1. Scholarship Vocabulary Week #1

2. Accredited: In the U.S., colleges and universities are accredited by one of 19 recognized institutional accrediting organizations. Programs are accredited by one of approximately 60 recognized programmatic accrediting organizations. [Accrediting organizations that are “recognized” have been reviewed for quality by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the United States Department of Education. Accreditation is a major way that students, families, government officials, and the press know that an institution or program provides a quality education.

3. AGI (Adjusted Gross Income): All taxable income less IRS allowable adjustments to income. This figure is from U.S. IRS tax forms. For parents this figure is item number 73 in Step Four of the FAFSA and for students, it is item number 35 in Step Two.

4. Academic Year: A period of at least 30 weeks of instructional time, traditionally September through May, during which a full-time student is expected to complete at least 24 semester hours or credits. The length or dates may be defined differently for an institution that has trimester or measures program length in clock hours.

5. Community College: Sometimes called junior college or two-year college. Students can take classes, and then transfer to a four- year school, or they can earn certificates, diplomas or associate’s degrees.

6. Cost of Attendance: The total cost of attending a post-secondary institution (college, university, vocational & technical schools, or graduate schools) for one academic year. The cost of attendance usually includes tuition, fees, room, board, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.