Below are a few terms and phrases that you will need to know in order to ease the process.
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401(k) - A popular type of retirement fund.
A
A.A.- This stands for an "associate of arts" degree, which can be earned at most two-year colleges.
A.A.S.- This refers to an "associate of applied science" degree, which can be earned at some two-year colleges.
Academic Scholarships- Academic scholarships are based upon academic efforts as shown in your college application.
Acceptance- Being allowed to attend a college.
Accreditation- The recognition by an outside agency that a school maintains a high standards that enable students to qualify for admission to other accredited institutions.
Active Duty - Continuous duty on a daily basis. Comparable to "full time" as used in reference to a civilian job.
American College Test (ACT) - A standardized (or regulated) college admission test. It features four main sections: English, math, reading and science — and an optional essay section.
Admission Requirements - A set of rules established by each college for a student to be accepted.
Advanced Placement- The placement of a student in a high school course that offers college credit if successfully completed.
Advanced Standing - Admission status when a student has completed more than 12 college credits.
Alumni-This is a group of people who have graduated from a college or university.
Applicant - A person who applies, as for a job, grant, support, etc; candidate. An applicant for something such as a job or a college is someone who makes a formal written request to be considered for it.
Application Deadline- A date or time before which an application must be done and submitted. After this date an application will not accepted.
Art School (Arts College, Art Institute, Conservatory)- A school where the primary focus is on the visual arts, including fine art, especially illustration, painting, photography, sculpture, and graphic design.
Associates Degree- Two-year college degree from a community college, university, college, or career school. Associate's degrees are normally earned with about sixty college credits, including general education courses, electives, and courses required toward a specific college major. The recipient of an associate's degree can then transfer the credits toward a four year, bachelor's degree program.
Athletic Scholarships- These scholarships are based upon athletic ability and your prospective college’s departmental needs. Division I, II, and III college athletic scholarships are very difficult to receive because of fierce competition.
Audit- To attend a class without receiving credit for the class.
B
B.A. or B.S.- B.A. stands for "bachelor of arts," and B.S. stands for "bachelor of science." Both degrees can be earned at four-year colleges.
Base - A location of an installation on which a military force relies for supplies or from where it initiates operations.
Blue Collar/ Service Occupations- Refers to people who do physical work and who usually do not work in an office.
Business Sector- A part of the economy including companies and excluding the general government, private households, and nonprofit organizations serving individuals.
C
Campus Tour- A campus tour is a visit of a college or university's campus. Prospective students, their family members and other visitors take campus tours to learn about the college or university's facilities, as well as student life, culture on campus, academics, and programs offered by the institution.
Career Fair- An event that gives students and employers a chance to meet one another, establish professional relationships, and discuss potential job and/or internship opportunities.
Charter School- A public school that operates under a performance contract, or a “charter” which frees them from many regulations created for traditional public schools while holding them accountable for academic and financial results. The charter contract between the charter school governing board and the sponsor details the school’s mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment and ways to measure success. The length of time for which charters are granted varies but most are granted for five years.
Civilian - Anyone not on active duty in the military.
Class Rank- A measurement of how a students academic achievement compares with that of other students in your grade. This number is usually determined by using a weighted GPA that takes into account both your grades and the difficulty of the courses you’ve taken.
College- an institution for vocational, technical, or professional instruction, as in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture,or music, often a part of a university.
College Catalog - A book published by the college describing requirements for admission, degrees, services and course descriptions.
College Credit- What you get when you successfully complete a college-level course. You need a certain number of credits to graduate with a degree. Colleges may also grant credit for scores on exams, such as those offered by the College Board’s AP Program® and CLEP.
College Essay- An essay that a college requires students to write and submit as part of their application. Some colleges offer applicants specific questions to answer, while others simply ask applicants to write about themselves. Colleges may refer to this as a “personal statement”.
College Fair- An event in which college admissions representatives come together at a school, community-gathering or large convention center to meet one-on-one with high school students (and parents) to talk about their respective colleges and answer questions.
College Search- The act of researching colleges and universities, what they have to offer and your ability to attend.
Commissioned Officer - A member of the military with the rank of second lieutenant or ensign or above. This role in the military is similar to that of a manager or executive.
