Types of Colleges & Degrees
An academic credential given by an educational institution for successfully completing a series of courses
What is a Degree?
A college admission test usually taken during the junior or senior year that measures students’ skills and includes sections on math, reading, English and science. Younger students may also take the ACT Aspire test that covers similar material.
What is the ACT?
The total amount of college expenses before financial aid. This can include tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, personal expenses, and transportation.
What is an Award Letter?
The grounds and buildings of a college.
What is the Campus?
A college office that serves as a resource for students who need help paying for college costs.
What is the Financial Aid Office?
An academic credential that can usually be completed in 4 years at a college or university.
What is a Bachelor's Degree?
A form students must complete to apply for college admission, scholarships, or other financial aid.
What is an Application?
Stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the form that most students complete in order to access financial aid including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study. Opens in December.
What is FAFSA?
Set times to meet with professors and ask questions.
What are Office Hours?
Mental health support for college students located on campus.
A four-year educational institution that usually offers both undergraduate (Bachelor's) degrees as well as graduate (Master's, Doctoral, or Professional) degrees.
What is a University?
The qualifications necessary to be admitted to a college. These may include specific classes, grades or test scores. Also known as entrance requirements.
What are Admission Requirements?
Need-based financial aid that is money from the state government, federal government or the college that does not need to be paid back.
What are Grants?
A staff or faculty member at a college that can help you choose classes and a major and connect you to other academic support services.
What is an Advisor?
The department at a college that is responsible for reading college applications and making decisions about which students will attend. Representatives from the admissions office may also attend college fairs, visit high schools, give information sessions and tours and be a resource for students who are interested in applying or attending.
What is the Admissions Office?
A public institution that offers programs that last up to two years and are open to everyone with a high school diploma or GED. Students can earn a certificate, associate degree or take classes that will count towards a bachelor's degree.
What is a Community College?
The notice that a student has been accepted, waitlisted or denied admission to a particular college.
What is a Decision Letter?
Need-based financial aid that must be paid back.
Stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; protects the privacy of student’s identifiable information. Once students turn 18, only they have access to their educational records (not their parents).
What is FERPA?
The college official or office that helps students register for classes, transfer credits and maintain transcripts.
What is the Registrar?
Paid on-the-job training and classroom learning for a specific trade.
What is an Apprenticeship?
A rigorous class where students can earn high school and college credit.
What is Dual Credit?
Often abbreviated as SAI. This number is used to determine eligibility for different types of financial aid.
What is the Student Aid Index?
An outline of a college course schedule, assignments and expectations.
What is a Syllabus?
The people and offices on a college campus that are there to help students. Common support services include physical and mental health services, financial aid and academic tutoring.
What is Support Services?