Terms and Abbreviations

There are many terms and abbreviation that are commonly used during the college research and application process. It is important that you understand what all these terms and abbreviations mean.

General Terms

Degree-An academic title conferred by universities and colleges as an indication of the completion of a course of study, or as an honorary recognition of achievement. This is what you are working toward during college. Once earned, no one can take it away.

Associate’s Degree-The degree granted by a 2-year college or university after the satisfactory completion of a two-year, full-time course of study (or its part-time equivalent).

Bachelor’s Degree-The degree granted by a 4-year college or university after the satisfactory completion of a four-year, full-time course of study (or its part-time equivalent).

Graduate - Obtained after the bachelor's degree, i.e., Masters or Doctorate. Can take anywhere from 1-7 years, depending on a number of factors.

Major-A subject or field of study chosen by a student to represent the student’s principal interest and upon which a large share of their efforts are concentrated. Students will also need to complete general requirements in order to earn a degree that vary from college to college.

Minor-A minor is designated as a specific number of credit hours in a secondary field of study. A minor typically compliments the major.

Liberal Arts-The academic course of instruction at a college intended to provide general knowledge and comprising the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, as opposed to professional or technical subjects.

An art is also a skill raised to a high level of competence. Liberal arts are composed of eight basic skills: reading, listening, writing, speaking, observing, measuring, calculating, and reasoning.

College-An institution of higher learning, especially one providing a general or liberal arts education rather than technical or professional training.

University-An institution of learning, having a college of liberal arts and a program of graduate studies together with several professional schools, such as theology, law, medicine, and engineering, and authorized to confer both undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Admission Terms

Regular Decision-Candidates are required to submit their applications (paper or electronically) by a specific deadline (usually beginning January 1st) and are notified of decisions in the spring. Decisions could be “Admit,” “Deny,” or “Wait-list.”

Rolling Admission-Institutions review and make decisions on application as application files are complete (accept, deny, or wait-list). Once informed, students typically do have to commit to a college prior to May 1st. Typically, when applying to a college with “Rolling Admission”, the earlier in the academic year you apply, the better.

Early Action (EA)-This is one way for an applicant to receive early notification of a college decision. EA deadline are usually November 1st, and a decision/notification is usually made prior to January 1st. Decisions could be “Admit,” “Deny,” or “Defer.” If “Deferred”, a student is put into the regular pool and his/her application is review a second time. If admitted, the decision is non-binding. In most cases, a student may apply to more than one college EA.

Early Decision (ED)-This is another option for early notification of a college decision. ED deadlines are usually November 1st, and a decision/notification is usually made prior to January 1st. Decisions could be “Admit,” “Deny,” or “Defer.” If “Deferred”, a student is put into the regular pool and his/her application is review a second time. If admitted, the decision is binding. Be cautious if you know you will be applying for financial aid. A student may only apply to one college ED.

Early Action Single Choice or Restrictive Early Action-The same non-binding policy as early action, but college policy dictates that a student may not apply to any other colleges EA or ED.

Early Decision II (ED II)-The same policies as ED, but the deadlines fall later in the academic year. Typically, ED II deadline begin January 1st. Students are typically notified mid-February.

Candidates Reply Date-May 1st is the universal date (except if a student is accepted ED) that an applicant has to commit to a college or university. Students need to send in a non-refundable deposit to reserve a space in the class. If any college requests a deposit prior to May 1st, it must be fully refundable until May 1st.

Wait List-Because colleges cannot predict the number of accepted students who will attend, a wait list is created. Students may be offered admission if a space becomes available. If wait-listed at a top choice, a student still should deposit at another college and should never assume he/she will get off the wait-list.

Common Application-A single application accepted by over 1000 colleges and universities. Some of the schools that accept the common app also require a school specific supplement. The application and all instructions on their website.

Coalition Application-The Coalition For College was founded by a group of dedicated college administrators in 2015 with the goal to improve the college application process for all students, particularly those from historically under-represented groups. The Coalition Application is another college application accepted by about 150 Colleges and Universities.

Financial Aid Terms

Cost of Attendance/Cost of College-What it costs to attend a specific college, including tuition & fees, room & board, books, transportation, personal expenses, and all other necessary expenses associated with going to that college.

FAFSA-The “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” is the form that all students who apply for financial aid must fill out. A family cannot submit the form until after January 1st.

CSS Profile-Another financial aid form often required in addition to the FAFSA by private colleges. This form was developed by the College Scholarship Service (CSS) of the College Board.

Student Aid Index (SAI)- Formally known as "Expected Family Contribution (EFC)". Based on information from the FAFSA, it is the number used by your colleges to calculate the among of aid you are eligible to receive. It is not necessarily the amount of money you will have to pay, nor is it the amount of federal aid you will receive. EFC is changed to the “Student Aid Index” in 2024.

MEFA-The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority, MEFA helps families plan and pay for college. Programs and services are designed especially for Massachusetts residents and students. Support during the financial aid process is provided free of charge.

Scholarship-A sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, special talent etc., to pursue his or her studies. Scholarship (or grant) money does not have to be paid back.

Loans-Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Loans from the Federal Government typically have lower interest rates than from private lenders.

Net Price Calculator-Net price calculators are available on a college’s or university’s website and allow prospective students to enter information about themselves to find out what students like them paid to attend the institution in the previous year, after taking grants and scholarship aid into account. To find Net Price Calculators, visit https://collegecost.ed.gov/net-price.