Post-Secondary Paths
This is a 2-year post-secondary degree often earned at a community or technical college.
What is an Associate Degree?
The document that lists all your high school classes, attendance, and grades earned.
What is a Transcript?
A document summarizing your contact info, work experience, and education.
What is a résumé?
The crucial financial aid application that college students and families must fill out every year.
What is FAFSA?
A formal document/email of introduction that accompanies a résumé.
What is a Cover Letter?
These institutions offer hands-on training and trade skills for careers in mechanics, cosmetology, or culinary arts.
What is a Trade School or Technical College?
The standard numerical average calculated from all your high school courses.
What is a Grade Point Average (GPA)?
Important personal traits employers look for, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
What are Soft Skills?
Financial aid awarded to students based on academic or athletic achievements that does not have to be paid back.
What is a Scholarship?
The document given upon successfully completing graduation requirements.
What is a Diploma?
A standard 4-year undergraduate degree.
What is a Bachelor's Degree?
High school classes that carry higher weight and can earn you college credit early.
What are Advanced (or rigorous) classes?
An occupational training program where a student gains practical, real-world experience under supervision.
What is an Internship?
Money provided by a bank or government that must be paid back over time with interest.
What is a Student Loan?
Money regularly deducted from your paycheck to fund government services.
What are Taxes?
A higher education institution recognized by having a specific focus on STEM fields, humanities, and undergraduate/graduate programs.
What is a University?
Standardized tests used by many institutions to help decide admissions.
What are the SAT and ACT?
The acronym for achieving goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
What are SMART Goals?
Fees paid to a college when your permanent residency is in a different state.
What is Out-of-State Tuition?
Teachers, coaches, or former supervisors that employers contact to learn more about your work ethic.
What are Professional References?
The acronym for post-high school education.
What is PSE (Post-Secondary Education)?
Unpaid activities outside the regular classroom—like sports, clubs, and volunteer work—that strengthen college applications.
What are Extracurricular Activities?
A professional social platform where students can build a profile and connect with employers.
What is LinkedIn?
A program that provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need so they can earn money for educational expenses.
What is Federal Work-Study?
A structured conversation where employers ask behavioral questions (e.g., "Tell me about a time when...").
What is an Interview?