CCR B Terms

Alumni

People who have graduated from a college or university.

Admission

The process and decision by a college to allow a student to enroll after they submit an application.

Academic Advisor

A college staff member or faculty who helps students choose courses, plan their program, and meet graduation requirements.

Academic Probation

A status given to students whose grades are below required standards, warning them to improve performance.

Academic Suspension

When a student is temporarily barred from enrolling because they did not improve their academic performance.

Associate’s Degree

A two-year undergraduate degree usually awarded by community and junior colleges.

ACT and SAT

Standardized tests used by colleges to evaluate a student’s readiness for college; colleges may require one for admission.

Acceptance

A formal offer by a college saying a student has been admitted after completing the application process.

Application

The forms and materials a student submits to ask a college for admission.

Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year undergraduate degree awarded after completing required courses and credit hours.

Credit Hours

Units that measure how much academic work a course is worth, often tied to how many hours per week the class meets.

CLEP

College Level Examination Program; exams students can take to earn college credit without taking the actual class.

Commuter

A student who lives off campus and travels to school rather than living in campus housing.

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid; form that determines eligibility for U.S. federal financial aid.

Faculty

The teachers and professors at a college or university.

Fraternities and Sororities

Social organizations at colleges that often focus on community, networking, and activities (Greek life).

Extra-Curricular Activities

Activities outside of classes, like clubs, sports, or student government.

Degree Requirements

The courses, credit hours, GPA, and other criteria a student must complete to earn a degree.

Major

A student’s main area of academic focus or study.

Minor

A secondary field of study that requires fewer courses than a major.

Final Exams

Tests given at the end of a course or semester to evaluate learning.

Fees

Additional costs charged by a college separate from tuition (for materials, services, etc.).

Humanities Courses

Classes in subjects like literature, languages, history, and philosophy.

Honor Roll

A list of students recognized for high academic achievement (high grades).

Part-Time Student vs Full-Time Student

A full-time student takes a minimum number of credit hours (often 12+); a part-time student takes fewer.

Prerequisites

Courses that must be completed before taking another, more advanced course.

Non-Credit Courses

Classes that don’t count toward a degree’s credit requirements.

Pass/Fail Course

A grading option where students receive either a pass or fail instead of a letter grade.

Community College

A postsecondary institution offering associate degrees and certificates, often at lower cost.

University

A larger institution of higher education that grants bachelor’s, master’s, and often doctoral degrees.

Public College

A college funded mainly by the state government, usually with lower tuition for residents.

Withdrawal

When a student officially drops a course or leaves school during a term.

Syllabus

A document that outlines a course’s topics, policies, and assignments.

Tuition

The cost a student pays for instruction and courses.

Transcript

An official record of the courses a student has taken and the grades earned.

Undergraduate

A student or program leading to an associative or bachelor’s degree (before graduate school).

Transfer of Credits

When one college accepts course credits earned at another school.

Registrar

The office that keeps academic records, course schedules, and official enrollment information.

Private College

A college that is funded privately (not by the state) and may have higher tuition.

Business Office

The college department that handles student billing, tuition payments, and financial accounting.

Catalog

The official publication listing courses, degree requirements, policies, and descriptions.

Financial Aid

Money (grants, scholarships, loans) that helps students pay for college.

Vocational School

A school focused on career and technical training for specific jobs.

Book Store

A campus store where students can buy textbooks and supplies.

Enrollment

The process of registering for classes and officially becoming a student at a college.