Common Application- A standard application form accepted by all colleges that are members of the common application association. You can fill out this application once and submit it to any one — or several of the nearly 700 colleges that accept it.
Community College- Community colleges, sometimes called junior colleges, technical colleges, or city colleges, are primarily two-year public institutions providing higher education and lower-level courses, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees. Many also offer continuing and adult education. After graduating from a community college, some students transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree.
Commuter Student- A student who lives at home and travels to school every day.
Compensation - The money received by an employee, from an employer, for worked performed.
Cost-of-living - The amount of money needed to keep a certain level of living including basic needs such as housing, food, taxes and health care.
Credit History- A credit history is a record of all events connected with payment of a set of debts, such as on-time payments, late payments, nonpayment, default, liens and bankruptcy discharge.
Credit (or Semester) Hour- Credit given for attending one lecture hour of class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting time for a week is three hours.
Credit Score- Also referred to as a credit rating, a credit score is a measure of the likelihood of a borrower paying back a debt according to the agreement. It is based on the borrower's credit history. Credit bureaus and credit reporting agencies provide this information to banks and businesses to help them decide whether to issue a loan or extend credit.
Custodial Parent- If a student's parents are divorced or separated, the custodial parent is the one with whom the student lived the most during the past 12 months. The student's need analysis is based on financial information supplied by the custodial parent.
D
Dual Enrollment- A program that allows high school students (usually sophomores, juniors, and seniors) to enroll in college courses for credit prior to high school graduation.
Deadline- The date by which your application, whether it’s for college admission, student housing or financial aid, must be received to be given the strongest consideration.
Default - A loan is in default when the borrower fails to pay several regular installments on time or otherwise fails to meet the terms and conditions of the loan.
Deferment - Occurs when a borrower is allowed to postpone repaying the loan.
Deferred Admission/ Enrollment- Permission from a college that has accepted you to postpone enrolling in the college. The postponement is usually for up to one year.
Delayed Entry Program - Allows an applicant to delay entry into active duty for up to one year for such things as finishing school.
Delinquent - If the borrower fails to make a payment on time, the borrower is considered delinquent and late fees may be charged.
Demonstrated Need- This is the difference between the cost of attending a college and your expected family contribution.
Denial- The decision by an admissions officer or committee to not offer a student entry to a particular institution.
Dependent - For a child or other person to be considered your dependent, they must live with you and you must provide them with more than half of their support.
Disbursement - Disbursement is the release of loan funds to the school for delivery to the borrower.
Drill - To train or exercise in military operations.
Duty - Assigned task or occupation.
E
Early Decision- An option to submit an application to your first-choice college before the regular deadline. When you apply early decision, you get an admission decision earlier than usual. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to enroll in the college immediately if admitted and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs. Some colleges have an early decision option called ED II, which has a later application deadline than their regular ED plan.
Early Admission- Through this program, qualifying high school juniors with outstanding academic records may forego their senior year in high school and enroll in a college or university.
Earnings- Money obtained in return for labor or services.
Emancipated - To release a child from the control of a parent or guardian.
Enlisted Member - Military personnel below the rank of warrant or commissioned officers. This role is similar to that of a company employee or supervisor.
Enlistee - A service member, not a warrant officer or commissioned officer, who has been accepted by the military and has taken the Oath of Enlistment.
Enlistment Agreement/Contract - A legal contract between the military and an enlistment applicant. Includes information on enlistment date, term of enlistment, and other options such as a training program guarantee or a cash bonus.
Enrollment- The action of gaining entry or being enrolled. The number of people enrolled, typically at a school or college.
Establishment - A place of business or residence with its furnishings and staff; a public or private institution.
Equity - The dollar value of your ownership in a piece of property.
Extracurricular- not part of one's regular work, routine, etc.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)- The EFC is the amount of money you and your family could be expected to pay for one year of college costs, based on the data gathered from the FAFSA and determined by a federal formula applied to that data. This figure often differs from the actual amount you will be required to pay.
F
FAFSA- To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid, and some private financial aid providers may use your FAFSA information to determine whether you qualify for their aid.
