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A.A.-Associate of Arts.
Degree awarded upon satisfactory completion of a two-year broad-based course of study. At UAF, an associate of arts degree includes a majority of the baccalaureate core courses and can serve as a foundation for additional education.
A.A.S.-Associate of Applied Science.
Degree awarded upon satisfactory completion of specific occupational courses with emphasis on entering the job market.
academic advisor.
Faculty or staff member who helps students choose their curriculum and set career goals.
ACT American College Testing Program.
Exam that measures a student’s level of achievement and readiness in four subject areas: English, mathematics, social studies and natural sciences. Students entering a baccalaureate degree program are required to take the ACT or SAT. Scores help advisors determine the classes students are ready to take.
Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL).
Loan available to Alaska residents attending any eligible school or to non-residents attending a school in Alaska. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Students seeking funds through the ASEL program must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
associate degree.
Two-year degree offered through the College of Rural Alaska, granted to students who complete 60-80 credit hours of general university requirements and course work in a major field of study (see A.A. and A.A.S. degrees).
B.A.-Bachelor of Arts.
Degree awarded to students who complete a four-year course of study with an emphasis on the humanities, arts, social sciences or related subjects.
baccalaureate core.
Required course of study for all bachelor’s degree students. It includes courses in communication, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, natural sciences and library skills, providing students with a shared foundation of skills and knowledge.
baccalaureate degree.
Four-year degree granted to students who complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of general university requirements and course work in a major field of study (see B.A., B.B.A., B.F.A. and B.S.).
B.B.A.-Bachelor of Business Administration.
Degree awarded upon satisfactory completion of a four-year course of study with an emphasis on accounting, business administration or economics.
B.F.A.-Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Degree awarded upon satisfactory completion of a four-year course of study with an emphasis on art.
B.S.-Bachelor of Science.
Degree awarded upon satisfactory completion of a four-year course of study with an emphasis on the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics or related fields.
budget.
The total cost of attending school for one academic year, including tuition, books and supplies, and living expenses. The Office of Student Financial Aid calculates standard budgets for all students yearly.
certificate program.
Vocational certificates offered through the College of Rural Alaska. One or two years of study with 30-60 credit hours of course work are required.
chancellor.
First in command at UAF. The chancellor oversees all branches of the university including rural campuses and the Tanana Valley Campus in Fairbanks.
class standing.
Classification based on the number of semester credit hours a student has earned:
Class Standing Credit Hours

