College Terms

Grant

A type of financial aid that does not have to be paid back after the student leaves school. They are available through the federal government, state agencies, and educational institutions.

Loan

A type of financial aid that must be repaid to the government agency or other lending organization when the student leaves school.

Work-Study

A type of financial aid which pays students to work part-time, often on campus, during the academic year.

Scholarship

A type of financial aid. Organizations may give these according to academic achievement, financial need, or any other basis. Usually there is a competitive application process.

Credit

A unit of measure for college work. Generally speaking, one credit hour represents one hour of classroom attendance each week for one term, plus the study time, homework, etc. that go along with it.

Term

A unit of time that can refer to either a quarter or a semester, depending on which system the college or university follows.

Syllabus

An outline plan for a particular class like a contract that define obligations of the student and instructor along with schedules, assignments, policies, and procedures.

Records

Refers to all the information the college might keep regarding a student; it includes registration activity (enrollment, withdrawal, etc.), grades, payments, awards received, financial aid applications and award notices, and notes on disciplinary actions, as well as address, phone number, and student identification number.

Concurrent Enrollment

Requires pre-approval from your advisor when you take classes at two different colleges at the same time.

Semester

Some schools organize the academic year into two main periods-Fall and Spring plus a shorter Summer session.

Major

Specialization in one academic discipline or field of study.

ID/EUID

A series of numbers and letters used to identify students especially as part of their email and to access the student information system

TSI

A state requirement for all undergraduate students at public colleges and universities in Texas (i.e. ACCUPLACER, THEA, COMPASS, and ASSET)

Freshman

A student in the first year of a typical four-year baccalaureate degree program (or one who has earned fewer than 45 quarter credits or 30 semester credits so far).

Senior

A student in the fourth year of a typical four-year baccalaureate degree program (or one who has earned 135-180 quarter credits or 90-120 semester credits so far).

Sophomore

A student in the second year of a typical four-year baccalaureate degree program (or one who has earned 45-90 quarter credits or 30-60 semester credits so far).

Junior

A student in the third year of a typical four-year baccalaureate degree program (or one who has earned 90-135 quarter credits or 60-90 semester credits so far).

Bluebook

A blank book used in taking college examinations, with a green or blue cover.

Bachelor's Degree

A college degree which can often be earned by following a four-year instructional program (in a 4-year college).

Elective

A course that is not required for a particular instructional program. Many programs require a certain number of complementary credits, and many recommend certain complementary courses for students to choose from.

Prerequisite

A course that must be completed (often with a certain minimum grade) or a skill that must be demonstrated before a student can enroll in a more advanced course.

Degree

A rank conferred by a college or university and earned by a student who has successfully completed specified courses and requirement.

WF

A grade of F is recorded for the dropped course which obviously has a negative affect on a grade point average

Degree Audit

A list of all the course and requirements you have completed and those you still need to complete in order to graduate

Advisor

A member of the college faculty or staff who assists students with planning quarter or semester schedules as well as their overall programs of study.

Assessment

A method of determining a student's knowledge or skill level.

Student Center

A part of the student information system that allows a student to register, add or drop a classes

TA/TF

A student who assists a professor or teacher with instructional responsibilities

Audit

A student who attends a course formally registers for it and attends class sessions but earns no credit and has no obligation to complete homework projects or take tests.

Undergraduate

A student who has not yet earned a bachelor's degree; also refers to the courses and instructional programs such a student enrolls in.

Tuition And Fees

A student's basic payment towards the cost of instruction at a college or university. Most institutions also charge these for laboratory equipment and materials, computer use, parking, and other miscellaneous costs.

Internship

A supervised short-term apprenticeship or temporary job in a real-world setting closely related to a student's field of study. The student may or may not be paid but earns college credit for the work experience. See also practicum.

Early Reg

A time period during which you can select your courses for the following semester. The dates for this event are listed in the Schedule of Classes.

Dean

An academic administrator at the university, with responsibility for students or faculty.

Hold/block

An obligation to the university that interferes with registration

Transcript

An official record of the courses and semester or quarter credits a student has taken at a college or university, the grades and degrees or certificates earned, and any awards and honors received.

Admission

Approval for a student to attend an educational institution.

Accreditation

Certification that a school or an instructional program meets standards set by an outside reviewing organization.

Online Classes

Course where the content is taught through Blackboard software either instead of meeting in person or in a blended format (some parts taught in person and other parts via Blackboard). Contact the department where the course is offered to determine how to access your online classes.

Financial Aid

Money available from various sources to help students pay college expenses These funds come as loans, grants, or scholarships from the state or federal government or other organizations. Work-study is also a form of this.

Scantron

Papers on which students mark answers to academic test questions.

W

Term for when you drop a class after the 12th class day until a designated date. It will show up on place of a grade on your transcript.

Commencement

The ceremony at the end of an academic year when students receive their degrees or diplomas.

BlackBoard

The course management system for blended and online aspects of a class

Reading Day

The day before final exams begin each semester. No classes meet this day to give time to study for exams.

Application

The first step in requesting admission to an institution of higher education. Usually there is a form to fill out by a certain deadline; sometimes there is an fee to pay.

Faculty

The instructors or teaching staff at a school.

Campus

The land and buildings that a college or university uses for instruction or student services.

Registration

The process of enrolling for classes and getting approved

Withdrawal

The process of formally dropping a class or classes after the term has started.

Enrollment

The process of signing up and paying for courses.

Grade-Point Average (GPA)

This is computed by multiplying the number value of the grade earned in each course (generally, A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) times the number credits for each course, then dividing the result by the total number of credits taken.

Catalog

This on-line resource has degree plan requirements, course descriptions, and course pre-requisites listed.

Office Hours

Time set aside by faculty to make themselves available on an appropriate, regular, student-convenient basis

Drop

To cancel registration in a course after enrolling into it. Students often add and drop courses before settling on a class schedule for a particular quarter or semester. See also withdrawal.

Census Dates

When a student's enrollment is considered official. Various offices may use this information (i.e. financial aid, international students, athletes, etc.) to verify enrollment. At UNT, a student can drop a class before the census date without instructor approval and no grade will be assigned. After the census date, the student must get instructor approval to drop a course and a grade of W or WF is recorded for the course.

Overload

When you choose to take more than 19 hours in any given semester.

Withdraw

When you remove yourself from all of your classes. Requires permission from the Registrar's Office.

Classification

drop a course and a grade of W or WF is recorded for the course.