College
A school offering degrees after high school, usually 2–4 years.
University
A larger institution offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Community College
Two-year schools offering associate degrees and transfer pathways.
Credits
Units that measure academic work. Most classes are 3–4 credits.
Major
Your main field of study, like Computer Science or Business.
Minor
A smaller secondary field of study.
Prerequisite
A class you must take before you can enroll in another course.
Elective
A class you choose freely outside core requirements.
G P A
Grade Point Average — typically on a 4.0 scale, measuring academic performance.
Office Hours
Scheduled times when professors help students or answer questions.
Academic Advisor
A staff member who helps you plan your schedule and graduate on time.
Syllabus
A course outline that explains assignments, exams, and grading.
Credit Hour
Represents one hour of class per week. Usually 15 hours = 1 credit.
A C T
A standardized test sometimes used for admissions.
S A T
A standardized test often required for admissions.
Acceptance Rate
Percentage of applicants a college accepts — lower means more competitive.
Early Decision
A binding early application. If accepted, you must attend.
Early Action
Early application without the binding commitment.
F A F S A
Free Application for Federal Student Aid — required for grants and loans.
Transcript
Your official academic record from high school or previous colleges.
Recommendation Letter
A letter from a teacher or mentor supporting your application.
Personal Statement
An essay describing who you are and why you want to attend.
A P Classes
Advanced high school classes that may count for college credit.
Dual Enrollment
High school students take college classes for credit.
Tuition
The cost of instruction at a college or university.
Fees
Additional charges for labs, technology, or campus services.
Room And Board
Costs for housing and meals on or near campus.
Grants
Financial aid you do NOT have to repay.
Scholarships
Money awarded for academic, athletic, or other achievements — free money.
Student Loans
Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.
Work Study
Part-time campus jobs for students with financial need.
In State Tuition
Lower tuition for students living in the same state as the college.
Out Of State Tuition
Higher tuition for students from outside the state.
Loan Interest
Extra money paid back when repaying student loans.
Subsidized Loan
Loan where the government pays the interest while you’re in school.
Unsubsidized Loan
Loan where interest builds up while you study.
Dorm
On-campus student housing, often shared rooms.
R A
Resident Assistant — student leaders supervising dorm floors.
Meal Plan
Prepaid cafeteria system for meals on campus.
Commuter
A student who lives off campus and travels to class.
On Campus Housing
Living in dorms or university apartments.
Off Campus Housing
Renting apartments or houses independently.
Library Resources
Access to research databases, books, and study spaces.
Registrar
Office that handles class registration and academic records.
Financial Aid Office
Staff who help manage grants, loans, and scholarships.
Bursar
Office that handles billing and tuition payments.
Internship
Hands-on work experience related to your major.
Full Time Student
Usually 12–18 credits per semester.
Part Time Student
Taking fewer than 12 credits, often working or balancing other duties.