TRANSITION 101 • CFWV.COM 5
Deferred admission option:
Deferred admission allows students to
take extra time between being accepted
and beginning classes. Students
choosing this option typically wait one
school term or one calendar year before
starting classes.
Department of Education: This
government agency administers several
Direct loan: The U.S. Department of
Education’s loan program.
Early admission: Early admission
allows students to enroll in college
before completing high school, generally
after their junior year.
Electives: Each degree program
allows students to take elective classes,
or classes that are not required but still
count toward the degree. Electives allow
students to explore their unique interests
and personalize their education.
Faculty: The term used to describe
staff members who teach classes or
conduct research on behalf of the
college. Sometimes this term is also
used to include individuals serving in an
advisory capacity.
Federal work-study program: A
federally-funded, need-based program
administered by each school, this
program allows students to work on
campus in exchange for a portion of
their tuition.
Final exams: Comprehensive tests
that are given at the end of a semester.
Often these exams are weighted more
heavily than other tests.
Financial Aid Office:
grants, scholarships various sources,
Major: The subject or discipline in
which a student chooses to specialize.
Schools typically offer many different
majors or programs of study. Students
wish to study can enter college as
“undecided” and work to complete
their general education requirements
while they decide. Students also can
change majors. However, changing
majors or staying “undecided” too long
can prevent students from graduating
on time — so it is important to talk to
an academic advisor when making
decisions about academic majors or
adjusting your program of study.
Midterm exams: Comprehensive
tests that are given midway through the
semester. Often these exams are more
heavily weighted than other tests.
Minor: An additional area of focus
or emphasis of study, often to provide
students with secondary skills related to
their major or to expand on a particular
interest area. For example, a student
might choose to major in graphic design
with a minor in advertising. Minors
require fewer credit hours to complete
than majors.
Office hours: Designated hours
when a faculty member or assigned
assistant for a course is available to
meet with students to address concerns
or provide advising. Faculty usually
for their class and indicate whether
students need an appointment or can
time to get to know your teachers and
build a relationship with them.
Orientation: Events hosted
by a college to help new students
understand the enrollment process and
become familiar with campus. During
including the federal government.
distribution of loans, and work-study
pay for your education.
Full-time: Each college decides how
many credit hours a student must take
per semester to be considered full-time.
Whether a student is considered full-time
or part-time affects the cost of tuition and
student can receive. Typically, schools
consider 12 credit hours per semester
to be “full-time.” However, it is important
to remember earning only 12 credit
hours per semester will NOT allow you
to graduate “on-time.” A student seeking
to complete a four-year degree in four
years or a two-year degree in two years
must complete, on average, 15 credit
hours per semester.
Grant: A grant is money given to
students for their education. Often
based on need, grants may come from
federal or state programs, or sometimes
from private charitable organizations. It
does not have to be repaid.
Health and wellness center: A center
on campus that provides resources to
promote healthy lifestyle choices. This
center usually offers health education
and programming for students.
Health services:
health care services to students for
provide walk-in appointments but
usually require an appointment. This
required medical forms to the institution.
Independent student: Independent
students are self-supporting students
their parents.
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