October 29 - November 2, 2012

Michigan C ollege Application Week
WHAT’S IN A NAME? UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “COLLEGE”
College is important – there’s no doubt about it. At least 62 percent of all new jobs in Michigan will require a college education by 2018, and Michigan needs tens of thousands more college graduates to build our economy 1 . But what does that mean for our students?
Most workforce developers and education leaders use the word “college” to include any type of postsecondary education or education and training beyond high school. That means students have many options when it comes to attending college. But it also means a high school diploma is no longer enough.
On average, four-year college graduates earn more than double the salary of individuals who stopped their education after high school.
2 And students who complete some form of postsecondary education are far less likely to be unemployed than those with just a high school diploma.
Every Michigan student should plan to complete some type of education beyond high school. The good news is Michigan’s colleges and universities offer a wide variety of education options to fit the unique needs of all of our state’s students. Options include:

Certificate or Licensing Programs: Certificate and licensing programs are specialized plans of study that are usually intended for students planning to pursue a trade. Most of these programs can be completed in a matter of months, and Michigan’s public community and technical colleges offer several certificate and licensing programs throughout the year. Additionally, some employers and/or trade groups offer such programs.
 Associate’s Degrees: Associate’s degrees are typically awarded to students who complete a twoyear period of study at a college. These degrees are often required for technical fields, but students can also pursue two-year degrees in business or other professional careers. Students can earn an associate’s degree at any of Michigan’s public community and technical colleges — and associate’s degree students are often eligible for many financial aid programs.
 Bachelor’s Degrees: Bachelor’s degrees (or baccalaureate degrees) are typically awarded to students who complete a four-year period of study at a college or university. Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree take classes in their career field and in general education subject areas.
Bachelor’s degree students also often qualify for state and federal financial aid programs.
1 According to data from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.
2 According to data from the College Board’s 2010 “Education Pays” report.
2

Michigan C ollege Application Week
We intend for these documents to be a useful guide for seniors when preparing and completing college applications. This Resource Manual is available online at www.micollegeaccess.org/events/collegeapplication-week for you to download and print.
College Application Checklist
Student Interest Survey
Frequently Asked Questions about Independent and Public Colleges
Application Personal Statement and Essay
MI College Average Requirements
Trade & Vocational School Information
Military School Worksheet
College Glossary
15
16
18
19
4
11
12
14
3

Michigan C ollege Application Week
-

Create a Michigan College Access Portal Account at www.michigancap.org
if you have not already done so.

Update your MichiganCAP Profile o Hover your mouse over “Portfolio/EDP” then click on “Profile” – Review the information in your student profile and make sure all the data is up-to-date. Repeat this process after clicking on “Academics and Scores.” By checking this information first, o your application process will be easier and take less time.
 Explore Postsecondary Schools
Check out colleges and universities by hovering over Colleges and select College
Search . The College Search feature will help you choose which postsecondary schools best meet your needs. There are several different characteristics you can choose from including Academics & Scores, Size & Environment, Sports & Activities, Cost of
Attendance, and Majors. Once you have selected the options that best meet your needs, you may view a list of matching schools.

Save your Favorite Schools o When you are exploring schools, you can save your favorites by selecting Add to My
College List using the green plus sign to the left of the college name. This way, when you log into your MichiganCAP account, you are linked to this school directly from your o profile.
 Find out the Application Deadline(s)
While you are researching colleges, find out what deadlines, if any, campuses have for applications. This information can be found in the College Profile under Calendar &
Deadlines. Some schools will not accept applications after a certain date, so if you have a o favorite school, make sure to find out early in your search the application schedule.
 Identify Application Fee(s)
Many colleges require an application fee when you submit an online application. You can find this information in the Michigan Postsecondary Handbook
( http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mistudentaid/PostSecondaryHandbook_317266_7.
pdf ). Unless you have a fee waiver from your school counselor, you need to be prepared to enter a credit/debit card number or mail a check once you complete your online application. If you think you may be eligible for an application fee waiver contact your o high school counselor.

What if you are required to submit an admission essay or personal statement?
Make sure you write your essay before the event! You can save your essay(s) to your
MichiganCAP profile. Or bring your essay(s) with you preloaded on a disc or flash/jump drive you can use to copy and paste into your online application. Make sure you have a hard-copy as well for back-up. You will be able to upload your essay file or copy and o paste it during the online application session.
 Read the Introduction and Instructions Page on the Online Application.
Take your time and read this information carefully. Every college has different requirements and instructions for applicants. The introduction page will offer helpful
4

