College Prep Glossary

College Prep Glossary（ZT CB)
College Admissions from A to Z
What in the world is a FAFSA? What's the difference between EA andED? If you're asking yourself these questions, your child is probablyin the middle of the college admissions process. From AP® toROTC, it probably seems to you that the college admissions folks have alanguage all their own. So, if you're wondering whether the NMSQT is atest or a furry animal, this glossary is for you.
AccreditationOfficial recognition that a college, university, or trade school has met the standards of a regional or national association.
Advanced Placement Program® (AP®)Gives motivated high school students the opportunity to takecollege-level courses in a high school setting. Thousands of collegesworldwide award credit or advanced placement to students with aqualifying grade on AP Exams. AP Exams are graded 1 to 5, with 5 as thehighest.
Read about AP.
American College Test (ACT)The ACT is a college entrance exam administered by the AmericanCollege Testing Corporation that measures educational development inEnglish, mathematics, social studies, and the natural sciences. Scoresare reported as 1 to 36, with 36 as the highest. Most colleges acceptscores from either the ACT or SAT®.
ArticulationAn agreement between a two-year and four-year college within thesame state that allows a two-year college student automatic admissionto a four-year college if she completes required courses.
Arts and SciencesA college course of study that includes the humanities, socialsciences, natural sciences, mathematics, foreign languages, and finearts.
Associate's DegreeAwarded by a college or university after satisfactory completion of a two-year program of study.
Award LetterA document issued to a student financial aid recipient thatindicates the type, amount, and disbursement dates of the funds awardedfor various financial aid programs.
Bachelor's DegreeAwarded by a four-year college or university after satisfactory completion of a program of study.
Campus-Based AidFinancial assistance for students and their families administered bya college. Funds, regardless of their source, are awarded to studentsby the college's financial aid office, and not by a state, federal, orprivate agency.
Candidates Reply Date Agreement (CRDA)Allows a student to defer attendance decisions at participatingcolleges until May 1. This agreement gives students time to getresponses from most of the colleges they have applied to before makinga decision on one.
College BoardA national nonprofit membership association whose mission is toprepare, inspire, and connect students to college and opportunity. TheCollege Board administers the PSAT/NMSQT®, SAT Reasoning Test™, SAT Subject Tests™, Advanced Placement Program® (AP®), CLEP®, College Scholarship Service® (CSS®), and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®.
College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP®)A credit-by-examination program that helps students of all ages earncollege degrees faster by getting credit for what they already know. Byreceiving a satisfactory score, a student can earn from 3 to 12 collegecredits toward a college degree for each CLEP she takes, depending onthe exam subject.
Read about CLEP.
College Scholarship Service® (CSS®)A service of the College Board that assists postsecondaryinstitutions, state scholarship programs, and other organizations inthe equitable distribution of student financial aid funds by measuringa family's financial strength and analyzing its ability to contributeto college costs.
Common ApplicationA standard application form accepted by more than 300 selectivecolleges in lieu of their own form. Available in high school guidanceoffices and online.
Go to www.commonapp.org.
ConsortiumA group of colleges or universities that offer joint programs thatallow students to share facilities and course offerings at membercampuses. Consortiums are generally made up of neighboring schools.
Cooperative Work-Study EducationA full-time paid employment related to a student's field of study.The student alternates between work and full-time study. As a result,the bachelor's program usually takes five years to complete.
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®A financial aid form produced by the College Board required forstudents seeking aid at approximately 10 percent of the nation'sfour-year colleges (including the most highly selective institutions).
Go to PROFILE Online.
DeferralWhen a student's application for early decision or early action ispostponed, and will be considered with the regular applicant pool.
Deferred AdmissionAllows an accepted student to postpone admission for one year.
Demonstrated NeedThe difference between the family contribution as established on theExpected Family Contribution (EFC) and the total cost of attendingcollege.
Early Action (EA)A program that gives special consideration to a student who appliesfor admission by a specified date, usually in early fall. Students arenot obligated to enroll if admitted (also known as early notification).
Read about early action.
Early Decision (ED)A program that gives special consideration to a student who appliesfor admission by a specified date, usually in early fall. Students areobligated to enroll if admitted, and to withdraw applications fromother institutions.
Read about early decision.
Educational Testing Service (ETS)A nonprofit organization that develops college entrance tests, including the SAT and SAT Subject Tests, for the College Board.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)The amount a family can reasonably be expected to pay for one year of college.
Read about your EFC.
529 Savings PlansA state-operated investment plan that gives families a federaltax-free way to save money for college. Officially known as qualifiedtuition programs (QTPs).
Read about 529 savings plans.
4-1-4 SystemAn academic calendar consisting of two semesters made up of four months each, with a short winter term of one month in between.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)The need analysis form produced by the U.S. Department of Educationthat is required for students seeking aid by nearly all colleges anduniversities.
