FAQ

The instructions for applying to college can vary school to school. Some universities use one standardized application site to apply to many different schools and campuses. Universities that do not use one of these standardized sites will require you to submit an application DIRECTLY on the institution's website, typically under a tab labeled "Admissions" or "Apply." 

For example: CA Community Colleges use cccapply.org, California State Universities (CSUs) use Cal State Apply at calstate.edu/apply, the University of California (UCs) use the UC Application at apply.universityofcalifornia.edu. Over 1000 colleges across the world use the Common Application, or commonapp.org, to apply in one easy place. The Common Black College App, located at commonblackcollegeapp.com, gives students one place to apply to over 67 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) in one simple step!

Navigating the Financial Aid application process can feel overwhelming, but it will all pay off. In the end, you may be eligible for more aid than you think! Visit studentaid.gov to get started on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who may be undocumented, DACA recipients (not required), a U Visa holder, or have Temporary Protective status (TPS) will still qualify for state aid in California! Students who fall under one or more of these catagories can apply for CA state financial aid through the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by visiting dream.csac.ca.gov 

Sources of Financial Aid:

• • Federal

  • State

  • Colleges & Universities

  • Private Organizations 

Types of Financial Aid:

• • Grants

  • Scholarships

  • Work-study jobs

  • Loans 

Financial Aid Tips:

• • Don’t assume you don’t qualify

  • The application is free - you have nothing to lose!

  • The FAFSA is easier than ever with the IRS Data Retrieval Tool

  • The average time it takes to complete the FAFSA is 30 minutes!

Students at RHS will make all Official Transcript and Letter of Recommendation requests through Naviance Student. Instructions for accessing Naviance and submitting formal requests can be found on the Home Page.

Remember to request all letters of rec well in advance from a teacher/counselor/coach who knows you both personally and academically. That way, you will receive the best possible letter from the individuals who know you best and can speak to who you are as a person.

Before submitting your letter of rec request, fill out the Counselor's BRAG SHEET fully and accurately. You will need to send this to each person you request a letter from.

College Specific Definitions

Holistic Admissions: When a college considers the student applicant as a whole person, beyond just standardized test scores and GPA.
 

CEEB Code: The individual code which has been assigned to each high school in the USA. The number is required by all college testing programs and application platforms. The Rodriguez High School CEEB Code is: 050919

Admission Types:

Early Decision (ED):  BINDING. Student applies early (usually by Nov. 1) and receives an admissions decision early (usually by mid-Dec.). Students can apply to only ONE college ED. If offered admission, a student is obligated to attend and must withdraw any applications to other institutions. Students should ONLY apply ED if the institution is their #1 choice, and they know they can afford the school.

Early Action (EA): NON-BINDING. Student submits application early (usually by Nov. 1) and receives an admissions decision early (usually by mid-Dec.) Students can apply to multiple colleges EA.

Regular Decision (RD): NON-BINDING. Student applies to the institution by the specific date set by that school. Institutions will typically notify students between mid - March and early April.

Rolling Admission (RA): NON-BINDING. Students may apply any time prior to the school deadline and receive an admissions decision within a few weeks. Students are admitted continuously until the deadline.

Financial Aid

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Application required by all public and private institutions to be considered for need-based financial aid. Some institutions require it to be considered for merit-based aid as well. Must be prepared annually by current and prospective applicants to determine eligibility for federal financial aid. Requires family income tax information.

College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile): College Board service to help students qualify for financial aid at the private and some public institutions. The Profile requires income tax information and is due according to individual private school deadlines.

Expected Family Contribution (EFC): Qualifying formula to estimate how much financial aid a family will qualify for. EFC is the amount of money an institution will expect a student to pay for college.

Cost of Attendance: Estimated cost for a student to attend a particular college. Typically includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, and housing.

Financial Need: Cost of Attendance - EFC = student’s financial need.

Net Price Calculator: Tool for students and parents to get an estimate of what it may cost to attend any given college. Most colleges have their own Net Price Calculator that includes their specific costs. Google the name of the school and Net Price Calculator.