Michigan C ollege Application Week hints to guide you through the process specific to each college and keep you informed every step of the way.
Below is a list of information you will likely need in order to complete your online college application(s).
Bring this completed worksheet with you when you are ready to apply. Note that not all college applications require the same information.
NAME:
________________________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND & RESIDENCY INFORMATION
1. Current Mailing Address and
County of Residence
If your mailing address is a Post Office Box, you will also need a physical street address.
2. Social Security Number
3. Place of Birth
City
State
Country
4. Are you a U.S. citizen? (Yes/No)
5. If you are not a U.S. citizen, enter your INS SEVIS, if you have one, as well as the following information
(if applicable):
Permanent Resident Number
Visa Type
Non-Immigrant Visa Number and Expiration
If you are an international student, have you taken the
TOEFL? Date? Score?
6. Date you moved to Michigan
This may be your birth date
7. Driver’s License Number and Date Issued
8. Dates and locations of places you have lived outside of Michigan in the past five years.
Dates: Location:
Dates: Location:
Dates: Location:
5

Michigan C ollege Application Week
FAMILY INFORMATION
9. Are you eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits?
10. Are you active duty military or a military dependent?
If yes, duty station and home of record
11. Are you a military dependent?
If yes, expiration date of military ID card and sponsor’s duty station
Note: If you have a legal guardian, answer the questions in #12 for that person and fill in the following information requested on the right side.
12. Place and Date of Guardian Appointment
City and County
State and County
First Designated Next of Kin/Relationship
Second Designated Next of Kin/ Relationship
13. Are your mother and father living?
14. Parents’ First, Middle, and Last Names
15. Is your father a U.S. citizen?
If not, country of origin?
16. Is your mother a U.S. citizen?
If not, country of origin?
17. Home address of mother and father, if different from yours
18. Dates your parents have been living at the home address
19. Mother’s Employment Information
Occupation
Employer
Address
Dates Employed
Hours per Week
Work Telephone
6

Michigan C ollege Application Week
FAMILY INFORMATION
20. Father’s Employment Information
Occupation
Employer
Address
Dates Employed
Hours per Week
Work Telephone
21. Mother’s Educational Background with College
Attended, if applicable
22. Father’s Educational Background with College Attended, if applicable
23. Parents’ Marital Status
24. Custody Status – Please select.
If parents are separated or divorced
Joint custody – Mother and Father
Sole custody – Mother or Father
Other:
25. Emergency Contact Information
(other than parent(s) or guardian)
Name
Address
Home Phone
Work Phone
Family Physician
Physician Phone
26. List any siblings by name and age with any colleges attended including dates.
Name Age College Dates
27. Names and relationship of any relatives who attended institutions to which you may apply.
Name Relationship College Dates
7

Michigan C ollege Application Week
COLLEGE APPLICATION & MISCELLENEOUS INFORMATION
28. To what other colleges have you applied or do you plan to apply?
Name(s) Location(s)
29. Intended Program(s) or Major(s)
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
30. High School Name
High School’s 6-digit code
Mailing Address
City
County
State
Country
31. Date of Entry
32. Graduation Date
33. Course of Study (i.e., college tech prep, etc.)
34. School Counselor Name
Phone Number
Fax Number
Note: Be able to provide the information requested in #30 for other high schools you may have attended.
8

Michigan C ollege Application Week
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
35. List the courses you are taking during senior year. Please indicate any that are Honors, AP, or IB.
Fall Semester Spring Semester
Other (Summer School, Online, etc.)
36. List any college you have attended with address and dates or courses for which you expect to receive college credit or have received college credit.
37. College Entrance Tests Dates and Scores: (if applicable)
Test Date Score(s)
PSAT
ACT
SAT
SAT Subject Test(s)
COMPASS
ACCUPLACER/CPT
ASSET
9

Michigan C ollege Application Week
EXTRACURRICULAR, HONORS, and EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
38. Extracurricular Activities:
List in order of importance with dates, positions held, honors, and awards.
39. Academic Honors/Awards:
List these with names and dates.
(i.e., National Honor Society, 2009
Algebra II Award, 2008)
40. Employment Information:
List any jobs, internships, and volunteer positions with dates, places, hours per week, and a brief description of responsibilities.
41. You may be asked to answer the following questions and provide an explanation for any to which you respond
“yes.” Also be aware you may need to provide additional information at a later date.
Have you been convicted of a crime?
Have you entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere , or an Alfred plea; or have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued for a criminal crime?
Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime?
Do you have any criminal charges pending against you?
Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, or otherwise subject to any disciplinary sanction by any school, college, or university?
If you have ever served in the military, did you receive any type of discharge other than an honorable discharge?
42. During any school year, have you been out of school for reasons other than routine vacations, disability-related reasons, or school-related activities?
43. Has it been 3 months or more since you graduated, or since you have been enrolled in school?
10

Michigan C ollege Application Week
The following forms can be given to seniors to determine which schools they are interested in and whether they meet the minimum requirements.
They are optional.
Application Request: Select schools to which you would like to apply. Using the chart included and your own GPA and ACT score select:
Two Schools you will
get into:
1.
__________________________________________________
2.
__________________________________________________
Two schools that you
their admission averages:
1.
___________________________________________________
2.
___________________________________________________
Two schools whose averages are
than your own:
1.
___________________________________________________
2.
___________________________________________________
If you wish to acquire a specialized trade/certificate (cosmetology, Barber, construction, massage therapy) List the program you are interested in below:
______________________________________________________________________________
Are you interested in the Military (Circle response)?
If Yes, Which Branch:
YES NO
___________________________________________________________________
Have you already applied to
ONE college? If so which one(s)?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
11

