AdvisingHandbook

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) A form that a student fills out to see if they are eligible for any kind of federal grants, state grants, work-study opportunities, or loans Federal Grants Grants award to the student through the FAFSA; grants are generally needs-based and do not need repaid

First-Generation Student A student who is the first person in their family to go to college

Full-Time Student A student who is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in one semester

General Education Requirements The required amount of general education courses that are necessary to graduate with an undergraduate degree Grade Point Average (GPA) T he average of a student’s grades in their coursework; there is GPA by term (TGPA) or cumulative GPA (CGPA)

Higher Education Refers to any formal schooling after high school

Independent Study An instance where a professor teaches a course to a student individually, due to needing the requirement to graduate, missing a course in sequence, etc. Internship A short-term work experience where a student gets hands on training for the career path they have chosen; can be paid or unpaid

Major T he primary focus of a student’s education

Midterm Exam Mid-semester, an exam that is given to assess learning up to that point of the term

Minor T he secondary focus of a student’s education

Orientation V iewed as a “training period” for students; includes activities to get students acclimated with their new environment and provides important information useful to students

Part-Time Student A student who in enrolled in less than 12 credit hours

Updated 8/18/22