Glossary of Terms

Advanced Placement—AP Exams are administered by the College Board and are designed for test taking upon the completion of the AP course. Students may be eligible to obtain credit at their college based on their score.

Application Fee—a non-refundable fee charged by colleges and universities when making application.

Associate Degree—a degree granted by a college that requires 2 years of study, typically a community college.

Audit—attend a class, no credit granted.

Baccalaureate Degree—Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree granted by a college or university for a program that typically requires four to five years of full time study.

Candidate’s Reply Date—May 1st is the date by which you must notify all colleges you have been admitted to what your final decision is, are you coming or going elsewhere. Extensions past the May 1 deadline are allowed at most schools, if requested and you take the proper steps.

Common Application—a standard application used by more than 300 colleges and universities nationwide. Go to www.commonapp.org for a list of participating colleges and the application.

Core Curriculum—a group of courses in the arts and sciences that are designated by the college as requirements for a degree.

Course load—the number of hours taken in a semester or quarter. An average semester load is 12-18 credit hours.

CSS Profile—the College Scholarship Services produces this supplemental form that is required by some institutions to apply for financial aid.

Dual Enrollment—courses taken at the high school for college credit through a local college or university.

Early Action—applying early for admission and learning of the decision earlier in the process – this is non-binding.

Early Decision—applying for admission early in the senior year, learning of the admission decision in the winter. If accepted, early decision is binding – if admitted it is required hat you withdraw all other applications.

FAFSA—The Free Application for Federal Student Aid form that is completed by parents in January or February of the senior year, and each year while in college.

Grants—awards based on financial need which do not require repayment.

Honors Program—designed to engage students on a more challenging level. There are typically requirements for entrance and for completion.

Liberal Arts—refers to study in the humanities, natural sciences and social sciences.

Loans—based on financial need and require repayment.

Matriculation—the process of a student being accepted, paying and enrolling in classes and becoming an official college student.

Needs Analysis—the process used to evaluate a family’s financial situation and to determine how much financial assistance they are eligible for.

Profile—a brochure sent by the high school with each application. It includes courses offered, testing history, college acceptances, grading scale, accreditation, enrollment, memberships, etc.

Private College/University—a college or university supported by private funding and not public taxes. Many private schools are independent or religiously affilitiated.

Public College/University—a college or university supported by public taxes.

Rolling admission—applicants with complete files are reviewed and notified of the admission decision on a continuous basis, usually a 2-6 week response time.

Rush—a time set aside by the college or university for fraternities and sororities to issue invitations to prospective members.

SAT II Subject Tests—one hour tests in specific areas of study. These tests are typically required or preferred at highly selective institutions.

Transcript—an official record of student performance.

Tuition—the cost of attendance designated by semester, year or credit hour.

Wait lists—used by highly selective schools in order to see how their future freshmen class looks in terms of numbers. Most colleges will notify if “wait-listed” in April.

Work Study—a government supported program which provides part-time employment on campus, typically 6-20 hours per week. Need based qualifications.