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Applications for Independent and Public Colleges and Universities include more questions and fields than other college applications. The following information includes frequently asked questions your seniors may have.
Enrollment Information
What is my entering term and year?
Most students will select the Fall semester following senior year; however, choose the summer option if you intend to attend summer school prior to Fall enrollment.
What is my entrance status? The following are definitions for each status.
Freshman: This will be the first college in which you enroll after graduating high school. Check this even if you have advanced placement (AP) credit, or dual enrollment, or have earned college credit in high school.
Transfer: If you are graduating high school in 2013 and going directly to college, you are not a transfer student even if you have college credit.
Non Degree: You want to take college course(s) but are not seeking a degree.
What is my desired major?
Under First Choice, you can choose your first choice of majors. You may select “Undecided.” Please note that you can change your major during your college program.
Address
Can I list a Post Office Box?
You will need to also include a physical address if you use a Post Office
Box for your mailing address. Make sure this information is correct. The date the address became your permanent mailing address is the month and year you moved to this location which may even be your date of birth.
Personal Information
What types of personal information will I need to provide? Social Security Number: Enter your nine digit social security number. This information is not required, but preferred.
College Information
What should I list for current college courses in progress or planned, including the term (to be) taken, course subject and number (example: BIO 1001), credit hours, and college/university? You will want to list dual enrollment courses; however, do not list AP courses.
Family Information
What family information am I required to submit? You will may to answer the following question: Are your father and/or mother living? Also, Legal Guardian Information is the same information requested for father and mother and Emergency Contact Information is required if it is other than parent or guardian.
Activities and Interests
Do I have to list all my activities and interests for each college application? Some colleges and universities may ask this question but it is not required. Be prepared to answer the question by completing your MichiganCAP account.
12

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Campus Specific Information
What additional information will I need to include for each college application? This information varies by educational institution. You can find more information on www.MichiganCAP.org
or the institution’s website.
Miscellaneous Information
What types of questions will I be asked about my past criminal activity?
You may be asked the following questions regarding past criminal activity and may be asked to explain the circumstances. Note that some institutions may request further information at a later date.
1.
Have you been convicted of a crime? (Yes or No)
2.
Have you entered a plea of guilty, a plea of no contest, a plea of nolo contendere, or an Alford plea, or have you received a deferred prosecution or prayer for judgment continued, to a criminal charge? (Yes or No)
3.
Have you otherwise accepted responsibility for the commission of a crime? (Yes or No)
4.
Do you have any criminal charges pending against you? (Yes or No)
5.
Have you ever been expelled, dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, or otherwise subject to any disciplinary sanction by any school, college, or university? (Yes or No)
6.
If you have ever served in the military, did you receive any type of discharge other than an honorable discharge? (Yes, No, Currently Serving, or Never Served)
13

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Application Personal Statement and Essay
When you apply to college, you’ll need to complete an essay as part of your application.
This is your opportunity to show admission officers who you are and to provide information about yourself that didn’t fit in other areas of your application. The essay also reveals what you can do when you have time to think and work on a writing project
Choose a Topic That Will Highlight You
Don’t focus on the great aspects of a particular college, the amount of dedication it takes to be a doctor or the number of extracurricular activities you took part in during high school.
Do share your personal story and thoughts, take a creative approach and highlight areas that aren’t covered in other parts of the application, like your high school records.
Keep Your Focus Narrow and Personal
Don’t try to cover too many topics. This will make the essay sound like a résumé that doesn’t provide any details about you.
Do focus on one aspect of yourself so the readers can learn more about who you are. Remember that the readers must be able to find your main idea and follow it from beginning to end. Ask a parent or teacher to read just your introduction and tell you what he or she thinks your essay is about.
Show, Don’t Tell
Don’t simply state a fact to get an idea across, such as “I like to surround myself with people with a variety of backgrounds and interests.”
Do include specific details, examples, reasons and so on to develop your ideas. For the example above, describe a situation when you were surrounded by various types of people. What were you doing? Whom did you talk with? What did you take away from the experience?
Use Your Own Voice
Don’t rely on phrases or ideas that people have used many times before. These could include statements like, “There is so much suffering in the world that I feel I have to help people.” Avoid overly formal or business-like language, and don’t use unnecessary words.
Do write in your own voice. For the above example, you could write about a real experience that you had and how it made you feel you had to take action. And note that admission officers will be able to tell if your essay was edited by an adult.
Ask a Teacher or Parent to Proofread
Don’t turn your essay in without proofreading it, and don’t rely only on your computer’s spell check to catch mistakes. A spell-check program will miss typos like these:

"After I graduate form high school, I plan to get a summer job."
 "From that day on, Daniel was my best fried ."
Do ask a teacher or parent to proofread your essay to catch mistakes. You should also ask the person who proofreads your essay if the writing sounds like you.
*Adapted from The College Application Essay by Sarah Myers McGinty.
14

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Approximate GPA: ___________________ ACT Score: _____________
GPA & ACT Averages of college freshman class based on information found on institutions’ websites & michigancap.org
*Open
Admissions
2.5-2.8
16-19
2.8-3.2
18-22
3.3-3.5
21-25
3.5-3.8
23-29
3.8-4.0
29-36
Community Colleges
No minimum GPA &
ACT requirements.

Alpena CC

Baker College

Bay College

Delta College

Glen Oaks CC

Gogebic CC

Grand Rapids CC

Henry Ford CC

Jackson CC

Kalamazoo
Valley CC

Kellogg CC

Kirtland CC

Lake Michigan
College

Lansing CC

Macomb CC

Mid-Michigan CC

Monroe County CC

Mott CC

Muskegon CC

North Central
Michigan College

Northwestern
Michigan College

Oakland CC

Schoolcraft College

Southwestern
Michigan College

St. Clair
County CC

Washtenaw CC

Wayne County CC

West Shore CC
15

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Trade schools, or vocational schools, offer programs that focus on providing graduates with the job-specific skills needed for their chosen career path. Rather than requiring students to study a diverse curriculum made up of different subjects, trade schools emphasize only those fields that are relevant to the student’s future profession.
International
Academy of
Design &
Technology
The Art Institute of Michigan
Kaplan Career
Institute
Detroit
Novi, Troy
Everest Institute Dearborn, Detroit, Grand
Rapids, Kalamazoo,
Southfield
Sanford-Brown Dearborn, Grand Rapids
Dearborn, Detroit
Michigan
Institute of
Aviation and
Technology
Stautzenberger
Institute
Detroit
Allen Park
South University Novi
Ross Medical
Education Center
Ann Arbor, Brighton,
Davison, Flint, Grand
Rapids, Lansing, Madison
Heights, New Baltimore,
Port Huron, Portage,
Redford, Roosevelt,
Saginaw
Southfield Northwestern
Technological
Institute
Career Quest
Learning Centers
Jackson, Kalamazoo,
Lansing
ITT Technical
Institute
Canton, Dearborn, Grand
Rapids, Swartz Creek,
Troy
Dorsey Schools Farmington Hills, Madison
Heights, Roseville,
Saginaw, Southgate,
Waterford-Pontiac,
Wayne-Westland http://www.iadt.edu/Detroit http://www.artinstitutes.edu/detroit/ http://www.everest.edu/programs/complete_list/state/MI http://www.sanfordbrown.edu/ http://www.kaplancareerinstitute.com/Pages/Microportal
Home.aspx
http://www.miat.edu/ http://www.sitoday.net/allenpark/ http://www.southuniversity.edu/novi.aspx
http://www.rossmedicaleducation.com/ http://www.northwesterntech.edu/ http://www.cqlc.edu/ http://www2.itt-tech.edu/campus/ http://www.dorsey.edu/
16

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Accounting
Aviation
Mechanic
Business
Management
Administrative
Assistant
Baking & Pastry
Animal Care Animation
CADD
Business
Cardiovascular
Technology
Business
Administration
Communication
Studies
Computer Security Computer Support Computer
Technician
Computer
Repair
Construction &
Building
Construction
Management
Culinary Arts Culinary
Management
Dialysis
Technician
Digital Media &
Design
Counselor Training
Dental Assistant
Digital Photography
Criminal
Investigations
Design
Electrician
Environmental
Technology
Fitness and
Nutrition
Health
Information
Legal Office
Administration
Medical
Assistant
Motion
Graphics
Office
Administrator
Phlebotomy
Environmental
Training
Flight Schools
Health Services
Administration
Technology
Interior Design Internet Design &
Web Development
LPN
Medical Information
Management
Music Production &
Recording Arts
Paralegal
Fashion Buying
Graphic Design
Help Desk
Internet Marketing
Marketing
Medical Insurance,
Coding & Billing
Networking and
System
Administration
Patient Care
Technician
Legal
Massage
Therapy
Medical Office
Administration
Nursing
Audio Production
Business & Computer
Technology
Computer Programming
Computer Information
Technology
Criminal Justice
Diagnostic Medical
Sonogram
Engineering
Fashion Design Fashion Marketing &
Merchandising
Health Care
Aide
HVAC
Health Care
Management
Information Systems
Legal Assistant
Master of Business
Administration
Medical Office
Specialist
Nursing Assistant
Personal Trainer Pharmacy
Renewable
Energy
Technology
Management
Video Game
Design
Photography Project Management Psychology Radio/Television
Broadcast
Secretary Training Social Sciences Software Technology Retail
Merchandising &
Management
Telecommunications Television
Production
Video Production Visual
Communications
Ultrasound
Technician
Web Design
Veterinary Technician
Wind Energy
17

