COLLEGE GLOSSARY TERMS

A

B

C

Catalog - College catalogs provide all types of information parents and students need to know about a school. It lists, for example, the institution's history and philosophy, policies and procedures, its accreditation status, courses of study, degrees and certificates offered, physical facilities, admission and enrollment procedures, financial aid, student life activities, etc.

Certificate program - an organized series of credit courses, consisting of 8-40 credit hours, which concentrates study in a particular field, though some certificates also include one or more general education courses.

Continuing Education - Continuing education is education intended for adult learners, especially those beyond traditional undergraduate college or university age. However, it is not normally considered to include basic instruction such as literacy or GED preparation. Instead, as the term suggests, it is assumed that the student already has an education and is simply continuing it. Included within continuing education are non-degree career training, workforce training, and formal personal enrichment courses (both on-campus and online). 

Cost of Attendance - A total amount of attending the college including tuition and fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous personal items, loan fees, study abroad costs, dependent care expenses, disability-related expenses and cooperative education program costs.

Co-requisite Courses - Courses that are taken during the same semester. Most co-requisites are recommended; however, some may be required.

Counselor - Counselors assist with career exploration, personal development, academic challenges and short-term personal counseling. 

Course Numbers - All courses are identified by numbers usually containing 3 digits, for example, freshman English might be 101. The first digit indicates the class year in which the subject is usually taken. A course number beginning with a "0" indicates that it does not carry credit hours applicable to a degree.

Credit Hour - A unit of measure that represents an hour of instruction that can be applied to the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate or other formal award. Courses taken in college are usually measured in terms of credit hours. To earn one credit hour, a student must attend a class for one classroom hour (usually 55 minutes) per week for the whole semester (usually 15 weeks). Classes are offered in 1 - 4 credit hour increments and sometimes larger amounts.

Curriculum - A curriculum is a program of courses approved for a particular degree or certificate. To earn a degree or certificate in a specific program, you must complete the curriculum for that program.

D

Dean's List - A category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. 

Degree Audit/Program Evaluation - Degree Audit compares a student's academic progress to the requirements of any desired academic program.

Degree Plan - A degree plan, curriculum or program plan, is a list of courses and requirements needed for a degree or certificate. Use it to plan your schedule and get approval for financial aid. You can get a copy in the course catalog or in an advising office.

Degree Requirements - Those requirements prescribed by institutions for completion of a program of study are generally termed degree requirements. Requirements may include a minimum number of hours, required GPA, prerequisite and elective courses within the specified major and/or minor areas of study.

Degrees - Degrees are rewards for the successful completion of a prescribed program of study. There are three basic types of degrees: associate - obtainable at a two-year community or junior college; baccalaureate or bachelor's - offered by four-year colleges and universities; and graduate - obtained after the bachelor's degree; i.e., master's or doctorate.

Department - A department is the basic organizational unit in a higher education institution, and is responsible for the academic functions in a field of study. It may also be used in the broader sense to indicate an administrative or service unit of an institution.

Developmental Courses - Developmental courses (also called Transitional courses) are pre-college level courses that help students improve skills and prepare for college-level courses. Based on your placement test scores, these courses may be required in order to be eligible to take college-level courses required for your program of study.

Diploma program - an organized series of credit courses, consisting of 41-52 credit hours, which may include a few general education courses but mainly concentrates courses in a particular field of study.

Division - A division could be several different things: an administrative unit of an institution, usually consisting of more than one department; a unit of an institution based on the year-level of students (i.e., lower and upper division); or a branch of the institution, instructional or not (i.e., the Division of Student Affairs).

Drop - When you drop a course, there is no record on your transcript and there is no charge for the course. You can drop a course without penalty before the end of the add/drop period. An official drop does not appear on a transcript, does not count as an attempt on a class, and grants a 100% refund of tuition. The Enrollment Fee is only refundable prior to the start of the class.

E

Early College/College in High School - Early College classes are college classes you can take while you're still in high school. This program allows high school students to lighten the load in college or even graduate early.

EFC (Expected Family Contribution) - A formula established by the U. S. Congress calculates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or what the family can contribute to education. Colleges and universities determine the student's financial aid eligibility based on the results of this formula. The formula takes into account the family's income, assets, number of family members, and number in the household attending college at least half-time. The EFC is based on income from the prior year of enrollment. 

Electives - Credit courses of choice which may be taken for credit toward a degree or certificate in any curriculum. They may be chosen from a wide variety of courses.

Enroll/Register - This is the procedure by which students choose classes each semester. It also includes the assessment and collection of fees.

Experiential Learning - Knowledge and skills gained from life experience for which credit may be awarded under certain circumstances.

Expulsion - Permanent separation of the college and student.

Extra-Curricular Activities - These are non-classroom activities that can contribute to a well-rounded education. They can include such activities as athletics, clubs, student government, recreational and social organizations, and events.

F

Faculty - The faculty is composed of all persons who teach classes for the college.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - The federal application that must be completed to receive all federal aid and South Carolina Lottery. The forms may be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Fees - Fees are additional charges not included in the tuition. Fees may be charged to cover the cost of materials and equipment needed in certain courses, and they may be assessed for student events, programs, and publications.