Student Aid Report (SAR): After filling out the FAFSA, students receive a SAR, which provides students with their EFC.

Need-based Aid: Financial aid awarded by an institution based on a student’s FAFSA information. Can be given in the form of gift aid and grants or self-help aid, which is loans and work study.

Grants: Financial aid that does not require repayment, such as the Pell Grant or CA Promise Grant.

Merit Aid: Financial aid given to students based on a student’s strong application qualifications. Awarded in the form of academic scholarships and/or athletic scholarships. Does not have to be repaid.

WUE: Western Undergraduate Exchange. WUE is a regional tuition-reciprocity agreement that enables students from WICHE states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) to enroll in some 145 participating two- and four-year public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution's resident tuition.

Loans: Type of financial assistance that requires repayment. The terms of the loan (interest rate) will vary. Both parents and students can take out loans to pay for college.

Work-Study: Students work on campus to contribute to their cost of attendance. Part of need-based financial aid awarded by an institution.

Standardized Testing:

Test-Optional College: Institution does not require students to submit standardized test scores when applying. If students submit scores, they may be considered value-added to the application.

Test Blind College: Standardized test scores are not considered in the admissions decision.

PSAT: The preliminary (practice) SAT is offered on specific dates in October. During the junior year, PSAT is used as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Testing.

ACT: Achievement exam for college admissions. Consists of four parts: English, Math, Reading, and Science + optional essay. Test runs 3hrs 35 minutes with essay. ACT is scored on a range from 9 (minimum) to 36 (maximum).

SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test administered by the College Board. Sections include: Reading, Writing/Language, & Math. Test runs 3hrs. 1600 points possible (200-800/section).
 
AP Exams: Offered in May for a fee after completing AP level course work in a certain subject, scored from 1-5. Certain scores may earn college credit (typically 3,4,5). Accepted scores are determined by each college. Scores are not usually part of an admissions review, but the rigor of AP coursework and mastery of the subject matter is considered.

Postsecondary Education in California

• California Private Postsecondary Institutions − Some 2,500 independent

educational institutions and agencies that offer occupational instruction beyond

high school.

• Higher Education − Postsecondary educational instruction offered at the

collegiate level.

• Independent California Colleges and Universities − Includes 78 fully

accredited independent colleges and universities affiliated with the Association of

Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU).

• Postsecondary Education − Educational instruction offered beyond high school.

• The California Community Colleges − Includes 114 two-year colleges and

numerous branch campuses.

• The California State University (CSU) − Includes the following campuses:

Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton,

Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Maritime Academy, Monterey Bay,

Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San

José, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma and Stanislaus.

• The University of California (UC) − Includes the following campuses: Berkeley,

Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa

Barbara and Santa Cruz.

Types of Instruction

• Correspondence − Home-study courses that may occasionally involve on-campus

participation.

• Extension − Instruction offered at various off-campus community sites during the

regular school year.

• Full-Time/Part-Time − Student status based on the number of enrolled units.

Often used to determine fees and eligibility for services.

• Graduate/Professional − Courses offered beyond the bachelor’s degree level.

Also, students who have received a bachelor’s degree and who are enrolled in post-

baccalaureate instruction.

• Intersession − A period between two terms. Colleges commonly provide

accelerated courses during intersession.

• Lower Division − Courses offered for freshman/sophomore level credit. Also,

students whose class level is freshman or sophomore.

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• Online – Instruction in which the instructor and student are separated by distance

and interact through the assistance of communication technology. Also referred to

more formally as Distance Education. Courses utilizing a blend of online and

traditional in-person instruction are commonly referred to as “hybrid” courses.

• Quarter System – Approximately 10 weeks of instruction offered three times a

year, during the fall, winter and spring. Some colleges also offer a summer quarter.

Fall quarter normally runs from late September or early October to mid-December;

winter quarter from early January to mid- or late March; spring quarter from late

March or early April to mid- or late June.

