ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSE A program that allows high school students to study college-level subjects in order to receive college credit.
AWARD LETTER
An explanation of the financial aid a college will give a student which may include grants scholarships student loans and work-study.
CANDIDATES REPLY DATE AGREEMENT
The May 1 deadline (at most colleges) by which the student must notify a college or university of his/her decision to accept or decline admittance.
COMMON APPLICATION
A general application accepted by 517 colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad (www.commonapp.org).
DEFERRED ADMISSION
The postponement by a college of making a decision on whether to accept or deny an applicant. Some colleges use this term to describe deferred enrollment described below.
DEFERRED ENROLLMENT
An accepted student’s decision to put off a college’s offer of admission in order to take a one-year absence (e.g. to travel work or take care of a family member). This will typically require either the approval of the college or compliance with a particular notice procedure. Sometimes called deferred admission.
DEMONSTRATED INTEREST
A student’s expression of desire to attend a specific college or university.
DUAL ENROLLMENT
A process allowing high school students to take college-level courses that can be transferred to a college or university for credit.
EARLY ACTION
A process that allows students to apply to a school earlier than normal (often before November) in order to receive an earlier decision (usually by mid-December). Students are allowed to apply to other schools as well but they typically need to let the accepting colleges know by late spring if they’ll be attending. With early action you don’t have to accept an offer of admission.
EARLY DECISION
A process that allows students to apply to ONE college or university with the promise to attend if accepted. Early decision is binding so students should be sure it’s the school they want to (and can afford to) attend before applying early decision.
EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC)
The amount a student’s family is expected to pay toward college costs.
FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA)
A form that all students must fill out to be considered for federal aid.
GRANT
A form of financial aid based typically on need—funded by the federal government or nonprofit institutions— that does not need to be repaid.
MERIT AID
Financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s achievements and/or talents (e.g. academic athletic).
NEED-BASED AID
Financial aid that is awarded based on a student’s ability to pay for college.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
An application essay in which a student gives more insight into his/her personality history and character.
RECOMMENDATION
A letter written by a teacher or someone else on your behalf explaining why you make a good candidate; most applications require three recommendation letters.
ROLLING ADMISSION
A process of reviewing and making a decision on applications as they are received rather than according to a specific deadline.
SAT SUBJECT TESTS
Tests in specific subjects such as math English or science. Some colleges require or recommend these tests as part of the admissions process.
SCHOLARSHIP
A form of financial aid—usually based on merit (e.g. academic athletic etc.)—that does not need to be repaid.
STUDENT LOAN
A type of financial aid given to students to help pay for tuition books and living expenses that must be repaid.
TRANSCRIPT
An official record provided by a school that shows your grades completed courses when you attended and if you graduated.
WAITLIST
A list of college applicants who haven’t been accepted or denied. If openings develop the college may offer admission to some of the students on the waitlist.
WORK-STUDY
A job (typically on campus) that allows a student to earn money to help pay for the costs associated with college.
