Conversion scholarship/loan Requires recipients to provide certain services or pay back the funds received with interest.

Core classes A set of subjects or courses that make up a required portion of a curriculum.

Cost of attendance The total cost of attending a particular college for one year. It includes direct costs (tuition, fees, food and housing) and indirect costs (books, supplies, transportation, personal expenses, etc.).

Credit by examination Process in which students can earn credit for college-level knowledge by passing a test. The CLEP, AP, DANTES (military) and other programs allow students to earn college credit this way.

Admissions counselor: A college or university employee who advises students during the admissions process.

School counselor: Someone who works in elementary, middle and high schools to provide academic, career, college access and personal/social support to K-12 students.

Financial aid counselor: A college or university employee who is involved in the administration of financial aid.

KHEAA Outreach counselor: A KHEAA staff member who helps students and families plan and prepare for education after high school. KHEAA services are free.

Kentucky College Coach: Some schools have an AmeriCorps member placed in public high schools and Area Technology Centers across the state to mentor students as they transition from high school to college.

Coordinator: Specialized school-based professional who removes non-academic barriers to learning by connecting students and their families with essential health, social, and educational resources Credit for life experience Process in which students receive credit for college-level knowledge gained through life experience.

Credit for life experience Process in which students receive credit for college-level knowledge gained through life experience.

Credit hour or clock hour Unit of measurement for an educational program. While most community colleges and four-year colleges and universities use credit hours, many proprietary schools use clock hours.

Cumulative GPA The average of all grades earned in a student's academic career, from the beginning of their studies to the present time.

Dependency override Authority given to financial aid administrators to change a student's status from dependent to independent in cases involving unusual circumstances.

Diploma Given in a nondegree program, usually a vocational or technical field, to prepare for a job. Diploma programs are generally 9 to 18 months long. This diploma is not the same as the diploma you receive when you graduate from high school.

Direct Data Exchange Data sharing process which authorizes a direct exchange with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to facilitate completing the FAFSA form.

Direct PLUS Loan A loan provided to parents or stepparents of eligible dependent undergraduate students or to graduate/professional students who need additional financial aid to pay college expenses.

Doctorate A degree that usually takes three or more years after a bachelor's to complete.

Dual credit program Program in which courses satisfy high school graduation requirements and earn college credit hours.

Dual enrollment A student enrolled in two distinct academic programs or educational institutions concurrently.

Early action Lets students apply to their preferred school and receive a decision before the normal response date.

Early decision Requires students to make a commitment to enroll in a school if they're admitted. Students must withdraw all other applications and make a nonrefundable deposit. One disadvantage to early decision is that it may mean students have less leverage if they appeal their financial aid package.

Entrance counseling Ensures students understand the terms and conditions of their loans and know their rights and responsibilities.

Scholarly Sources