College Vocab Review

A type of gift aid that is based on your GPA, academic performance, and extracurricular participation in addition to looking at financial need; does not need to be repaid.

• merit-based

• needs-based

• loan

• tuition

A higher education institution that offers 4-year programs; often composed of different schools for different majors; used interchangable with "college" and usually features a graduate school program as well.

• graduate school

• admissions

• university

• community college

When a student applies and commits to a school (usually their first choice) by an earlier deadline and is required to attend that school if accepted.

• early decision

• early action

• transcript

• admissions

A student who continues with their studies after graduating with their bachelor's degree.

• undergraduate student

• graduate student

• high school student

• Master's degree

When a student applies for admission by an earlier deadline and receives their acceptance or denial, but is NOT required to enroll in university even if accepted.

• early decision

• early action

• university

• merit-based

A type of financial aid that is awarded solely based on your family's financial need; does not need to be repaid because this comes in the form of a scholarship or grant.

• merit-based

• needs-based

• doctoral degree

• room and board

Money paid for the education received at a school.

• scholarship

• certificate

• tuition

• loan

A 2-year institution providing lower-lovel college courses at more affordable rates; sometimes called "junior college." Upon graduating from here, students can often transfer to a 4-year institution.

• community college

• private college

• graduate school

• university

Money awarded to a student to use towards their college education; can be earned based on a student's academic or athletic achievement, or by character with some consideration toward need; does NOT need to be repaid.

• loan

• scholarship

• early decision

• SAT

An alternative academic qualification concentrating on specific topics within a professional field; usually takes 2 years or less to complete; NOT equivalent to a degree

• doctoral degree

• liberal arts college

• bachelor's degree

• certificate