Pell Grant – the primary source of need-based Federal financial aid to which additional federal and state grants other forms of government aid may be added. Pell grants are typically awarded to students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. The maximum Pell grant award for 2008/2009 is $ 4731.00 but the amount varies based upon your financial need, the cost of your selected college, full or part-time student status and number of semesters you will attend in the upcoming year.
Perkins Loan - a low-interest Federal loan in which the institution is the lender and shares funding responsibility with the federal government(Both undergraduate and graduate students with financial need are eligible for the Perkins Loan and the loan must be repaid to the institution when the student graduates or is no longer enrolled as a student.)
Placement Tests - examinations used by institutions to determine the level of coursework for which a student is prepared and in which she/he is eligible to be enrolled (For example, such examinations may be used for placement in foreign language or mathematics courses or to determine if a student’s level of competency warrants exemption from taking a course that is required for graduation.)
PLAN Test- is usually taken in your sophomore year to prepare for the ACT test. See full article on the PLAN test
PLUS Loan - the Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) that allows parents (regardless of income) to borrow up to the total cost of education minus the amount of any other financial aid awarded by the institution or the government
Post-Graduate Degrees – are earned beyond the Bachelor's degree by completing Graduate school curriculum requirements. Common Examples include the MBA (Master degree in Business Administration, JD (Juris Doctor), MD (Medical Doctor), etc...
Private Institution - a college or university that is funded by private sources without any control by a government agency (The cost of attending a private school is, generally, higher than the cost at a public institution.)
Private Organization Scholarships - number in the millions. Place of worships, labor unions, school districts, chambers of commerce and philanthropic organizations are all excellent sources for college scholarships. Sit down with your family and make a “scholarship search list”, you will be amazed at the sources right in your own backyard.
Prospective Student - any student who is a potential applicant for admission… particularly those who have shown interest in attending the institution or in which the institution has shown interest
PSAT test – prepares students for the SAT and is used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Semi-finals and other academic awards. See full article on the PSAT/NMSQT
Public Institution - a college or university that receives public funding—primarily from a local, state, or national government that oversees and regulates the school’s operations.
Recommendations - statements or letters of endorsement written on a student’s behalf during the college admission process.
Religion-Based Institution - colleges and universities established by and currently operating under the auspices, principles, or guidelines of a church, synagogue, or mosque; a denomination; or a particular religion
Residence Halls - dormitories, apartments, houses, and other living quarters provided for students by the college or university in which they are enrolled
Rolling Admission - a practice used by some institutions to review applications as they arrive and the applicant’s admission file is completed, rather than according to a set deadline