Fees- These are charges that cover costs not associated with the student's course load, such as costs of some athletic activities, clubs, and special events.
Federal Perkins Loans- low-interest federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need made through the Federal Perkins Loan Program.
Federal Pell Grant- This grant is a form of financial aid provided by the Federal government to students whose FAFSA indicates a high level of financial need.
Fellowship - A form of aid given to graduate students to help support their education.
Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program- This program provides scholarships based on high school academic achievement. The program has different award levels, each with its own eligibility criteria and award amounts. Awards are per credit hour.
Financial Aid- Money given or loaned to you to help pay for college. Financial aid can come from federal and state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Learn more about financial aid.
Financial Aid Administrator (FAA) - A college or university employee who is involved in the administration of financial aid. Some schools call FAAs "Financial Aid Advisers" or "Financial Aid Counselors".
Financial Aid Office (FAO) - The college or university office that is responsible for the determination of financial need and the awarding of financial aid.
Financial Safety School - A school you are certain will admit you, and which is inexpensive enough that you can afford to attend even if you get no (or very little) financial aid.
First Generation- The first person in a family to become a citizen in a new country, graduate high school, attend or complete college.
First-Time Borrower - A first-year undergraduate student who has no unpaid loan balances outstanding on the date he or she signs a promissory note for an educational loan.
Fiscal Year - The federal government's fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30.
Fixed Rate - A fixed rate is an interest rate that does not change and remains the same for the life of the loan.
Forgiveness - Loan forgiveness releases the borrower from his or her obligation to repay the loan, usually due to circumstances within the borrower's control.
Full-time Employees- An employee employed on average at least 30 hours of service per week, or 130 hours of service per month.
G
GI Bill Benefits - A program of education benefits for individuals entering the military. Allows service persons to set aside money to be used later for educational purposes.
Gap-Year- A period, typically an academic year, taken by a student as a break between high school and higher education.
Gapping - The practice of failing to meet a student's full demonstrated need.
Gift Aid - Financial aid, such as grants and scholarships, which does not need to be repaid.
Grace Period - A short time period after graduation during which the borrower is not required to begin repaying his or her student loans.
Grade Point Average (GPA)- A number that shows overall academic performance. It’s computed by assigning a point value to each grade you earn. This average is converted to a 4.0 scale (4.0 is an A, 3.0 is a B, and 2.0 is a C). Some schools use a 5.0 scale for the GPA. See also Weighted Grade Point Average.
Graduate Assistantship - There are two types of graduate assistantships: teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA).
Graduate Degrees- These degrees are earned beyond the bachelor's degree when the student completes graduate school curriculum requirements. Common examples include the MA (master’s degree), PhD (doctoral degree) MBA (master’s degree in business administration), MD (medical doctor).
Graduate School- A school or division of a university or college devoted entirely to students who have already completed their undergraduate studies.
Grant- An amount of money that is given to someone by a government, a company, etc., to be used for a particular purpose.
Gross Income - Income before taxes, deductions and allowances have been subtracted.
Guidance Counselor- A person whose job is to offer advice on problems, help troubled students and assist students in making career or college plans.
H
Health Insurance- A type of insurance coverage that pays for medical and surgical expenses.
Hire - To obtain services of for a set amount of money; to take employment.
Historically Black College or University (HBCU)- The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.
Honors Classes- Higher-level classes that proceed at a faster pace and cover more material than regular classes. Honors classes are usually reserved for talented high school students who excel in certain subjects.
Hourly Rate- The amount of money that is charged, paid, or earned for every hour worked.
I
Inactive Reserve Duty - Affiliation with the military in a non-training, non-paying status after completing minimum obligation off active duty service.
Income - The amount of money received from employment (salary, wages, tips), profit from financial instruments (interest, dividends, capital gains), or other sources (welfare, disability, child support, Social Security and pensions).
Income-Based Repayment - Under an income-based repayment schedule, the size of the monthly payments depends on the income earned by the borrower. As the borrower's income increases, so do the payments.
Indeed- Indeed.com is one of the top job sites on the internet with over 200 million visitors each month. Indeed sweeps the internet and creates listings from job boards and company websites for you to search from.
