avid college terminology

Tuition

Cost paid per credit hour; does not include books, fees, or housing.

Tutor

A student or person who helps teach a subject.

Undergraduate

A student pursuing a 2- or 4-year degree.

University

Institution with undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Withdrawal

Officially dropping a course during a semester.

⸻

💰 Financial Aid

COA (Cost of Attendance)

Total cost to attend college, including personal expenses.

Deferment

Delay of payment obligations.

Dependent Student

Financial aid status based on parent income.

EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

Amount family is expected to contribute to college costs.

FAFSA

Application used to determine financial aid eligibility.

Full-Time Enrollment

12+ credit hours per semester.

FWS (Federal Work Study)

Need-based campus job program.

Grant

Financial aid that does not need to be repaid.

Half-Time Enrollment

6–11 credit hours.

Independent Student

Financial aid status based on student’s own income.

Need-Based Aid

Aid determined by financial need.

SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)

Required academic performance to keep financial aid.

SAR (Student Aid Report)

Summary of FAFSA results.

Verification

Process of confirming FAFSA information.

⸻

📊 Academics

GPA (Grade Point Average)

Average of grades based on a 4-point scale.

Major / Minor

Main field of study / secondary field.

Midterm Exams

Tests given halfway through a semester.

Non-Credit Courses

Courses that don’t count toward a degree.

Pass/Fail Course

Graded as pass or fail, not letter grades.

Petition

Request for special academic consideration.

Prerequisite

Course required before taking another.

⸻

🏫 Institutions & Systems

Open-Door Institution

College with open admission (often community colleges).

Public vs Private Institution

Public = state-funded; Private = funded by tuition/donations.

Registrar

Office managing academic records.

Schedule of Classes

List of available courses each semester.

⸻

📄 Student Records & Documents

Student ID

Identification card for college students.

Syllabus

Course outline with rules, assignments, and dates.

Transcript

Official academic record.

Transfer of Credits

Moving earned credits to another college.

⸻

🎓 Degrees & Progress

Academic Probation

Warning for poor academic performance.

Academic Suspension

Temporary removal due to low GPA.

Advanced Standing Credit

Credit earned before college (AP, CLEP, etc.).

Associate Degree

2-year degree.

Associate of Applied Science

Career-focused 2-year degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

4-year undergraduate degree.

⸻

🏫 College Life

Audit

Taking a class without earning credit.

Bookstore

Store for required course materials.

Business Office

Handles payments and finances.

Catalog

Guide with all college policies and programs.

CLEP

Exam to earn college credit.

College

Institution offering degrees.

Commuter

Student living off campus.

Concurrent Enrollment

Taking classes at two schools at once.

⸻

📚 Courses & Credits

Course Number

Code indicating class level and credits.

Credit Hour

Unit measuring course time (≈1 hour/week).

Curriculum

Required courses for a program.

Degree Requirements

Courses and GPA needed to graduate.

Degrees

Academic awards (Associate, Bachelor’s, Graduate).

Drop/Add

Changing classes early in semester.

Enrollment

Registering for classes.

⸻

🎯 Student Experience

Extracurricular Activities

Non-class activities (clubs, sports).

Faculty

College instructors.

Fees

Extra costs beyond tuition.

Final Exams

End-of-semester tests.

Financial Aid

Money to help pay for college.

Part-Time vs Full-Time

Less than 12 credits vs 12+ credits.

Honor Roll

Recognition for high GPA.

Community College

2-year school with transfer or career programs