Definitions and Acronyms
AA – Associate of Arts Degree (from a 2-year community college)
AS - Associate of Science degree (from a 2-year community college)
ACT - American College Testing (a commonly-used test for college admission)
ASPIRE – Access to Student assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone
BA – Bachelor of Arts degree (from a 4-year college)
BS – Bachelor of Science degree (from a 4-year college)
CGO – College Goal Oregon (FAFSA Plus): www.collegegoaloregon.org
CIS – Career Information Systems Occupational and educational information. Career guidance and employee development services. Career planning and career transition.
College Board – Organization that administers PSAT, SAT, NMSQT, etc. www.collegeboard.org
COA – Cost of Attendance (at a college)
Common Application – A college application used by 700 colleges: www.commonapp.org
Early Action – Apply to find out early if you are admitted to a college or university; not binding on the student
Early Decision – An early processing of the application but also requires a commitment to enroll
EFC – Expected Family Contribution. Determines whether a student is eligible for federal aid
ECMC – Educational Credit Management Corporation: www.ecmc.org. Resources regarding student loans
FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FSEOG – Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Gap Year - Taking a year off after high school before entering college. Students who take a gap year may travel, work, take classes, relax, or use opportunities to experience the world before going to college
GEAR UP – Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs: www.oregongearup.org. Works with middle schools and high schools to create a college-going culture
GED – General Educational Development tests
Provides the equivalent of a high school diploma when all 4 tests are passed
IB – International Baccalaureate: www.ibo.org. Two-year advanced curriculum offered by some high schools
MA - Master of Arts Degree
MBA - Master of Business Administration
MFA - Master of Fine Arts
MLS - Master of Library Science
MS - Master of Science Degree
MPN – Master Promissory Note Signed by student or parent for a federal loan
NPC – Net Price Calculator. Found on every college website. Estimates how much it cost to attend the college.
OAKS – Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills: www.oaksportal.org
ORSAA – Oregon State Aid Application (alternative to FAFSA for undocumented students)
OSAC – Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion: www.OregonStudentAid.gov. Administers state, federal, and private grants and foundations. Partners with more than 500 organizations
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy (applies to doctoral degrees in many fields of study, not just philosophy)
PSAT/NMSQT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The purpose of the PSAT/NMSQT is to practice for the SAT and to qualify, if your score is high enough, for a National Merit Scholarship.
SAT: Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (generally taken in the junior year of high school; this test is also the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarships)
SAR – Student Aid Report from the FAFSA
SAP – Satisfactory Academic Progress: The standard a student must meet to keep getting federal financial aid
SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test (a commonly-used test for college admission)
W-2 – A tax form that states how much an employee earned from his/her employer in a year