Final Exams (Finals) - These exams are usually given during the last week of classes each semester. The type of final administered in a course is left to the discretion of the instructor. Final exams are given on specified dates, which may be different than the regular class time, and are usually listed in each semester's class schedule.

Financial Aid - Financial Aid is made available from grants, scholarships, loans, tuition assistance and part-time employment from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Awards from these programs may be combined in an "award package" to meet the cost of education. Financial need, available funds, student classification, academic performance, and sometimes the timeliness of the application determine the types and amounts of aid awarded.

Financial Aid Refunds - Excess funds, the amount of your aid that is left after tuition, fees, books and supplies have been deducted, are refunded to students.

Financial Need: Cost of Attendance (COA) - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial need

Flagged Account - see Hold

Full-Time Enrollment/Part-Time Enrollment - A full-time student is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester (full-time status for a summer term is 12 credit hours). A part-time student is enrolled in less than 12 credit hours in a semester.

G

Grade Point Average (GPA) - A student's grade point average is the equivalent of his or her average for curriculum course work. Each letter grade has an equivalent point value: A = 4 points, B = 3 points, C = 2, D = 1 and F = 0. A student may determine the grade points for each course by multiplying the number of points a grade is worth times the number of credits the course carries. Thus, a "B" grade, worth three points, in a three-credit course is worth nine grade points; an "A" grade in the same three-credit course is worth 12 grade points. The grade point average is found by adding the total grade point values for all courses and dividing by the total number of credits attempted during the same period of time.

Grant - A monetary award given to a student to help pay college expenses. Grants are usually not repaid by the student.

H

Hold - A hold is placed on a student's academic record when an outstanding obligation, monetary or material, occurs. The Hold is released when the obligation has been satisfactorily met. Any person who has a Hold placed on their record will not be allowed to register, receive transcripts, or receive any other services from the college until the Hold is released.

Honors - Honors Program are designed to enhance the college experience for bright, highly motivated students. Small, challenging classes encourage give and take between student and instructor, enhance opportunities for independent research, and allow the student to pursue individual goals.

Humanities Courses - Humanities courses are classes that cover subjects such as literature, philosophy, language, and the fine arts. Most undergraduate degrees require a certain number of humanities credit hours.

Hybrid classes - A hybrid course is one that combines online learning (accessible from the Web) and face-to-face instruction. The schedule and structure (which include online assignments and discussion forums as well as required labs) can significantly vary from one class to another. These are typically determined by the instructor based upon learning goals, course objectives, content, and available resources. Generally, a course that offers at least 25% face-to-face time combined with at most 75% online components or up to a maximum of 75% face-to-face time and at least 25% online components is a hybrid course.

I

Incomplete - An instructor may assign an incomplete (a grade of "I") to a student. It will be assigned only when a student has not completed a major assignment or examination. Course requirements must be completed within a mutually agreed-upon timeframe by instructor and student by a specified time or the "I" grade will be automatically changed to an "F."

International Student - An applicant who is requesting a student visa (F-1) or transferring from another college under a student visa.

J

Junior/Community College - A junior/community college is a two-year institution of higher education. Course offerings generally include a transfer curriculum with credits transferable toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year college and an occupational or technical curriculum with courses of study designed to prepare students for employment in two years.

L

Loan - Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid.

Loan Counseling - Counseling session provides information about how to manage your student loans, both during and after college. This session is typically required for all first-time borrower.

Lecture vs. Laboratory vs. Discussion Classes - In lecture classes, students attend class on a regular basis and the instructor lectures on class material. Laboratory classes require students to perform certain functions in controlled situations that help them test and understand what is being taught in the lecture. Discussion classes offer students the opportunity to talk about material being taught, ask questions, and discuss material with their classmates.



Letter Grades/Grade Point Averages (GPA) - Most colleges use both letter grades and GPAs in determining students' grades. Grades at most colleges are figured using the following method: A's are worth 4 points, B's are worth 3 points, C's are worth 2 points, D's are worth 1 point, F's are worth 0 points. To figure a GPA, simply multiply the number of hours a course is worth by the number of points for the letter grade, then add up the totals for each course and divide by the number of credit hours. The result is the grade point average.

M

Major/Minor - A major is a student's chosen field of study. It usually requires the successful completion of a specified number of credit hours. A minor is designated as a specific number of credit hours in a secondary field of study.

Master Promissory Note - The legal, binding document that must be signed by the student borrower prior to loan funds being disbursed to the college or university. The promissory note states the terms and conditions of the loan, including repayment schedule, interest rate, deferment policies, and cancellation provisions.

Midterm Exams (Midterms) - During the middle of each semester, instructors may give mid-term exams that test students on the material covered during the first half of the semester. Some classes have only two tests, a mid-term and a final.

N

Non-Credit Courses - These are classes or courses that do not meet the requirements for a certificate or a degree at a given institution. Non-credit courses may serve one of several purposes: to explore new fields of study, increase proficiency in a particular profession, develop potential or enrich life experiences through cultural and/or recreational studies.