Freshman

0-29 credits

Sophomore

30-59 credits

Junior

60-89 credits

Senior

90+ credits
credit hours.
Unit of measure for college classes. Most classes are awarded three credit hours. In general, a three-credit class meets three hours a week throughout the semester, either three times a week for one hour, twice a week for 1 ½ hours or, less commonly, once a week for three hours.
dean.
Senior academic officer of a school, college or division within the university.
default.
Failure to repay a loan in compliance with the terms of the promissory note. If the records show that you are in default status, your financial aid will be held until you resolve it with the lender(s).
degree.
Award received at graduation from college indicating completion of a particular course of study. UAF offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
dependent student.
Your dependency status will be determined based on questions asked on the FAFSA. Status change is only possible if your dependency appeal has been approved by UAF because extenuating circumstances exist. For this reason, (step-parent(s) of dependent students must also report income(s) and sign the FAFSA. By contrast see independent student.
disbursement.
A payment; for example, a payment from a loan program to you is a disbursement.
electives.
Courses students may choose outside of their general university requirements and major field of study.
FAFSA-Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Financial aid application that determines a student’s eligibility to qualify for federal grants, loans and workstudy opportunities. Students can complete this application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application must be completed to qualify for the Alaska Supplemental Education Loan (ASEL).
financial aid.
All federal, state and agency aid in the forms of loans, grants, scholarships and work study.
financial need.
The difference between the cost of education at UAF (student budget) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
full-time student.
Anyone registered in 12 or more credits per semester as an undergraduate or in 9 or more credits as a graduate student.
general studies.
At UAF, general studies students are those who have not yet decided on a major (sometimes referred to as "undeclared” or "undecided” students).
general university requirements.
Courses/credits required of all students for graduation.
gift aid.
Funds awarded to students to help with college costs with no obligation for repayment on the part of the student. Few financial aid packages are composed entirely of gift aid. Most include some form of self-help assistance.
GPA-grade point average.
Weighted numerical average of the grades earned in classes taken for credit. It is computed by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of credits in courses attempted. Usually an A is worth 4 points, a B 3 points, a C 2 points and a D 1 point. A student who earns all Bs in all classes, has a 3.0 GPA.
graduate student.
A person who has earned a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.
grant.
Money received based on a student’s financial need. It does not require repayment.
housing.
UAF offers dormitories and apartments for single and married students, faculty and staff.
independent student.
For financial aid purposes you are considered independent if you:
1) are 24 years of age by January 1 of the award year;
2) are married;
3) are a graduate or professional student;
4) have legal dependents other than a spouse;
5) are an orphan or ward of the court; or
6) are a veteran.
internship.
Work experience that contributes to a student’s academic program. It is coordinated through UAF with a business or organization and monitored by a faculty member.
loan.
Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.
major.
Field of study in which a student wishes to specialize. It is possible to have two majors.
merit award.
Gift aid awarded to a student for superior academic performance or talent, typically demonstrated by grade point average or performance in a given field.
minor.
Additional area of emphasis outside the major but within a student’s degree program. A minor generally requires fewer credits than a major. Some programs at UAF require a minor (e.g., the B.A. degree), others do not.
package.
The total combination of scholarships, grants, work and loans awarded to a student.
part-time student.
One who is registered in 11 or fewer credits as an undergraduate or in 8 or fewer credits as a graduate student.
Pell Grant.
Federal grant awarded according to a student’s financial need.
promissory note.
The binding legal document you sign when you get a student loan. It lists the terms under which you are borrowing and the repayment terms to which you are agreeing, including information about interest rate, deferment and cancellation provisions. You should read and keep this document for your records. For Federal Stafford Loans, one Master Promissory Note (MPN) is needed for a first-time borrower. A loan acceptance form is submitted for each Stafford Loan awarded thereafter.
prerequisite.
Course or other requirement that must be completed before enrollment is allowed in another course. For example, UAF students must have completed high school algebra or the equivalent and be placed into ENGL F111X (Introduction to Academic Writing) before they can take BIOL F105X (Fundamentals of Biology I).
provost.
Chief academic administrator who oversees all academic schools, colleges and units, including the faculty.
RA-resident assistant.
Student leader who helps students living in the residence halls succeed academically and socially. RAs are among the first people a new student will meet. They organize many programs that help students adjust to residence hall and university life.
registrar’s office.
Processes and maintains previous and currently enrolled students’ grades, transcripts, and other official records concerning attendance and accomplishments.
registration.
Process of meeting with an academic advisor, selecting courses, submitting a course schedule, signing up for classes and paying fees.
RSS-Rural Student Services.
Place where all students at UAF, but especially those from rural Alaska, can gather, meet other students from small communities, and receive advising and academic support.
SAT I-Scholastic Assessment Test I: Reasoning Test.
Examination to measure a student’s verbal, mathematical and writing abilities. Students entering a baccalaureate degree program are required to take an ACT or SAT test. Scores are used for placement in appropriate courses.
scholarship.
Money received based on a student’s academic achievement or ability to succeed in college. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.
semester.
Basis of UAF’s academic calendar. Fall semester runs from early September to mid-December; spring semester runs from mid-January to early May; summer semester runs from early June to mid-August.
subsidized.
A subsidized loan is one for which the government pays the interest while you remain in school at least half-time. (Also see unsubsidized.)
transcript.
Official record of a student’s high school or college work. An official transcript (one that is sent directly from a school’s registrar’s office to UAF) is required as part of a student’s application for admission.
transfer credits.
Academic credits a student has earned from another accredited institution of higher education. Transfer credits can be applied toward UAF degree requirements.
undergraduate.
Class standing indicating a college or university student who has not yet received a bachelor’s or similar degree. Students who have completed a baccalaureate degree and are in a master’s or Ph.D. degree program are graduate students.
unsubsidized.
An unsubsidized loan is one for which you are responsible for the interest that accrues while you are in school. (Also see subsidized.)
veterans’ services.
Special assistance for military veterans. The UAF Veterans’ Services Office is located in the Eielson Building as part of the Office of Financial Aid.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Includes the Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan and the Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS). You will borrow money from the federal government by receiving funds directly through UAF.
work study.
Federal program that provides on-campus part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students who have financial need. To qualify for federal work study, students must be eligible for federal financial aid as determined by the FAFSA.