• Semester System – Both the regular and early semester systems offer

approximately 15 weeks of instruction in the fall and in the spring. Under the

regular system, fall semester normally runs from early or mid-September to mid- or

late January; spring semester from later January or early February to late May or

early June. Under the early system, fall semester normally runs from late August or

early September to mid-December. Spring semester runs from mid- or late January

to mid-May.

• Summer Session – The period of instruction offered between June and August.

• Undergraduate – Courses offered for freshman through senior level credit. Also,

students who have not completed a bachelor’s degree.

• Upper Division – Courses offered for junior/senior class level credit. Also,

students whose class level is junior or senior.

Degree/Program Terms

• Accredited – A college or program that has been certified as fulfilling certain

standards by a national and/or regional professional association.

• American Institutions and Ideals – Courses required by the CSU to ensure each

student is knowledgeable about the Constitution of the United States, American

history, and state and local government. All CCCs have designated courses that

meet this requirement.

• Associate Degree – An Associate of Arts or Sciences degree, awarded by a

community college upon completion of a two-year program.

• Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) – Students who earn an AA-T

or AS-T degree and meet the CSU minimum eligibility requirements are guaranteed

admission to a CSU, but not necessarily to a particular campus or major. With the

special degree, you may be given a GPA bump when applying to an impacted

campus outside your local area or an impacted major that is deemed similar. In

addition, once at the CSU, if you are admitted and enrolled in a designated similar

degree program, you have the opportunity to complete your bachelor’s degree with

as little as 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework.

• Bachelor’s (Baccalaureate) Degree – A Bachelor of Arts, Sciences or related

degree, awarded upon completion of a four-year program.

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• Certificate – Awarded upon completion of a prescribed series of courses, usually

at a community college and normally completed in a year or less time.

• Concentration – An option or special emphasis within a degree program. Note

that some universities use the term “option” in place of “concentration.”

• Doctorate Degree – A Ph.D. or related degree, awarded upon the completion of a

prescribed program beyond the master’s degree level.

• General Education/Breadth Requirement – A group of foundation courses in

several disciplines required for graduation that all students are expected to meet

regardless of major field.

• Golden Four – Of the minimum 30 semester units required in general education

for upper-division CSU transfer admission, four courses must qualify for Oral

Communication, Written Communication, Critical Thinking and

Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning.

• Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) – The

transfer core curriculum that fulfills the lower division general education

requirements of both UC and CSU institutions.

• Liberal Arts – Programs/courses in the humanities, natural sciences and social

sciences.

• Major – A group of courses in a single academic discipline that leads to a degree.

• Master’s Degree – A Master of Arts, Sciences or related degree, awarded upon

completion of one or two years of study beyond the bachelor’s level.

• Minor – A secondary field of studies outside of the major field. Some degree

programs require a minor.

• Occupational/Vocational Programs – Postsecondary education programs

leading directly to employment upon completion of two years or less coursework.

• Pre-Professional – Undergraduate coursework either recommended or required

for enrollment in professional schools.

• Professional Schools – Law, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy

and other health science schools, which require or recommend specific

undergraduate preparation.

• Seven-course pattern – As part of the minimum 60 semester (90 quarter) units

required for upper-division UC transfer admission, a student must have completed

the seven-course pattern earning a grade C or better in each course. The pattern

consists of two courses in English composition, one course in mathematical concepts

and quantitative reasoning, and four courses from at least two of the following

subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and

biological sciences. Most CCCs incorporate the seven-course pattern into the IGETC

series.

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• Teaching Credential – A basic multiple or single subjects teaching certification

obtained upon completion of a bachelor’s degree and prescribed professional

education requirements in four or more years of college.

• Transfer Program – A community college program that provides the first two

years of preparation for the baccalaureate degree.

• Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Program – A community college

program that provides the first two years of preparation for the baccalaureate

degree. Six UC campuses offer the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program

for California community college students who meet specific requirements. By

participating in TAG, students will receive early review of academic records, early

admission notification and specific guidance about major preparation and general

education coursework. TAG applications are due Sept. 30, but students can only

apply for admission to a TAG program at one campus.