Independent - An independent student is at least 24 years old as of January 1 of the academic year, is married, is a graduate or professional student, has a legal dependent other than a spouse, is a veteran of the US Armed Forces, or is an orphan or ward of the court (or was a ward of the court until age 18).
Industry - A department or branch of a craft, art, business, or manufacture; work devoted to the study of a particular subject or author.
Infantry - Units of men trained, armed, and equipped to fight on foot.
Interview- a formal meeting in which one or more persons question, consult, or evaluate another person.
Instate (Resident) Student- Student that has at least one parent who is a state resident for at least one full year before the student begins school at that college.
Institutional Grant- This is a need-based grant provided by an institution and offered to students whose families are unable to pay the full cost of college. Institutional grants do not have to be repaid.
Interest - The interest on a loan is a fee charged periodically in exchange for the use of a lender's money. It is paid in addition to repaying the amount borrowed.
Internship - Part-time job during the academic year or the summer months in which a student receives supervised practical training in a their field. Internships are often very closely related to the student's academic and career goals, and may serve as a precursor to professional employment. Some internships provide very close supervision by a mentor in an apprenticeship-like relationship. Some internships provide the student with a stipend, some don't.
Issuer - The issuer of a loan is the lender that made (funded) the loan.
J
Job opening - A specific position that needs to be filled at an establishment.
K
L
Labor Force- The number of individuals in an economy who either are employed or are seeking employment.
Lender - A bank, credit union, savings & loan association, or other financial institution that provides funds to the student or parent for an educational loan.
Legacy Applicant- A college applicant with a relative (usually a parent or grandparent) who graduated from that college. Some colleges give preference to legacy applicants (also called “legacies”).
Liberal Arts College- A college with an emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts (such as academic subjects such as literature, philosophy, mathematics, and social and physical sciences).
LinkedIn- LinkedIn.com is a social media platform geared to professionals. It enables you to network and to build your professional portfolio, but you can also go out into the world and look for a new job. It is also used by employers and recruiters who are looking for job candidates.
Loans- A thing that is borrowed, often a sum of money that is expected to be paid back with interest.
M
Magnet School- An elementary, middle, or high school that offers, to all students enrolled, a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.
Major- A student's concentrated field of study.
Matriculate - A student matriculates in college when he or she enrolls in college for the first time.
Merit-Based Grant- A form of gift aid (does not require repayment) based upon your grade point average, academic excellence and extracurricular involvement with some attention to your financial need.
Minor- A student's secondary field of study.
Monster- Monster.com is a global online employment solution for people seeking jobs and the employers who need great people.
N
National Guard - Serves in both a state and federal capacity. May be call on to assist in community support, disaster relief, and other local emergencies. During national emergencies, units are called on to support their active counterparts in the Army and Air Force.
NCO - Non-commissioned Officer. An enlisted member in pay grades E-4 or higher.
Need-Based Grant- This grant is offered, as a part of the financial aid package, when a student and his or her family are unable to pay the full cost of attending an institution. The grant does not need to be repaid.
Need-Blind Applicant- A policy of making admission decisions without considering the financial circumstances of applicants. Colleges that use this policy may not offer enough financial aid to meet a student’s full need.
Net Income - This is income after taxes, deductions and allowances have been subtracted.
O
Occupation - A job or profession.
Open Admission- A policy of accepting any high school graduate, no matter what his or her grades are, until all spaces in the incoming class are filled. Almost all two-year community colleges have an open-admission policy. However, a college with a general open-admission policy may have admission requirements for certain programs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost - Out-of-Pocket cost is the difference between the cost of attendance and just the grants and scholarships and other gift aid in the need-based financial aid package. It reflects the bottom line cost to the family, the amount the family will need to pay out of current and future resources, such as savings, income and loans.
Out-of-State (Non-Resident) Student- Students who do not live in the state of the public college.
P
Parent Contribution (PC) - An estimate of the portion of your educational expenses that the federal government believes your parents can afford.
Part-time Workers - Employees that typically work fewer hours in a day or during a work week than full-time employees (full time workers usually work 30 hours a week or more). Part-time workers may also be those who only work during certain parts of the year.
Pell Grant - A federal grant that provides funds of up to $5,550 (2010-11) based on the student's financial need.
