Terms and Definitions

Terms and Definitions

• C.E.E.B. Code: A unique identifier that College Board Assigns to schools, colleges, and universities

  • Northern Guilford C.E.E.B. Code: 341603

• Common Application (Common App): a single online college application form used by over 900 colleges and universities. Instead of filling out the same general information--like your address, GPA, etc.--a dozen times, you only have to do it once. 

• Cost of Attendance (COA): Estimated cost of tuition + fees+ supplies + more for attending a higher education institution.

• Deferred Admission: Can have multiple meanings--

  • If an early action/early decision student, the college can defer your acceptance period to regular admission to give time to strengthen an application

  • Colleges can accept you, but move your entrance term to the Spring, or the following Fall

  • You can be accepted and opt to defer your acceptance for a semester or year. This must be approved by the college. 

• Early Action: A college admission policy that allows application to apply and receive notice of their admission early. Applications accepted under early action are NOT under a binding agreement to attend that school, and may submit applications to other schools. 

• Early Decision: A college admission policy that allows applications who commit to attend a school to apply and receive notice of their admission early. If an application is accepted, he or she agrees to attend that school and must withdraw all other applications.

• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): All students must file the FAFSA to receive a need-based financial aid package. The FAFSA application will open October 1, 2025. 

• FSA ID: a username and password combination you use to log into U.S. Department of Education online systems. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn't be created or used by anyone other than you. 

• Grants: Federal and/or State money given without payback or interest responsibilities. Eligibility is determined upon completion of the FAFSA. 

• Loans: Money you borrow from the government, a bank, your college, or another source. Loans need o be paid back. You will most likely also have to pay interest on a loan-a fee for borrowing the money.

• Merit Aid/Merit Based Aid: Merit-based means that something is based on a student's skill or ability. For example, a merit-based scholarship might be awarded based on a student's high grades. 

• Need-Based Financial Aid: provides funds for students based on their level of financial need.

• Rolling Admission: Instead of waiting to review all application after a specific deadline, colleges with a rolling admission policy evaluate applications as they arrive. 

• Scholarships: Financial aid that does not have to be paid back. Scholarships may be awarded based on merit or partially on merit. They are local, institutional, state, and federal scholarships available. 

• Subsidized Loan: Federal loans for undergraduate students with financial need that accrue interest for the borrower while they are in college at least part-time. Loans must be repaid. 

• Unsubsidized Loan: Federal loans for students that be3ing accruing interest for the borrower while they are in college. Loans must be repaid.

• Work Study: On campus, or sometimes off-campus, jobs for students with financial need to earn money for college-related expenses.