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Go to military.com and click on the GI Bill to answer these questions
1.
Under the new Post- 9/11 GI Bill, how much of your college education will the government pay if you serve….. a.
36 months? _________ b.
30 months? _________ c.
12 months? _________
2.
If eligible for full benefits, Name 5 things that will be paid for (and maximum amount paid when applicable) a.
________________________________________________________________ b.
________________________________________________________________ c.
_________________________________________________________________ d.
__________________________________________________________________ e.
__________________________________________________________________
3.
What is the Yellow Ribbon program?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4.
What criteria do you have to meet in order to qualify for the Yellow Ribbon program?
_______________________________________________________________________
click on Professional exams choose ASVAB under military
(Close any popups)
Take the practice exam. Remember if you want to see what the answer was, click on view answer.
18

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Accreditation: Official recognition that a college, university or technical institution has met the standards of a regional or national association.
Adult Learner: A student who has returned to college after an extended period outside of the education system. Adult learners are sometimes referred to as “nontraditional students;” however, the term is misleading, because adult learners make up a significant portion of the college student population and are therefore an expected and integral part of the campus culture.
Advanced Placement Program (AP®): Gives high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Thousands of colleges and universities worldwide award credit or advanced placement to students with a qualifying score on AP Exams.
American Opportunity Credit: Temporary tax credit for tax years 2009 and 2010 created by federal stimulus legislation which replaced the Hope Credit for most taxpayers. The Tax Relief,
Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 extends the American
Opportunity Tax Credit for two additional years until Dec. 31, 2012. The American Opportunity
Credit is more generous than the Hope Credit and is partially refundable (up to $1,000). The credit, worth up to $2,500 per student in 2010, can be claimed for 100% of the first $2,000 in qualified higher education expenses and 25% of the next $2,000 in college costs. Modified adjusted gross income (AGI) for married couples filing jointly can be as high as $180,000 ($90,000 for single filers) before losing the benefit of this credit. The student must also be enrolled at least half-time, be pursuing an undergraduate degree or other recognized academic credential, and is only available for the first four years of postsecondary education.
Associate Degree: Awarded by a college or university after satisfactory completion of a two-year program of study.
Audit: An evaluation of a student’s prior coursework conducted to determine whether or not the student can count this work toward completion of his or her degree. Transfer students or adults who previously attended college but did not finish may want to request an audit. Speak with an admissions counselor to learn more about these options.
Bachelor Degree: Awarded by a four-year college or university after satisfactory completion of a program of study
Certificate Program: A specialized, usually short–term, program of study during which a student completes training and receives a certificate.
Co-Curricular Activities: Activities a student participates in beyond those required as part of the regular school day; examples include: volunteer programs, sports, school clubs, faith–based groups, and part–time jobs. Many colleges and scholarship programs consider a student’s co–curricular activities in evaluating students for their program. Co-Curricular is also referred to as “extracurricular.”
19

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Glossary cont.
Colleges: All of the following postsecondary institutions: four–year colleges and universities; two– year community and junior colleges; and vocational, technical, and business schools.
College Access: Efforts of non–profit groups to increase the college enrollment of all students by providing support and information about college preparation, paying for college, career selection, financial resources, etc. Some college access initiatives focus on student groups that are underrepresented in postsecondary education, such as students from certain ethnic groups, students who are the first persons in their families to attend college, and low–income students.
College Day/GEAR UP (GU/CD): GEAR UP stands for “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs.” This U.S. Department of Education program was merged with the state of Michigan College Day Program in July 2006. The combined program provides academic services for underrepresented students with the goal of increasing their preparedness and entrance into postsecondary education.
College Goal Sunday: A day when students and parents can visit local colleges or universities and get help filling out financial aid forms. To find out more about College Goal Sunday, go to www.micollegegoal.org.
College Positive Mindset: The belief that college is attainable for all students and that you are willing to do whatever you can to help those students prepare for and enroll in college. Visit www.micampuscompact.org
for tips on a college positive mindset.
Cosigner: Someone whose credit rating and history is better or more established than the person applying for a loan. The cosigner signs the loan application with the borrower as a guarantor that the loan will be repaid. If the borrower defaults on the loan, the cosigner is responsible for repaying it.
Cost of Attendance: The COA (Cost of Attendance) is the sum figured by each institution for one year of attendance. Each college calculates this differently, but they are required to include:
● Tuition and fees payable to the institution
● Books and supplies
● Room and board
● Room and board
● Personal expenses, transportation
Credit Hour: Units of value given to classes, often based on the number of hours a student is expected to attend class each week. Some classes may be worth more credit hours than others.
Students who take a certain number of hours are considered to be “full–time” students, while those who take fewer hours are considered “part–time.” Twelve credit hours is typically the minimum required for full–time status for undergraduate students
20

