Knowing The Words

It sometimes seems as though there is a whole new language when you start looking at college. To help you understand the words that are used, a number of them have been defined here.

Advanced Placement (AP) - Credit for introductory college courses based on demonstrated knowledge of content; student eligible to take the advanced course

ASSET/COMPASS - Tests for college-level English and math placement

Cincinnati National College Fair - Fall event at the Convention Center featuring representatives from area and national colleges and universities

College Entrance Examinations - Standardized tests needed to apply to many college programs; often given at test centers on specific test dates; often requires preregistration; examples include the following:

ACT (American College Test) - Test of English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning

PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) - Practice test for the SAT test

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) - Test of verbal and mathematical abilities

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) - Credit for introductory college courses through exams

Early Decision - Application process well in advance of the normal spring application dates in which a commitment is made by the student that, if admitted, the student will enroll at that institution

Financial Aid - Grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans provided to help cover the cost of college

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Application for federal student financial aid; often used to apply for state and college aid as well; processed free of charge; available from high school and college offices or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov each January 1 for the upcoming year

Grade Point Average - Academic performance indicator

Grants - Need-based financial aid; not repaid

Job Shadowing - Spending time with someone at their worksite to see what their job involves; used to help in career decision making

Loan - Financial aid that has to be repaid, usually with interest; repayment often begins after college

Open Admission - All students who complete the application and have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent are admitted to the degree programs

PLAN - Tenth grade assessment program from ACT to help students improve college planning and preparation; contains academic tests, interest inventory, and study skills assessment

Post-Secondary Enrollment/Early Admission/Dual Enrollment - Admitting students of superior ability into college courses and programs before they have completed the standard high school program

Rolling Admission - Applications are reviewed and decisions made throughout the year

Scholarship - Merit or need-based financial aid; not repaid

Transcript - Official record of high school or college courses and grades; generally required as part of the college application

Work-Study - Student employment program offered as part of a financial aid package