Form.  The document at students are required to fill out when requesting admission to a college.  Essays are often part of the application form.

Associate’s Degree.  A degree granted upon completion of a two-year program of study.  Junior colleges offer Associate’s Degree.

Bachelor’s Degree.  A four-year degree.  There are two forms:  Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

Business Office.  This is where tuition and room and board is paid.

Class Rank.  The position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated according to grade point average.  If a student is tenth from the top of his class of 200, he or she will rank 10/200.

Credit Hour.  Credit hours are how classes are measured.  Three credit classes meet for three hours a week for one semester.  Two credit classes meet for two hours a week for one semester.  Students typically take 15 credit hours per semester.

Double Major.  Some students choose to select two areas of study prior to graduation.  It will usually take them longer to graduate because more credit hours are required.

EFC (Expected Family Contribution).  The amount of money a family can expect to pay for college per year.  The EFC is a result of filing a FAFSA.

Early Action.  This is applying early to a college hoping to be in a better position for admission, scholarships and grants.

Early Decision.  This is applying early to a college when there is only one college selected.  Paperwork is signed early in January or February and the student will never know the offers from other schools.  The student must pull all applications from other colleges.

Essay.  Essays are required for admission to private colleges at the time of application.  Essays are also required for scholarship competition at a college and often other scholarships.   They are typically 500 words long and are intended for the college to get to know the students better.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The federal form used to determine eligibility for federal aid, including Pell Grants and student loans.  It establishes a single estimate of a student’s or family’s ability to pay and the FAFSA form is generally available from high school guidance offices or online.  There is no charge for filing the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Office.  The office at a college that determines the financial aid a student receives.  This office works closely with the Admissions Office.

4-1-4 Program.  Some colleges have a month in January set aside for concentrated studies.  This is often called the “J” Term.  Students take one class during this month.  In February they return to the semester format.

GPA (Grade Point Average).  The translation of a student’s letter grades into a numeric system reflecting academic performance.  Usually, an A is 4.0, a B is 3.0, a C is a 2.0.

Grants.  Grants are funds given by a college that do not need to be repaid.  They may be small or very large.  Grants may come from the federal government, the state or the college.

Honors Program.  Students that have very high academically, may be accepted to

Independent Study.

Internships.

Major.

Open Admissions.  An admissions policy granting acceptance to all secondary school graduates without regard to additional qualifications.

Pell Grant.  A gift-aid program sponsored by the frderal government, available to undergraduates who are pursuing their first bachelor’s degree.

Perkins Loan.  A program of federally funded, college-administered loans available to students from low-income families.

PSAT/NMSQT  (preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.  A standardized test usually taken by sophomores or juniors.  The test is a trial run for the SAT.  If students score high on the PSAT they may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

Registrar’s Office.  The office at a college where transcripts are held.

Rolling Admissions.  A policy in which colleges without a specific date for notification of admission inform the applicant as soon as the admissions decision is made.

SAR (Student Aid Report).  The report generated by a completed FAFSA that shows data placed on the FAFSA.

SAT I (Scholastic Assessment Test).  The College Entrance Examination Board’s standardized test battery for secondary school students, used by colleges and universities for admissions and placement purposes.  Popular on the east and west coasts.

SAT II:  subject Tests.  Subject exams used in measuring academic achievement and for student placement purposes.

SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant).  Federally funded gift aid for sutdents with extreme financial need.

Scholarship Weekend.

Scholarships.

Stafford Loan.  A student loan administered and guaranteed by a nonprofit, private institution.

Study Abroad.

3-2 Program.  A cooperative academic program involving three years attendance at one institutuion and two years at another, upon completion of which two degrees are generally granted.

Transcript.

Trimester System.  A calendar in which the academic year is broken down into three units.  Sometimes called a “quarter.”

Wait-List.

Work Study.  A federally subsidized part-time employment program.  Students work on or off campus throughout the academic year.