What’s your College Knowledge? Below are frequent terms used in the college application process and found throughout the college literature you will review.

Alumna (p1. Alumnae)
Feminine graduate of a specific educational institution.

Alumnus (p1. Alumni)
Masculine graduate of a specific educational institution.

ACT
American College Testing Program - Tests required by some Southern and Midwestern colleges. There are four subject areas: English, Math, Social Studies and Natural Science. The scores are between 1 and 36; 18 is the median.

AP
Advanced Placement courses leading to exams in Spring for college credits. Monitored by CEEB.

ATP
American Testing Program - Basically the same as College Board or ETS or CEEB.

CAL GRANT
Money provided by the state of California to students who attend colleges in California and are qualified to receive aid. Cal Grants do not have to be paid back.

CEEB
College Entrance Examination Board.

CEEB Code #053112
Identifies St. Margaret’s School  for identification purposes.

Common Application
A standardized application form used by a consortium of colleges for admission.

CO-OP Program
College sponsored work/internship program.

CSS Profile
College Scholarship Service Profile financial aid form.

Early Action (Early notification)
System used by some top-level colleges. Applications must be submitted by November/December. Non-binding decision given by mid-December/early January.

Early Decision
System whereby a college notifies student of decision by mid-December/early January. Involves binding commitment on the part of the student.

ETS
Educational Testing Service.

FAFSA
Free Application For Federal Student Aid. The Federal Government’s application form which determines initial financial aid eligibility for those requesting Federal assistance.

GPA
Grade Point Average.

Greek System
Fraternities and Sororities (using Greek letters).

LD
Learning Disabled or Learning Disability. This covers a broad spectrum of educational handicaps including dyslexia and discalcula.

Liberal Arts/Arts & Sciences
This term covers a broad range of academic subjects usually related to the humanities or social sciences.

Pell Grant
Formerly BEOG - Federal grant for undergraduate education.

Perkins Loan
Formerly National Direct Student Loan - low interest loan to students

PLUS
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students - non-income based loan to parents for college.

PSAT/NMSQT
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test - given in October of sophomore and junior years - helpful tool in early evaluation of student’s college desirability.

Rolling Admissions
Almost immediate notification of admissions decision once application is deemed complete by the college.

ROTC
Reserve Officer Training Corps - military training on some college campuses; can be financially helpful

SAT I
Scholastic Assessment Test given by the College Board.

SAT II
Formally the Achievement Test of the College Board – 14 subjects, not required by all colleges.

Stafford Loan
The former Guaranteed Student Loan – low interest loans to students.

School Code Number/CEEB Code#
St. Margaret’s high school ID Code: 053-112

TOEFL
Test of English as Foreign Language, given by the College Board.

TSWE
Test of Standard Written English, part of the SAT test.

Work Study/Study Program
Part of financial aid package at most colleges - the college financial aid office arranges local jobs.