College Basics
Two types of post-secondary institutions.
What are colleges and universities?
The term for how well a college meets a student's interests and needs.
What is "college fit"?
The total cost of going to college, including tuition, room and board, books, transportation, fees, and personal expenses?
What is the Cost of Attendance (COA)?
The two main college entrance exams.
What are the SAT and ACT?
What is first-generation student?
The designations for colleges based on whether they are funded by private sources or the government?
What are private and public institutions?
Name of the college fit category that may include campus resources such as Financial Aid, Emergency Funds, Campus Jobs, Lending Library, and Low-Income Resources.
What is "Financial Aid"?
Types of financial aid that are considered "free money" and do not have to be paid back.
What are grants and scholarships?
College application option that requires a student to commit to attending the college if they are accepted.
What is an Early Decision program?
The range of the number of colleges the Young Scholars program advises students to apply to.
What is 8-12 colleges?
The name of a college student's concentrated and secondary fields of study?
What are their major and minor?
Name of the college fit category that may include campus resources such as Academic Advising, Tutoring, Mentoring, Faculty Office Hours, and the Writing Center.
What is "Academics"?
Cost of Attendance - grants & scholarships =
What is the Net Price (total amount that it will cost the student to attend college for one year)?
College application option with an early deadline and early notification with no obligation to enroll if accepted.
What is an Early Action program?
A short, often overnight, visit to a college or university that is fully funded by the institution.
What is a fly-in program?
The designation for a student who hasn't yet chosen their academic major.
What is undeclared?
Name of college fit category that may include campus resources such as Student Life, Greek Life, Multicultural Affairs, Affinity Spaces, and Athletics?
What is "Student/Social Life"?
A special tool designed to help you understand your eligibility for financial aid and funding to attend a specific college.
What is the Net Price Calculator?
College application option in which a college reviews most of its applications before notifying candidates.
What is Regular Decision?
Visiting a college campus or contacting an admission officer are examples of this.
What is demonstrated interest?
A degree-granting institution where the academic focus is on developing the intellect and instruction in the humanities and sciences, rather than training for a specific vocation.
What is a liberal arts college?
Name of the college fit category that may include campuses resources such as the DEI Office, Affinity Groups, Diverse Faculty/Staff, and LGBTQ+ Office.
What is "Diversity"?
This type of loan accrues interest (fees) while you are enrolled in college?
What is an unsubsidized loan?
The three categories of selectivity and their respective acceptance rates for applying to college.
What are reach (<25% acceptance), target (26%-50-60% acceptance), and likely/safety (>50-60% acceptance)?
The two main financial aid applications for college.
What are FAFSA and CSS Profile?