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Glossary cont.
CSS/Profile: The CSS/Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is a secondary financial aid form required by some colleges and collects family information not contained on the FAFSA, thus giving participating colleges an additional and closer look into a family’s financial background. There is a fee for the CSS/Profile and the form changes every year. Colleges using the CSS/Profile also run the
Institutional Methodology for use in allocating institutional financial aid.
Deferred Admission: The practice of some colleges or programs that allows an accepted student to postpone enrollment, usually for one year, without having to reapply.
Demonstrated Financial Need: The difference between a college’s Cost of Attendance and the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Dependent Student: For federal aid purposes, all students who do not meet one of the qualifying criteria forIndependent Student status are considered Dependent Students and must report both parent and student financial information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.
Direct Subsidized Student Loan: (Formerly Stafford Loan) Federal student loans awarded on the basis of financial need that is not met by federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants, state grants, or other forms of financial aid. Financial need is determined by completion of the FAFSA. With Direct Subsidized Student Loans, the student does not have to pay any principal while in school more than half time and the government pays the interest during this time.
Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan: (Formerly Stafford Loan) Federal student loans awarded without regard to financial need. The FAFSA must be filed in order to obtain this loan; there is no qualifying income for parents or students. Unlike Direct Subsidized Student Loans, the student is charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full, including in-school, grace and deferment periods. However, students typically have the option of compounding interest during these periods and adding that to the loan principal that is paid back after graduation or upon leaving school, or dropping below half-time status.
Dislocated Worker: In general, a person may be considered a dislocated worker if he or she:
● is receiving unemployment benefits due to being laid off or losing a job and is unlikely to return to a previous occupation;
● has been laid off or received a lay-off notice from a job;
● was self-employed but is now unemployed due to economic conditions or natural disaster; or
● is a displaced homemaker. A displaced homemaker is generally a person who previously provided unpaid services to the family (e.g., a stay-at-home mom or dad), is no longer supported by the husband or wife, is unemployed or underemployed, and is having trouble finding or upgrading employment.
21

Michigan C ollege Application Week
If a person quits work, generally he or she is not considered a dislocated worker even if, for example, the person is receiving unemployment benefits.
Dual Enrollment: A program that allows high school students to enroll in college courses for credit at eligible high schools, colleges and universities prior to high school graduation. College credits earned through dual enrollment can be applied toward high school and college graduation and can be transferred to colleges or universities.
Early Admission: The practice of admitting (or accepting) students of superior ability or skill into college programs before they have completed high school as a gesture of confidence that the student can attend the institution should he or she choose to do so. Early admission does NOT limit the student’s ability to receive state or federal financial aid, and students are not “locked in” if they have been accepted early.
Eligible Noncitizen: Generally, you are an eligible noncitizen if you are (1) a permanent U.S. resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551); (2) a conditional permanent resident (I-551c); or
(3) the holder of an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security designating any one of the following: "Refugee," "Asylum Granted," "Parolee" (I-94 confirms that you were paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), "Victim of human trafficking," T-Visa holder (T-1, T-2, T-3, etc.) or "Cuban-Haitian Entrant."
Expected Family Contribution (EFC): The total amount of money a student/family is supposedly able to contribute toward college costs in a given academic year, according to Federal Methodology.
Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) Taxes: The federal Social Security and Medicare taxes taken out of workers’ wages.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): The FSEOG Program provides need-based grants (up to $4,000 per year) to low-income undergraduate students to promote access to postsecondary education. Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of FSEOG awards to provide students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment. Priority is given to those students with
"exceptional need" (those with the lowest Expected Family Contributions at the institution) and those who are also federal Pell Grant recipients.
Federal Work Study: A campus-based part-time employment program which provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students who are in need of such earnings to meet a portion of their educational expenses. Note: these are the only job-related earnings that are excluded from the
Federal Methodology in calculating a student’s EFC for the next academic year.
Financial Aid: Financial support given to students by federal and state organizations or postsecondary institutions to help students pay for college.
First Generation Students: Those individuals in their families who are the first to enroll in college; their parents have no more than high school educations.
22

