Scholarly Sources
GLOSSARY
A
Accreditation Approval of a school or program by a federally recognized agency that has determined that standards have been met.
ACT The test required or accepted at all public and many private universities in Kentucky. It has four sections — English, math, reading and science reasoning — and an optional writing exam. Scores are used for admissions purposes, awarding scholarships and placing students in special programs and honors courses.
ACT College Readiness Standards A guide that helps teachers, counselors, parents and students understand their progress in gaining the necessary skills in English, mathematics, reading and science that are needed for success beyond high school.
Aid offer Sometimes called an aid notification or award letter, tells you what financial aid you can receive at a particular college or career school.
AP The Advanced Placement Program lets high school students study college-level subjects for advanced placement and/or credit upon entering college.
Apprenticeship A system for training a new generation of tradespeople with on-the-job experience and study.
Associate’s degree Generally awarded after 60 credit hours, usually two years of study.
ASVAB (The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Used by all branches of the military to determine how qualified you are to enlist, as well as your qualification for certain military jobs and your signing bonus.
B
Bachelor's degree Generally awarded after a minimum of 120 credit hours, usually four to five years of study.
Benchmarks“Must have”competencies in English language arts and mathematics for success in college.
Bursar The person or office at a college or university that handles student payments such as tuition.
C
Cambridge Advanced International (CAI) Certificate of Education An international diploma that students can earn by completing the CAI program. It is similar to the AP and IB programs. Candidates Reply Date Agreement Lets a student defer an attendance decision at participating colleges until May 1. It gives students time to get responses from the colleges they have applied to before deciding which one they want to attend.
Candidates Reply Date Agreement Lets a student defer an attendance decision at participating colleges until May 1. It gives students time to get responses from the colleges they have applied to before deciding which one they want to attend.
Career clusters Groups of related occupations and careers. This gives schools a guide for relating learning to the knowledge and skills required for groups of careers.
Certificate (1) Given in a nondegree program, usually in a vocational or technical area, to prepare for a specific occupation. Certificate programs generally last 6 to 12 months. (2) Given in specialized areas to people who have completed master's, doctorate or professional degrees.
CLEP The College-Level Examination Program offers subject examinations or general examinations. Some colleges use the scores to award credit by examination to entering freshmen.
Commuter students Students who live at home instead of on campus.
Common App An undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to a number of member colleges and universities.
Contributor Anyone (such as a parent, stepparent, or spouse) who is required to provide financial information and consent for a student's aid application.
Are you ready?
Kentucky college readiness standards are based on Reading and Writing, Math scores Benchmarks Reading & Writing Math 480 530
Benchmarks Reading & Writing 480 Math 530
on the SAT. If you don't meet the benchmark in one of these areas, your college may ask you to take an entrance exam to determine how to place you in classes and if you will need transitional courses.
NOTE: National SAT College Readiness Standards are currently higher than Kentucky's requirements. National benchmarks are: Reading and Writing, 480; Math, 530. Be sure to check with the college you plan to attend to make sure your scores meet their standards.