You must know your category and understand the college process. it can make a difference for Financial Aid and completing your College major.

1. What is my “category”? The category is based on whether you have attended college before:

2. Freshman: a student who never enrolled in a college class.

3. Transfer: a student moving from another college, usually with 30 transfer credits. Beforehand, you should check the college transfer policy - each one is different.

4. Transient: a student that takes a class at one college, while, at the same time studying at another college to accumulate credits which count for their majors.

5. Non-transitional: a student that is an adult learner - therefore not falling into that “freshman” category.

6. Former: a former college if you have attended the college as a student.

7. Special Admit:  a student with a college degree that is willing to pay out of his / her pocket. In this case, it is best to ask the College admission office.

8. Home School: a student who was schooled in a home or a non-traditional setting.

9. What are the requirements for Home School students? SAT or ACT. Furthermore, there are additional requirements at different schools – remember, each college is different; it is best to check with the admission office.

10. Dual Enrollment: a student who is taking classes at college and currently in high school.

11. Certificate of Acceptance  : A certificate that is given when a student completes twelve years of high school and didn’t receive a High School Diploma and didn’t pass the graduation test.

12. GED : General Education Diploma

13. International:  A student who is from another country.

14. Which transcripts are needed to enroll?  All transcripts that are from an accredited college, regardless if transfer credits have been accumulated. It’s best to check with the college concerned.  

15. What is Accreditation? Accreditation confirms that the college or institution meets certain academic standards, as defined by an accredited body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Schools must be accredited to be eligible to participate in federal student aid programs.

16. What is CLEP? CLEP allows a student to take an exam to get exempt from a particular class. Please check with the institution for the list of classes.

17. International Student:  A student who is from another country.

18. What is the Compass Test? A compass test determines which classes you are eligible to take.Which official transcripts are needed to enroll?  All transcripts that are from an accredited college, regardless if transfer credits have been accumulated. It’s best to check with the college.

19. What is a Southern Association College Of School (SACS)?  The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for the accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. It serves as the common denominator of shared values and practices among the diverse institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Latin America and other international sites approved by the commission on colleges that award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degrees. The Commission also accepts applications from other international institutions of higher education. The website can be found at www.sacs.org.

20. What is Regional Accreditation? In the United States, there are six regional accrediting agencies. Each agency covers a different section of the country. For example, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits schools that are located in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.) The other five agencies evaluate schools that are based in other states.

21.   When deciding on your college of choice it is very important to know the college accreditation.

22. The Regional accreditation agencies are:

• Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Higher Education)

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (Commission on Technical and Career Institutions and Commission on Institutions of Higher Education)

• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (The Higher Learning Commission)

• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Commission on Colleges)

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities) www.eleaners.com

 

  25 In order for a college transcript to accept the school,      accreditation is important

•  Why is Accreditation important: If a college is neither regionally nor nationally accredited, you cannot receive federal financial aid to attend that institution. (Note: accreditation is not the only factor that allows for Title IV or federal student assistance funds. Be sure to ask your admissions counselor whether or not his/her college is eligible.)The website can be found at www.elearners.com.

 

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