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Glossary cont.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Federal form a student must file in order to qualify for federal funds, state grants and college need-based financial aid.
● This form must be filed each year beginning in the spring of a student’s senior year of high school.
● The information provided on the FAFSA is used to calculate a student’s Expected Family
Contribution, or EFC.
● The information used to fill out the FAFSA should be taken from tax return information from the calendar year prior to the academic year for which the student is applying for financial aid (e.g., 2011 calendar year tax information for the 2011-2012 academic year).
Gap/Gapping: Gapping occurs when the financial aid package offered by an individual college does not satisfy all of the demonstrated financial need of a student. In turn, this creates a “gap” of money that could possibly be added to a student’s EFC.
For example:
Cost of Attendance:
Minus EFC:
$20,000
$4,000
Minus Financial Aid Award: $11,000
Gap = $5,000
GED: A trademarked acronym used for the General Educational Development Tests, a battery of examinations administered by states and jurisdictions to measure the skills and knowledge similar to a high school course of study. GED graduates earn a GED credential. The type of credential issued, diploma or certificate, varies by state.
Grants: Similar to scholarships as free money to help pay for education. They are usually issued by colleges, nonprofit organizations, or governmental agencies and given to individuals based on financial need, whether they meet certain criteria, or in response to a commitment to complete a particular project or study a particular field. Sometimes grants have to be repaid if recipients do not fulfill their obligations.
Honors Programs or Colleges: Students who excel academically during high school may be eligible to enroll in an honors program at college. Honors programs offer students the chance to take more difficult classes, and some students are required to participate in honors programs in order to receive college scholarships. Many honors programs offer additional support for honors students, such as personalized tutoring or priority registration for college classes.
Hope Credit: Tax credit that can be used for the first two years of undergraduate study which was replaced by the American Opportunity Credit in 2009 for most students, except those attending an eligible institution in a Midwestern disaster relief area. The Hope Credit is a non-refundable credit worth up to $1,800 ($3,600 if a student is in a Midwestern disaster area) per eligible student. In
2009, the Hope Credit was phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $50,000 and $60,000 (single filers) and between $100,000 and $120,000 (married filing
23

Michigan C ollege Application Week jointly). The Hope Credit is not available for tax year 2010, as it was temporarily replaced by the
American Opportunity Credit.
ItsMILife.com: Michigan’s social networking site that engages students directly in planning for life after high school. Students can connect, contribute and make college decisions. www.itsmilife.com
King–Chávez–Parks Initiative (KCP): The Martin Luther King, Jr.–César Chávez–Rosa Parks
Initiative is housed in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation – Workforce Development
Agency. Its goal is to increase the opportunities for Michigan’s most educationally disadvantaged students to earn college degrees by providing a variety of programs and funding support.
Additional information about the initiative can be found at www.michigan.gov/mcdc, click “Career
Education,” then click “Postsecondary Services,” then click King–Chávez–Parks Initiative.
KnowHow2GoMichigan.org: A public awareness campaign encouraging young people to take the necessary steps to go to college.
Legal Guardian: A person appointed by a court to have the care and custody of a child and/or the child's estate.
Lifetime Learning Credit: Tax credit available for an unlimited number of years which can be used for all years of postsecondary education and for courses to acquire or improve job skills.
The Lifetime Learning Credit is a nonrefundable credit worth up to $2,000 (20% of the first $10,000 in qualified education expenses) per tax return. The Lifetime Learning Credit is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $50,000 and $60,000 (single filers) and between $100,000 and $120,000 (married filing jointly). A student does not have to be enrolled in a degree program to qualify for this credit.
Loan Deferment: When payments of a loan are suspended for the borrower until a later point in time. For example, some federal loans are paid to students while they are in college, but they do not have to begin repaying their loans, or their loans are deferred, until they are no longer in college.
Major: An area of concentration in a particular field of study. Usually students specialize in their majors during their junior and senior years at college.
Merit-Based Financial Aid: Financial aid based on a student’s talents, performance, academic merit and/or other select characteristics. Depending on the college, merit-based scholarships may be awarded for academics, athletics, extracurricular involvement, art, theatre, music, journalism and more. Residency, future job plans, alumni ties and other factors also can be criteria for awarding some merit-based financial aid. Merit-based financial aid also is available from private sources such as community foundations, service organizations and others.
Michigan Campus Compact (MCC): A coalition of college and university presidents committed to promoting civic engagement on campuses and in students’ academic lives. It currently has 42 member campuses and is part of a national Campus Compact coalition of nearly 1,100 college and
24

Michigan C ollege Application Week university presidents, representing six million students. To find out more about MCC, visit www.micampuscompact.org
.
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN ): A nonprofit committed to dramatically increasing the college participation and completion rate in Michigan, particularly among low-income students, first-generation students, and students of color. MCAN supports local college access networks through grants and technical assistance. To find out more about MCAN, visit www.micollegeaccess.org
.
Michigan College Access Portal (MichiganCAP): Michigan’s free web-based college access portal to simplify the process of transitioning from high school to college and career. A one-stop website for students to plan, apply, and pay for college. www.michigancap.org
Michigan College Application Week: The goal of College Application Week is to provide every graduating high school senior the opportunity to apply to college. The initiative will take place in
October of each year. To learn more visit www.micollegeaccess.org/events/college-applicationweek .
National Merit® Scholarship Program: A scholarship program based mostly on scores from the
PSAT/NMSQT.®Each year, National Merit students receive scholarships ranging from several hundred dollars to the full cost of attendance. See also PSAT/NMSQT.®
Need-Based Financial Aid: Financial aid based on student/family financial circumstances.
Residency, future job plans, alumni ties and other factors also can be criteria for awarding some need-based grants and scholarships.
Open Admissions: Typically means that the admissions process is NOT competitive. In other words, students who meet the minimum requirements outlined by the institution will likely be accepted to the school; sometimes also referred to as “open enrollment.”
Parent Contribution (PC): Contribution expected from the income and assets of the parent(s) and/or stepparent in the student’s household.
Pell Grant: A need-based federal grant given to undergraduate students based on the student’s
Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which must be below a specified threshold; can be used at eligible colleges around the country.
Perkins Loan: The Federal Perkins Loan Program provides low-interest loans to help needy students finance the costs of postsecondary education (up to $5500 per year). Institutional financial aid administrators at participating institutions have substantial flexibility in determining the amount of Perkins loans to award to students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment, but priority is given to those students with “exceptional need” (those with the lowest Expected Family
Contributions) and those who are also federal Pell Grant recipients.
Permanent Resident: A U.S. resident who is the holder of a Permanent Resident Card (I-551).
25

