LC State Terms to Know

We've compiled a list of common terms and lingo to help you understand Financial Aid, Admissions, and other essential information. 

Admissions

Accepted/Admitted: You have met the entrance requirements of LC State. Congratulations!


Tentative Admission: Applicants who have not submitted a final transcript. To be fully admitted, you must submit your official transcript.


7th Semester/10th Trimester Transcript: The first semester/trimester (of your senior year of high school) transcript (includes classes and grades earned up to that point in high school). This is required to meet LC State's Priority Deadline.


Priority Deadline: To ensure the greatest eligibility for federal aid and to qualify for LC State scholarships, students must submit scholarship applications, the FAFSA, and their admission materials by the March 1 Priority Deadline.

Testing

ACT/SAT: American College Test and the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Both are designed to measure your level of knowledge in basic areas such as math, science, English, reading, and social sciences. 


ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces)/WPE: Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (math placement exam) and the Writing Placement Exam (English placement exam). Can be taken at the LCSC Testing Center. 

Registration

Enrollment: The procedure where you choose classes (and register for them) each semester, with your advisor’s guidance.


Advisor: Person who helps you know and understand requirements to select courses and meet degree requirements for your program.

Degrees/Programs

Major: Your chosen field of study.


Associate’s Degree: A minimum of 60 hours (credits); typically takes two years to complete; can be transferred to another college.


Bachelor’s Degree: A minimum of 120 hours (credits); typically takes four years to complete; often called an undergraduate degree.


CTE: Career-Technical Education. These are majors and programs that specialize in the skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation.


Academic: Programs that comprise the core, required, and elective courses that lead to a degree or certificate.


Pre-professional program: Programs and plans that enable students to pursue careers in professional fields and attend graduate school. For example, Pre-Medicine.


Division: A unit of the college that oversees types of programs. For example, the Social Sciences Division houses all the degree programs in that genre: history, justice studies, psychology, social work, etc.

Financial Aid

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You may qualify for Grants, Scholarships, Work Study, and/or Loans.

  • Subsidized Loan: A federal student loan awarded to students who demonstrate need. The government pays the interest on the loan until the student is required to begin repayment.
  • Unsubsidized Loan: A federal student loan awarded to students regardless of demonstrated need. The student is responsible for all interest payments.

Tuition: The amount paid for enrollment. It does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board. These charges are dependent on such factors as residency (Idaho or out-of-state).


WUE: Western Undergraduate Exchange is a regional tuition-discount agreement. Qualifying students typically pay 150% of the resident’s tuition.


Merit-based scholarships: An award based on high school success.