College Lingo (Terminology)
This document is handed out on the first day of a college class and outlines all assignments, grading policies, and deadlines.
What is a syllabus?
The free online form that seniors must fill out to qualify for federal grants, work-study funds, and student loans.
What is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Student Aid)?
The acronym "RA" stands for this older student who lives on your floor and helps manage dorm life.
What is a Resident Assistant?
The term for the primary subject or specific field of study a student chooses to focus on for their degree.
What is a major?
This official record of your high school classes, grades, and cumulative GPA must be sent from your high school to colleges when you apply.
What is a transcript?
A course or exam that a student must complete before taking a more advanced course.
What is a prerequisite?
A type of financial aid awarded based on financial need or academic merit that does not have to be paid back.
What is a grant (or scholarship)?
A pre-paid plan that allows students to buy meals at campus dining halls and food courts.
What is a meal plan?
A secondary academic focus that requires fewer classes than a major, allowing students to explore an extra interest.
What is a minor?
An essay written by the student that showcases their personality, background, or personal growth to the admissions committee.
What is a personal statement (or college essay)?
This is the title of a professor’s scheduled hours outside of class when students can drop in to ask questions or get help.
What are office hours?
This financial aid program allows students to work part-time jobs on or near campus to earn money for college expenses.
What is Work-Study?
The campus office responsible for student safety, lost-and-found, emergency alerts, and campus parking passes.
What is Campus Police (or Campus Security)?
The standard number of total credit hours a student typically needs to complete each semester to graduate in four years.
What is 15 credits (or 12–15 credits)?
These are written by high school teachers or counselors to vouch for your academic character, work ethic, and potential.
What are letters of recommendation?
The title given to a college student who has completed their bachelor's degree and is studying for a master's or doctorate.
What is a graduate student?
The specific letter sent to an accepted student detailing the exact breakdown of grants, loans, and scholarships they are being offered.
What is a Financial Aid Award Letter?
An acronym for a standardized evaluation score system used by colleges to measure your academic performance each semester.
What is a GPA (Grade Point Average)?
This advisor is assigned to help you select your classes, track graduation requirements, and navigate academic choices.
What is an academic advisor?
An early application deadline (usually in November) that gives students an admissions decision early but does not legally bind them to attend if accepted.
What is Early Action? (Note: "Early Decision" is the binding version).
A type of hold placed on a student's account for unpaid fees or missing paperwork that prevents them from registering for classes.
What is a registration hold (or bursar hold)?
Money borrowed from the government or a bank that accumulates interest and must be paid back after graduation.
What is a student loan?
The traditional campus building containing sleeping rooms for residents, often featuring shared bathrooms and common areas.
What is a dormitory (or dorm or residence hall)?
A course that is not required for your major but counts toward your total graduation credits, allowing you to try new subjects.
What is an elective?
A single online platform that allows students to apply to over 1,000 different colleges using one master application and essay.
What is the Common App?