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Glossary cont.
PLAN®: A guidance resource administered by ACT, Inc. that helps students measure their academic development, explore career/training options and make plans for the remaining years of high school and post-graduation years. Typically, PLAN is taken in the fall of a student's sophomore year.
PLUS Loan (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students): Loans available to parents who are credit-worthy. Student must be a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half-time for parent PLUS borrowing.
● The annual borrowing limit = student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid received.
● Students whose parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan may be eligible to take out additional funds through the Direct Student Loan program.
Postsecondary: Education and training beyond high school.
Registration: The process of choosing and signing up for college classes. Most colleges have a defined registration process, which determines when students can register (typically seniors are first, followed by juniors, etc.). Class registration is on a first–come, first–serve basis, so students typically try to register as soon as possible in order to secure the classes they want at the times they prefer.
SAT®: A standardized test and college entrance exam administered by the College Board that measures a student's critical reading, mathematics and writing abilities. An essay is also included.
For more information, go to www.collegeboard.com.
Selective Admissions: Typically means that the admissions process is competitive. In other words, students who apply to institutions with a selective admissions process are compared to other applicants, and only those judged to be the best fit or most qualified (based on criteria set by the school) are accepted to the institution. Selective admissions processes often require students to write essays, describe after–school and community activities in which they have participated, and list awards received. Institutions that have selective admissions processes often require higher academic achievement (like higher grades and test scores)
Student Aid Report (SAR): Special report that is processed and sent to a student after the FAFSA is filed, showing the student’s EFC and the data elements provided on the FAFSA that were used to calculate theEFC.
● Copies of the report also are sent to the student’s state grant agency and the colleges the student lists on the FAFSA.
Student Asset Contribution (SAC): Contribution from any assets (cash, checking, savings, investments, trust fund, etc.) in the student’s name (and/or Social Security number).
Student Income Contribution (SIC): Contribution expected from student income.
26

Michigan C ollege Application Week
Glossary cont.
Student Loan Interest Deduction: Tax deduction for interest paid on student loans exclusively used to cover qualified higher education expenses The Student Loan Interest Deduction can reduce taxable income up to $2,500 for interest paid during a given tax year on a student loan taken out specifically for college costs. The deduction is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (AGI) between $60,000 and $75,000 (single filers) and between $120,000 and
$150,000 (married filing jointly). The student for whom the loan was taken out must be enrolled at least half time in a degree program to qualify for this deduction.
Trade/Vocational school: Trade schools or vocational schools offer programs that focus on providing graduates with the job-specific skills needed for their chosen career path. Rather than requiring students to study a diverse curriculum made up of different subjects, trade schools emphasize only those fields that are relevant to the student’s future profession.
Transfer: Students who have completed college coursework at another institution can often transfer their course credits to the new institution to which they plan to apply. Students who started college but stopped short of earning a degree, or students who completed college classes while in high school should be sure to speak with an admissions counselor about transferring their credits.
Tuition Incentive Program (TIP): The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) is an incentive program that encourages eligible students to complete high school by providing tuition assistance for the first two years of college and beyond. To meet the financial eligibility requirement, a student must have (or have had) Medicaid coverage for 24 months within a 36–consecutive–month period as identified by the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS).
Undergraduate: A college student who has not yet earned an associates or Bachelor’s degree.
Work Study Program: A type of state or federal aid in which a student is given a job either on or off campus and paid a wage. The amount students earn is based on the wage and the number of hours worked.
College Glossary Resources:
Michigan Campus Compact-College Positive Volunteers Toolkit: http://www.micampuscompact.org/cpvtoolkit.aspx
Indiana College Costs: http://www.indianacollegecosts.org/understand-the-financial-aidprocess/glossary-of-terms
Iowa College Access Network: http://www.icansucceed.org/en/common_resources/glossary/
College Foundation of West Virginia: https://secure.cfwv.com/images/wv/pdfs/Admissions101Web.pdf
27