College Application Terms
An institution of post-secondary education that is primarily funded and operated by the government, typically at the state level.
Public College
An institution that focuses on teaching students and giving them personal attention.
Liberal Arts College
The percentage of students who graduate within 6 years at a 4-year school.
Graduation rate
Financial aid that doesn’t need to be paid back. Given out as wages in exchange for working for the college.
Work Study
A college admissions test with four sections - English, math, reading, and science, with an optional writing section. Scores range from 1 to 36.
ACT
Besides the essay, some colleges ask that you complete these.
Supplemental questions
A university that relies on private donations and tuition for funding. This type of school does not receive state funds.
Private College/University
A short-term, supervised work experience, usually related to a student’s major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on or off the campus, paid or unpaid.
Internship
Form filled out by student and parents or guardians in order to receive grants, loans, and/or work study based on your parent’s/guardian’s tax information. Government processes the form and sends report to student’s choice of schools.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
This is when should you take the SAT for the first time.
December of Junior year
The formal approval and acknowledgment by a college or university that a student has been granted admission to their academic programs.
Acceptance Letter
The college or university official who is responsible for registering students and keeping their official academic records, such as transcripts.
Registrar
Students must be enrolled in 12 or more credit hours per semester to be considered this by the institution and the federal government.
Full-time
This is the form your parents must fill out for aid at most private schools.
CSS profile
This person is responsible for sending your official test scores to the colleges you are applying to.
The student
The online application you use to apply for admission to many schools throughout the U.S.
Common App.
Organization/web site that connects students to colleges, as well as register for the SAT.
College Board
This is the best way to request a recommendation letter from a teacher.
Ask teachers in person and follow-up with an email.
This type of award is given without regard to financial need and is solely based on a student's academic achievement.
Merit aid or scholarships
True or False: You should take the SAT or ACT at least three times.
False
The option to apply early to a school and find out their decision earlier. This is non-binding, meaning that you don’t have to go to that school if you get in.
Early Action
If your academic criteria exceeds the admissions requirements, this is considered your what school in your college list.
Safety
Any program in which a student completes the requirements of two majors at a time.
Double Major
The amount of money that the federal government determines the family can pay (after filling out the FAFSA).
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
This is the term that describes colleges and universities that do not require you to report your SAT or ACT scores.
Test optional