Admission

• Application Filing Periods – The periods during which applications may be

submitted.

• Eligibility – High school grades, completion of specified subjects, test scores,

autobiography, interview, awards, activities and other evidences of past or potential

achievement that may be required to determine admission to an institution.

• Exceptions/Special Action Admission – A limited number of students may be

admitted to some colleges as exceptions to the regular admission requirements

based on special circumstances.

• Honors Points – The University of California (UC), the California State University

(CSU), and many AICCUs assign extra grade points for up to four year-long UC-

certified honors level, Advanced Placement, and/or UC-designated International

Baccalaureate courses taken in grades 10, 11 and 12. College-level courses in the

“a-g” college preparatory subjects that are transferable to the University of

California (for the UC GPA) and to the California State University (for the CSU

GPA) are also assigned honors grade points. A maximum of two year-long courses

taken in grade 10 are assigned honors points. Grades of D are not assigned extra

honors points.

• Impacted/Selective Programs – Some institutions receive more applications than

program space available. Applicants, or prospective applicants, normally must

apply during a specified time period and participate in a competitive selection

process.

• Impacted/Selective Campuses – Similar to impacted/selective programs;

however, in this instance the campus has exhausted existing enrollment capacity in

terms of instructional resource or physical enrollment capacity, and therefore must

restrict enrollment to the campus for a specific enrollment category (i.e., first-time

freshman)

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• Intent to Enroll/Statement of Intent to Register – The University of California

and many independent colleges require admitted students to indicate their

intention to enroll by submitting a statement and/or deposit by a specified date.

• Matriculation – The process of initially enrolling in college through payment of

fees and registration of classes. It may also include an orientation, assessment, and a

counseling and advising component at the California Community Colleges.

• Non-Restrictive Application Plans – All of these plans allow students to wait

until May 1 to confirm enrollment.

o Regular Decision is the application process in which a student submits an

application to an institution by a specified date and receives a decision within a

reasonable and clearly stated period of time. A student may apply to other

institutions without restriction.

o Rolling Admission is the application process in which an institution reviews

applications as they are completed and renders admissions decisions to students

through the admission cycle. A student may apply to other institutions without

restriction.

o Early Action (EA) is the application process in which students apply to an

institution of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the

institution’s regular response date. Students who are admitted under Early

Action are not obligated to accept the institution’s offer of admission or to submit

a deposit prior to May 1. Under nonrestrictive Early Action, a student may apply

to other colleges. Also referred to as Early Admission.

• Resident/Non-Resident Status – Student status based on place of legal

residence. Non-residents (out-of-state/foreign students) who attend public colleges

must pay higher fees and often meet higher admissions requirements than resident

students. Exemption from paying non-resident tuition is determined by the

requirements set forth in legislation commonly referred to as AB540. Does not apply

to students who attend independent or private colleges.

• Restrictive Application Plans – Plans that allow institutions to limit students

from applying to other early plans.

o Early Decision (ED) is the application process in which students make a

commitment to a first-choice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will

enroll. While pursing admission under an ED plan, students may apply to other

institutions but may have only one ED application pending at any time. Should a

student who applies for financial aid not be offered an award that makes

attendance possible, the student may decline the offer of admission and be

released from the ED commitment. The institution must notify the applicant of

the decision within a reasonable and clearly stated period of time after the ED

deadline. Usually, a nonrefundable deposit must be made well in advance of

May 1. The institution will respond to an application for financial aid at or near

the time of an offer of admission.

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Institutions with ED plans may restrict students from applying to other early

plans. Institutions will clearly articulate their specific policies in their ED

agreement.

o Restrictive Early Action (REA) is the application process in which students

make application to an institution of preference and receive a decision well in

advance of the institution’s regular response date. Institutions with REA plans

place restrictions on student applications to other early plans. Institutions will

clearly articulate these restrictions in their Early Action policies and agreements

with students. Students who are admitted under REA are not obligated to accept

the institution’s offer of admission or to submit a deposit prior to May 1. (See

NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice.)

