College Lingo
This is a new college student in their first year.
What is a freshman?
Colleges and universities charge you this to take classes at their institution.
What is tuition?
This college degree takes about two years of classes to complete.
What is an associate (or associate's) degree?
What are office hours?
Only about 10 percent of college students use this service to help them succeed, even though it's usually free.
What is tutoring (or the Achievement Center, Math Center, or Writing Center)?
Students sleep in this building (not in the classroom!).
What is a dormitory?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for short.
What is the FAFSA?
A college or university that is financially supported by state funding.
What is a public college or university?
An event where you can meet with employers and explore career options.
What is a career fair (or job fair)?
30% of these type of incoming freshmen are from families where neither parent previously attended college.
What is a first-generation student?
Someone who lives at home and drives their car or takes public transportation to campus.
What is a commuter student?
Named after a U.S. Senator from Rhode Island, this form of federal financial aid doesn't have to be paid back.
What is a Pell Grant?
A convenient way to complete college courses without having to live near the campus.
What is an online class (or a course at a satellite campus)?
The standardized college admissions test generally used in the state of Michigan.
What is the SAT?
About one-third of Americans have one.
What is a college degree?
A document given to students by the professor that explains the goals of the class and often lists reading assignments by week.
What is a syllabus?
This type of college can save you a significant amount of money in tuition, room and board, and other college costs.
What is a community college?
It's a college course that helps you succeed in your first year.
What is a college success course (or freshman seminar or college survival course)?
A class you can take in high school that can provide college-level credit if the student gets a successful exam score.
What is an Advanced Placement (or International Baccalaureate) class?
Only 2 percent of high school athletes receive one of these when they go to college.
What is an athletic scholarship?
This college professional helps you plan your classes and connects you with helpful resources on campus.
What is an academic advisor?
One in four Americans have this, averaging over $37,000 each.
What is student loan debt?
Someone who starts their college career at one school and finishes at another.
What is a transfer student?
A document written by someone who can evaluate the student's abilities and achievements.
What is a letter of recommendation?
Around ten percent of college students join one of these academic or social organizations.
What is a fraternity or sorority?