PLANNING FOR COLLEGE!

Principles of Health Science

TERMS TO KNOW

College an institution that delivers education after high

school and grants Associate’s Degrees the general term used to define post-secondary

courses the term used to define a specialized area of

study within a university University

an institution of higher learning that grants degrees upon completion of academic requirements

composed of several colleges (i.e., college of nursing, college of business)

TERMS TO KNOW

Diploma a degree or certificate of completion of learning

requirements for an institution of higher learning College hours

the term used to denote the amount of credit a student receives upon successful completion of a class or course

a reference for how long a student will spend in the classroom each week

You are considered a “Full Time” student if you are taking 12 hours or more per week. Ex: If you are taking 12 hours of classes, that means

you are in the classroom 12 hours per week.

COURSE NUMBERS

You are a college freshman registering for classes under the nursing major. You are told to sign up for RNSG 1412. What does that mean? The first number indicates class level

1—introductory/freshman level 2—sophmore level 3—junior level 4—senior level/advanced

The second number tells you how many hours per week you will attend the class

The first two numbers are the most important Course numbers are assigned by the university so

there will be differences from one university to the next.

TERMS TO KNOW

Residency Where you live A determining factor in tuition fees for college

students For example: if you live in Texas and attend

college in Texas, your tuition will be much cheaper than if you live in Texas and attend college in another state.

Developmental classes remedial classes required for students who do not

meet the minimum requirements of knowledge in a subject

do not generate college hours that apply to a degree

TERMS TO KNOW

Financial aid money available to students to help pay for classes based on grades, need, financial status and other

criteria some restrictions may be dictated as to how the

money is used

Grants money that is not repaid to the lender.

Scholarships money awarded to students based on merit and

not repaid.

TERMS TO KNOW

Loans money that must be repaid to the lender. Payments may be deferred (delayed) until after

completion of the degree or certification. Interest rates may be lower than interest rates for

other purposes. Unsubsidized loan vs. subsidized loan

Subsidized - your loan does NOT collect interest until you graduate from college Granted by the federal government to economically

disadvantaged students Unsubsidized - your loan collects interest for the entire

length of the loan It costs MORE to have an unsubsidized loan

TERMS TO KNOW Instructors/professors

individuals hired to teach courses must meet the educational standards of the

institution to qualify to teach

Registration the process of selecting classes for a term depending on the institution, this may be done

manually, online, or by telephone

Course catalog contains information about what courses are being

offered in the university for a particular semester.

TERMS TO KNOW

Application form the form completed when applying to an

institution Most universities have you apply online now but

there will be additional paperwork to send in once you are accepted

THEA Texas Higher Education Assessment tests the reading, writing and mathematics skills

of students entering Texas public colleges and universities

required for all entering students

TERMS TO KNOW

Degree plan A degree plan tells you what classes you are

required to take to graduate with a particular degree.

Available seats how many students can attend a particular class

section

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?!

Decide what you would like to major in It’s okay if you change you mind later!

Visit college campuses, talk to counselors Decide where you want to go to college Fill out the application Fill out FAFSA for financial aid When accepted, plan your schedule and

register for classes

IMPORTANT WEBSITES

www.fastweb.com Scholarship information

www.fafsa.ed.gov Free Application for Federal Student Aid

www.applytexas.org Application to Texas public universities and

colleges