ACCREDITATION – A college meets certain minimum standards in programs, services, and facilities as determined by an accrediting organization.
ACT – American College Testing/ This is a college admissions test which many colleges accept in addition to/or as an alternative to the better known SAT. This test measures English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and Social Studies.
AP [ADVANCED PLACEMENT] –College credit may be given to a student for an advanced course taken in high school. Information as to which AP courses particular colleges accept is available on the College Board website.
ASSOCIATE DEGREE – A degree conferred after the completion of a two year college program. This degree is typically awarded by a junior college.
BACCALAUREATE DEGREE, ALSO KNOWN AS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE – A degree conferred upon the completion of what is usually a four year program of college courses.
CANDIDATES’ REPLY DATE – Colleges permit students to wait until May1st to send their acceptance letter/form and monetary deposit to the college of their choice.
COLLEGE CODE – These are the codes listed on both the College Board and the ACT websites. Students use these codes to send their scores to their particular college choices.
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD [CEEB] –
Each High School has its own code number for the SAT and ACT. Check the guidance office.
CSS PROFILE – College Scholarship Service is provided by College Board. A financial aid Profile is used to determine financial need. Some colleges may require this form in addition to the FAFSA to determine financial need. It is imperative to contact the individual college financial aid office to determine if the Profile is needed.
DEFERRED ADMISSION – Colleges may grant an accepted student the option to postpone entrance for up to a year.
EARLY ACTION – Students apply early, by a specified date. They will receive a decision earlier than the regular responses in the spring. If granted admission under the terms of early action, students are not bound to accept this decision. Students are not bound to accept this decision.
EARLY DECISION – Students apply early, by a specified date; however, acceptance in this case becomes a binding contract. This option is only for a student who decides that this school is the right choice for him or her regardless of personal or financial circumstances. The deposit is usually due before May 1st.
EDUCATIONAL TESTING SERVICE [ETS] – A non-profit organization that oversees the many testing and financial aid programs of the CEEB.
FAFSA [FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID] – The application for federal student financial aid. It is processed free for students. Colleges use this form to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, college work funds, and non-federal, need based university grants. Application is available online.
FEDERAL DIRECT LOANS
FEDERAL PELL GRANT
FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN
FEDERAL PLUS LOAN
FEDERAL STAFFORD LOAN
FEDERAL WORK STUDY
LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCIAL AID >
FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES – The combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and/or work study that is determined by the college’s financial aid office based on both need and merit.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE [GPA] – This is the student’s overall academic average reflecting his/her high school performance, usually computed at the end of junior year. This may be weighted or unweighted depending on the courses.
GRANTS – Grants are available through the federal government, state agencies, educational agencies, and private organizations. These awards do not need to be repaid.
OPEN ADMISSION – Some college admissions will accept all high school graduates regardless of high school grades and/or college admissions test scores.
PIN NUMBER from FAFSA – The number assigned to student after submitting the initial part of FAFSA application. This pin number is required to proceed with your application. The same PIN number can be used throughout one’s college career.
PSAT [PRELIMINARY SCHOLASTIC APTITUDE TEST] – This test sponsored by the CEEB is available to sophomores and juniors depending on the custom of the particular high school. The test scores determine eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Program, the National Achievement Scholarship Program for Outstanding Negro Students, and the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
ROLLING ADMISSIONS – Colleges will review each application as it is received. The applicants are notified as soon as possible. It pays to apply early if one is interested in a college that has a rolling admission policy.
SAR [STUDENT AID REPORT] – This report is returned from FAFSA to indicate financial eligibility and Expected Family Contribution [EFC].
SAT I [CRITICAL READING, MATH, WRITING] CEEB – A college entrance test given numerous times throughout the school year. The test is given by the College Entrance Examination Board at designated Test Centers.
SAT II CEEB – These are individual, one hour subject tests that measure knowledge about a particular subject. Up to three tests can be taken on any one test date, These tests are given by the College Entrance Examination Board at designated Test Centers.
SCHOOL CODE – A six digit code used by the SAT and ACT to send a score report to a student’s high school.
TEST CENTER – This is a location that hosts the SAT and the ACT tests.
This can be the local district high school. Students can take the exams at any center that is convenient for them. It is imperative to inquire as to what type of identity papers are required for entrance.
TOEFL – This is a test to evaluate the proficiency of the English language of a non-native English speaker
TRANSCRIPT – This official record, of all courses taken, grades, and absences is required by all colleges as part of the college application process.
WAIT LIST – Colleges use this term to indicate that a student may be given the opportunity to be accepted at a later date, if a sufficient number of accepted students reject the invitation to attend. These students usually hear from a college well after the May 1st reply date deadline. |