Post-secondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) - The PERT is Florida's customized common placement test. The purpose of the PERT is to determine accurate course placement based on the student's skills and abilities. The PERT assessment system includes placement and diagnostic tests in mathematics, reading and writing. The PERT is administered to students in public high schools and Florida College System institutions to determine readiness for college-level courses.
Perkins Loan - Formerly the National Direct Student Loan Program, the Perkins Loan allows students to borrow up to $3,000/year (5 year max) for undergraduate school and $5,000/year for graduate school (6 year max). The Perkins Loan has one of the lowest interest rates and is awarded by the financial aid administrator to students with exceptional financial need. The student must have applied for a Pell Grant to be eligible.
Personal Statement- Most applications require one major essay, usually between 500 and 650 words. This should be roughly one solid page of your best writing, written in a narrative style and with a personal focus.
Placement Test- Colleges use placement tests in subjects like math and English to check the academic skill levels of entering students. Colleges then can place each student in classes at the right level.
PLAN Test- a "pre-ACT" test typically administered to high school students in the fall of their sophomore year.
PLUS Loan- Federal loans that graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for college or career school. Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans can help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
Polk Education Foundation- The Polk Education Foundation was created in 1988, as a 501(C)(3) direct-support organization for the Polk County School Board. The Foundation serves as the fiscal agent and manager of many educational programs for Polk County Public Schools. We serve to enhance educational programs for students with private and corporate funds. Led by a volunteer board of directors made up of community, educational and business leaders, the Foundation has raised and spent over $43 million dollars.
Prepaid Tuition Plan - A college savings plan that is guaranteed to rise in value at the same rate as college tuition.
Prerequisite- A course that must be taken prior to enrollment in another course.
Private For-Profit Institution- A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk.
Private Institution- An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials. These institutions may be either for-profit or not-for-profit.
Private Not-For profit Institution- A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent not-for-profit schools and those affiliated with a religious organization.
Productivity - The state, quality, or time it takes to produce something.
Professional Student - A student pursuing advanced study in law or medicine.
Proprietary Educational Institution- A proprietary college or university is one which operates as a private, profit-seeking business.
Public Institution- An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials and which is supported primarily by public funds.
Prospective Student- A person who is considering attending a particular college or university but has not yet officially enrolled.
R
“Reach School”- A long-shot for students because their academic credentials “fall below the school’s range for the average freshman.”
Recommendation Letter- A letter written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.
Regions - An area or division, especially part of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries.
Registrar- The college official who registers students. The registrar may also be responsible for keeping permanent records and maintaining your student file.
Registration- Enrollment ( or enlistment) in classes.
Religion Based School- A primary or secondary school supported by a religious organization.
Renewable Scholarships - A scholarship that is awarded for more than one year. Usually the student must maintain certain academic standards to be eligible for subsequent years of the award. Some renewable scholarships will require the student to reapply for the scholarship each year; others will just require a report on the student's progress to a degree.
Research Assistantship (RA)- A form of financial aid awarded to graduate students to help support their education.
Reserve Officers' Training Corps - Training given to undergraduate college students who plan to become military officers. Often they receive scholarships for tuition, books, fees, uniforms, and a monthly allowance.
Resume- This document should sum up your job history, skills and education. A resume may also list relevant professional relationships or volunteer work and may include a statement that shares your professional/academic goals.
Residence Halls- Dormitories, apartments, houses, and other living quarters provided for students by the college or university in which they are enrolled.
Retirement Plans - An arrangement to provide people with an income during retirement when they're no longer earning money from work.
Rolling Admission- An admission policy of considering each application as soon as all required information (such as high school records and test scores) has been received, rather than setting an application deadline and reviewing applications in a batch. Colleges that use a rolling admission policy usually notify applicants of admission decisions quickly.
S
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) / PSAT- The College Board’s standardized college admission test. It features three main sections: math, reading and writing, which includes a written essay. Learn more about the SAT. the Preliminary SAT is a standardized test targeting 10th and 11th graders across the United States.
“Safety School”- A safety school is a college that you're almost guaranteed to get into. Your GPA should be well above the average student's at that school and your SAT or ACT score should be above the 75th percentile for that school.