Read about the FAFSA.
Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Grade Point Average (GPA)Indicates a student's overall scholastic performance. It is computed by assigning a point value to each grade.
Greek SystemFraternities and sororities on campus, whose names originate from letters in the Greek alphabet.
HumanitiesCourses focusing on human culture, including philosophy, foreign language, religion, and literature.
Independent StudyAllows a student to earn credit through self-designed coursework, which is usually planned and evaluated by a faculty member.
LegacyAn applicant whose parents or grandparents are graduates of the college or university to which she is applying.
Liberal ArtsA course of study that includes humanities, social science, natural sciences, mathematics, foreign languages, and fine arts.
MajorArea of concentration in a particular field of study. Usuallystudents specialize in their majors during their junior and senioryears at college.
National Merit Scholarship ProgramA scholarship program based mostly on scores from the PSAT/NMSQT.Each year, National Merit students receive scholarships ranging fromseveral hundred dollars to full costs of attendance.
Read about the PSAT/NMSQT.
Need-Blind AdmissionsA policy in which colleges make admissions decisions without takinginto account an applicant's financial circumstances. Schools thatsubscribe to this policy do not necessarily offer aid to meet the fullneed of an accepted applicant.
Open AdmissionsSchools that take any high school graduate until all the openingsare filled. Almost all two-year colleges have an open admissions policy.
Preferential PackagingA policy in which the most desirable applicants get the best financial aid packages.
PROFILEA financial aid form produced by the College Board required forstudents seeking aid at approximately 10 percent of the nation'sfour-year colleges (including the most highly selective institutions).
Go to PROFILE Online.
PSAT/NMSQT®The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit ScholarshipQualifying Test is a standardized test that provides firsthand practicefor the SAT and SAT Subject Tests. It also gives students a chance toqualify for National Merit Scholarship Corporation's (NMSC) scholarshipprograms.
Read about the PSAT/NMSQT.
Quarter SystemDivides the nine-month academic calendar into three equal parts ofapproximately 12 weeks each. Summer sessions, if any, are usually thesame length.
RegistrarCollege official who registers students and collects fees. Theregistrar may also be responsible for keeping permanent records,maintaining student files, and forwarding copies of students'transcripts to employers and schools.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)Combines military education with college study leading to thebachelor's degree. For students who commit themselves to future servicein the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard, there is usuallyan offer of financial aid. Not all schools offer ROTC.
Residency RequirementsLength of time stipulated by colleges or universities that studentsmust spend on campus taking courses. The term also refers to timefamilies or students must reside in a state before being consideredeligible for state aid.
Rolling AdmissionsAdmissions procedure by which the college considers each student'sapplication as soon as all the required credentials have been received(e.g., school record, test scores). The college usually notifiesapplicants of its decision without delay.
SAT® (SAT Reasoning Test™)A 3 hour and 45 minute exam that measures the critical thinking skills needed for academic success in college.  It measures skills in three areas: critical reading, mathematics, and writing.
Read about the SAT.
SAT Subject Tests™One hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure achievement in specific subject areas.
Read about SAT Subject Tests.
Semester SystemDivides the academic year into two equal segments of approximately18 weeks each. Summer sessions are shorter, but require more intensivestudy.
Student Aid Report (SAR)The form sent to families in response to submission of the FreeApplication for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) indicating the ExpectedFamily Contribution (EFC).
Student Search Service® (SSS®)A free information service for students who take the PSAT/NMSQT,SAT, or AP Exams. By participating in Student Search Service, studentslet colleges, universities, and scholarship programs know they areinterested in hearing from them.
Read about Student Search Service.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)An exam required by almost all U.S. colleges and universities forstudents whose principal language is not English. The test is made upof three multiple choice sections: listening comprehension, structureand written expression, and reading comprehension.
3-2 ProgramA program offering students three years of study in a liberal artsfield followed by two years of professional or specialized study (e.g.,engineering, teaching, nursing, business administration). The studentis awarded two degrees upon successful completion of the program.
TranscriptOfficial record of a student's coursework at a school or college. Ahigh school transcript is generally required as part of the collegeapplication process.
TrimestersAn academic calendar that is divided into three equal terms or semesters.
Tuition Tax CreditsAllow you to subtract, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount of the credit from your total federal income tax bill.
Read about Tuition Tax Credits.
UndergraduateA college student earning a bachelor's degree.
WaitlistA list of applicants who may be considered for acceptance if thereis still space after admitted students have decided whether or notthey'll attend.
Work-StudyA federally funded program in which students take campus jobs aspart of their financial aid package. To participate in a work-studyprogram, students must complete the FAFSA.
YieldPercentage of accepted applicants who enroll at a college.

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