• Registration – The time students select classes and pay fees. Examinations/Tests

• American College Test (ACT) Assessment (with or without writing) – ACT assesses high school students’ general education development and students’ ability to complete college-level work.

• Advanced Placement (AP) – Designated honors-level courses may provide college credit for students scoring at a certain level on an AP examination. AP examinations are given in May of each year.

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP) – The CLEP program is a set of standardized tests in various subjects in which qualifying scores can be used to earn college or university credits. CLEP credit is not accepted by UC campuses.

• Early Assessment Program (EAP) – The EAP program helps high school students determine if their English and math skills are ready for college at a CSU or CCC campus.

• Placement Tests – Tests administered by colleges to determine the entry-level placement of students in certain basic courses such as English, mathematics, foreign language and science.

• SAT Reasoning Test – Most four-year colleges use this test or ACT assessments to help determine admissions eligibility.

• SAT Subject Tests – A series of subject matter tests administered by the College Board used by highly selective colleges for admissions and/or course placement purposes. SAT Subject Tests are not required for the University of California;

however, the tests are recommended for certain selective majors (consult a counselor to identify majors). The California State University does not require these

tests.

Costs/Financial Aid

• Cal Grants – California financial aid program available to California college-bound students based on high school academic achievement or family financial need. Students should submit the Cal Grant Grade Verification Form as soon as it is available in their senior year.

• College Costs − The costs of attending college include tuition/registration fees, books/supplies, housing, transportation and personal expenses.

• Tuition/Registration Fees − Charges based on such factors as the number of units taken and the cost of supplies, equipment, parking and related fees.

• Financial Aid – Money available from colleges and universities, the federal and/or state government, and various community sources to help meet college expenses. Aid possibilities include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study

programs.

• Financial Aid Application – In California, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) is used to apply for most forms of need-based financial aid. The FAFSA is required to be considered for federal and state aid.

• Net Costs/Net Price Calculator – The real cost to students: cost of attendance minus the total grants and scholarships. All officially recognized colleges and universities have a net price calculator available on their website for both dependent

and independent students to estimate their net cost.

• Pell Grant – The federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-baccalaureate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Grant amounts are dependent on the student’s expected family contribution (EFC), the cost of attendance (as determined by the institution), the student’s enrollment status (full-time or part-time), and whether the student attends for a full academic year or less.

• Total Cost of Attendance (COA)/College Costs – The COA is the estimated full and reasonable cost of completing a full year as a full-time student. The COA is published by each educational institution and typically includes books and supplies, tuition and fees, room and board, and personal and transportation costs.

• Disabled Students Program and Services (DSPS) – Programs provided for

students with verified disabilities and whose functional limitations require

specialized services (e.g., counseling, mobility assistance, readers, interpreters, note

takers, tutoring and test-taking assistance). Otherwise known as Disability Resource

Centers (DRC) and Disabled Student Programs (DSP).

• Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) – University of California and

California State University programs that provide special admission and enrollment

support services for students who normally do not meet regular admission

requirements and are economically disadvantaged but who demonstrate the

potential to succeed with help. Emphasis is primarily on students who may not

have been able to attend college because of cultural, economic or educational

background. Similar programs are offered by many other colleges under different

names.

• Foster Youth Programs – Community college program designed to provide

quality education and support opportunities to caregivers of children and youth in

out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional,

behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth in the foster care

system.

• Honors Programs – A program of special courses for high academic achievers

often provided within the framework of general education. Programs may feature

workshops, seminars and small group discussion sessions.

• Internships/Co-ops – Provide students with opportunities to obtain credit

through a carefully monitored campus or community work experience related to

educational objectives.

• PUENTE – A program that provides academic and personal mentoring programs

for community college students and a college preparatory program for high school

students, with the goal of increasing the number of underrepresented students

enrolling and successfully completing college degree programs.

• Residence Halls (Dormitories) – Campus living facilities usually reserved for

unmarried students.