Salary- Fixed compensation paid regularly for services
Sallie Mae - (Formerly known as SLMA or the Student Loan Marketing Association) The nation's largest secondary market and holds approximately one third of all educational loans.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) - A student must make this in order to continue receiving federal aid. If a student fails to maintain an academic standing consistent with the school's SAP policy, they are unlikely to meet the school's graduation requirements.
Scholarship - A form of financial aid given to undergraduate students to help pay for their education.
Self-employed - Working for oneself as a freelancer or the owner of a business rather than for an employer.
Service Academy - The US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy, US Merchant Marine Academy, US Military Academy and US Naval Academy.
Stafford Loan- Student loans that must be repaid and are available to both undergraduate and graduate students. First-year undergraduates are eligible for loans up to $5,500. Amounts increase for additional years of study, with higher amounts for graduate students. The interest rates may vary based on when the loan is borrowed. There are two types of Stafford loans:
Subsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which the government pays the interest while you are in school, during grace periods, and during any deferment periods.
Unsubsidized Stafford loan - A loan for which you are responsible for paying all the interest that accrues from the date of the first disbursement until the loan is paid in full.
Student Retention- This is the degree to which students remain enrolled as members of the college or university community and persist toward graduation.
T
Teaching Assistantship (TA) - A form of financial aid awarded to graduate students to help support their education.
Test Of English As A Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Most colleges and universities require international students to take the TOEFL as part of their application for admission. The TOEFL evaluates a student's ability to communicate in and understand English.
Tour of Duty - A period of obligated service. Also used to describe a type of duty tour, such as a "Mediterranean tour."
Trade/Technical School- A specialized school that focuses on a single skill-based career.
Transcript- The official record of your course work at a school or college. Your high school transcript is usually required for college admission and for some financial aid packages.
Transfer Courses - College courses giving credit which may be transferred to another college.
Transfer Student- A student who enrolls in a college after having attended another college.
Tuition- This is the amount of money that colleges charge for classroom and other instruction and use of some facilities such as libraries.
Turnover Rate - The ration of the number of workers that were replaced in a given time period to the average number of workers.
U
US Department of Education (ED or USED) - Government agency that administers several federal student financial aid programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Work-Study Program, the Federal Perkins Loans, the Federal Stafford Loans and the Federal PLUS Loans.
Undergraduate School- A college student who is working toward an associate or a bachelor's degree.
Unemployment rate - The percentage of the labor force that is jobless.
Unofficial Transcript- A student's academic record without signature, seal, date, or sealed envelope.
University- An institution of higher education that provides undergraduate studies leading to the baccalaureate degree in a broad range of academic disciplines, as well as graduate studies leading to advanced degrees in at least three academic and/or professional fields.
V
Virtual Tour- a simulation of a real location made with media, including still photography, 360-degree panoramas, video, text, narration, and more. Virtual tours allow viewers to see a location and experience it without having to actually go there.
Vocational School- Option for students interested in practical post secondary education and job training. Vocational schools typically offer relatively short, career-focused programs that quickly prepare graduates for the workforce.
Volunteer / Volunteer Hours- A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. The hours a person spends performing a service willingly, without pay, and within the community.
W
W2 Form - The form listing an employee's wages and tax withheld. Employers are required by the IRS to issue a W2 form for each employee before February 28.
Wages - A fixed regular payment, typically paid on a daily or weekly basis, made by an employer to an employee, especially to a manual or unskilled worker.
Waiting List- The list of applicants who may be admitted to a college if space becomes available. Colleges wait to hear if all the students they accepted decide to attend. If students don’t enroll and there are empty spots, a college may fill them with students who are on the waiting list. Learn more about waiting lists.
Warrant Officer - A member of the Army, Navy, or Marines who is a technical specialist or pilot. These members are generally appointed from the enlisted, non-commissioned officer ranks
Weighted GPA- A grade point average that’s calculated using a system that assigns a higher point value to grades in more-difficult classes. For example, some high schools assign the value of 5.0 (instead of the standard 4.0) for an A earned in an AP class. See how to convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale.
Work-study- A way for students to earn money to pay for school through part-time on- (and sometimes off-) campus jobs.