O

Official Transcript - An official college transcript is one that you (the receiving institution) have received directly from the issuing high school, college or university. It must bear the school or college seal, current date and an appropriate signature. Transcripts received that do not meet these requirements should not be considered official and should be routinely rejected for any permanent use."

Online Classes - Online classes meet via computer, through an online learning management system, like Blackboard. Online students log in to attend class. There they access course lectures, receive assignments, and correspond with classmates and instructors.

Orientation - Orientation is a valuable resource that provides a variety of information that will help you navigate through college policies and procedures. 

P

Placement Testing - Placement tests ensure that you get started in the right classes for your academic background and your program. Taking a class for which you are not prepared could prevent you from successfully moving forward in your college career. If your test scores indicate that you need additional preparation before you enter classes that count toward your program, you may need to take one or more developmental courses.

Prerequisite Courses - This is a condition or requirement that must be met before enrolling in a course. To satisfy a prerequisite, you must receive a "C" or better in the course to advance to the next class.

President's List - A category of students in a college or university who achieve high grades during their stay in an academic term or academic year. 

Private/Public Institutions - Private and public institutions differ primarily in terms of their source of financial support. Public institutions receive funding from the state or other governmental entities and are administered by public boards. Private institutions rely on income from private donations, from religious or other organizations, and student tuition.

Priority Dates - Priority Dates are the dates by which you need to have your file completed in order to get financial aid before the fee payment deadline.

Purge - The "purge" is the date that registered students with any balance due will be deleted from all classes. Three things can protect you from the purge.

- A completed financial aid file

- A Do Not Purge payment plan

- Full payment of all charges

R

Register/Enroll - This is the procedure by which students choose classes each semester. It also includes the assessment and collection of fees.

Registrar - The registrar of an institution is responsible for the maintenance of all academic records and may include such duties as: maintenance of class enrollments, providing statistical information on student enrollment, student eligibility for academic honors, administering probation and retention policies, and verification of the completion of degree requirements for graduation.

Registration - The registration period is the time when students can register for classes to be offered during the upcoming semester.

Registration Verification - This a process that checks to ensure the student made a satisfactory grade in pre-requisite courses before the term begins. Students who did not successfully complete the pre-requisite course will be removed from the upcoming course registration. This process is run at the beginning of every full and half-semester.

S

Schedule of Classes - Colleges prepare a Class Schedule for each semester during the previous semester. With the help of academic advisors and/or faculty members, students make up their own individual class schedules for each semester they are enrolled. Courses are designated in the Class Schedule by course department, course number, time, and days the course meets.

Student Aid Report (SAR) - A Student Aid Report (SAR) is a document received after the FAFSA is processed. The SAR will list all of the answers provided on the FAFSA. The SAR will contain an individual's Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which is used to determine eligibility for federal student aid. The institution will use this number to determine eligibility for financial aid based on the school's cost of attendance.

Student Identification Card (I.D.) - A student I.D. is usually required in college. It is similar to a driver's license and generally includes a photograph of the student, a student number, the student's name, the name of the college, and the semester enrolled.

Student Services - Activities that contribute to the emotional and physical well-being of the students, as well as to their intellectual, cultural, and social development outside of the context of the institution's formal instruction program.

Suspension - A temporary separation of the college and student under specified conditions.

Syllabus - The syllabus includes college, school, and departmental information and explains expectations, policies and requirements for a particular course.

T

Transcript - The transcript is a permanent academic record. It may show courses taken, grades received, academic status, and honors received. The college will not release the transcript of a student who owes any money to the college.

Transfer Agreements – Many colleges and universities have transfer agreements with area colleges and universities to help you transfer. If you follow one of these agreements, you can move from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree without loss of credits or duplication of courses.

Transfer Degree (AA/AS) - Transfer degrees are designed for students who want to complete their first two years of college work and then transfer on to a four-year institution. 

Transfer of Credits - Some students attend more than one institution during their college career. When they move or transfer from one college to another, they also transfer accumulated credit hours from the former institution to the new one. The new institution determines which courses will apply toward graduation requirements.

Transfer Student - A student entering the reporting institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate, graduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.

Tuition - Tuition is the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment. Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board. Tuition charges vary from college to college and are dependent on such factors as resident or out-of-state status, level of classes enrolled in (lower, upper or graduate division), and whether the institution is publicly or privately financed.

Tutors - A tutor is a person, generally another student, who has completed and/or demonstrated proficiency in a course or subject, and is able to provide instruction to another student. Tutors usually help students better understand course material and make better grades.

UV

Undergraduate - An undergraduate is a student who is pursuing a one-, two-, or four-year degree.

Verification - Verification is a process required by federal regulations, used to validate the accuracy of information and data reported on the FAFSA and/or for resolving conflicting information in a student's financial aid record. 

W

Withdrawal - Students may withdraw from courses during a semester. This action becomes valid after the add/drop period expires. A withdrawal does appear on a transcript, counts as an attempt on the class, and charges tuition fees. They do not, however, impact your GPA. GTC gives a student three attempts to successfully complete a course, so do not treat withdrawals lightly.