A policy in which a college’s admissions office sends out acceptance letters to students as they are accepted.

Financial assistance based on merit; do not require repayment.

An endorsement given to universities or academic degree programs by an organization that reviews qualifications.

A two-year degree from a community or junior college.

To attend a class without receiving credit for the class.

A four-year degree from a college, university or professional school; usually requires at least 120 credit hours.

Some private colleges have a religious affiliation. Students at these colleges often must attend chapel or religious classes of some kind.

Two-year college also known as junior college. You can either transfer your courses to a four-year university or receive an associate’s degree in a certain field.

Numbers assigned to specific classes.

Credit given for attending one lecture hour of class each week for 15 weeks or equivalent. Most college classes are three credit hours, meaning their total meeting time for a week is three hours.