Learn the Lingo
Every college and university uses terms, definitions, and organizational names that are particular to their part of the academic world. The list below will help you find your way through the language labyrinth.
Feel free to contact me with suggestions for words and terms you don't find on the list.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Admission & Financial Aid, Office of: Provides information to prospective and current students regarding the application process, scholarships, and state/federal financial aid. Go to www.ham.muohio.edu/Admission and www.ham.muohio.edu/fin_aid
Advising & Retention Services, Office of: Academic advising is an ongoing process of assisting students in academic planning, helping directly or through referrals to solve problems which influence academic success, helping students develop the skills/tools necessary to make mature and informed decisions regarding their academic careers. Go to www.ham.muohio.edu/advising/
B
Banner ID: An ID number used by Miami University in place of your social security number for student identification purposes.
BannerWeb: Web portal designed to do the following:
- Complete Admission on-line application
- Register for classes
- Print class schedule
- Check grades
- Print a DARs
- Review Financial Aid account
- Review Financial Aid requirements and awards
BlackBoard: Online service to aide in course work and may act as a link between students and faculty.
C
Compass Test: The Office of Learning Assistance administers the COMPASS assessment testing required of all incoming first-year students and some transfer students. The COMPASS test assesses the student's mathematics, reading and writing skills. The test requires about two hours for most students to complete.
D
DAR: Degree Audit Report: A report telling students what classes have been taken and what further ones are required to complete their degree.
Dean's list: List of students that received a 3.5 GPA or above. This is awarded each semester.
Degree Power Schedule: The Degree Power Schedule at Miami Hamilton and Miami Middletown allows students to earn a degree while balancing busy work and family commitments by taking classes in the evening.
E
E-Bill: Online student invoices that display the same information as traditional paper billing statements. Students are able to access these bills via their Miami University email account.
EFC: Expected Family Contribution: EFC measures your family's financial strength, and is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid during one school year. You receive an EFC based on the processing results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Elective: Those classes not required by your major. (Note: See Academic Advising)
ESL/ELL: English as a Second Language/English Language Learners. Learn about ESL/ESLL at Miami Hamilton.
F
Faculty: Professors and instructors.
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid: This form must be completed for a student to be eligible for Federal Aid. Miami University requires the FAFSA to be filed for consideration for all federal aid, including the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. Filing the FAFSA ensures students have access to the best aid available. For more information, please visit the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov
First-time students: Students who have never attended college before. Miami University Hamilton has an open admission policy for first-time first year students.
G
Grants: Financial awards based on financial need which do not require repayment.
L
Learning Assistance, Office of: Provides programs for students who want additional help in mastering individual subjects or developing study skills. www.ham.muohio.edu/learningassistance/index.htm
Loans: Financial aid available to all students that do require repayment.
M
Major: Your area of study. For more information about the majors offered at Miami University, follow this link. www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majorsminors/index.cfm
Minor: An area of study complementing your major, with less course requirements. For more information about the minors offered at Miami University, follow this link. http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majorsminors/index.cfm
Miami Plan Foundation: Classes forming the liberal arts base to any Miami University Degree. For more information, follow this link. www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/miamiplan
Multicultural Services, Office of: The Office of Multicultural Services was established in December 1995 in response to growing multicultural student admissions at Miami University Hamilton. www.ham.muohio.edu/multicultural
MyMiami: The web portal designed for students to access grades, accounts, and other university resources. To access MyMiami follow http://mymiami.muohio.edu
O
Official Transcript: A record of all classes taken and grades received at an institution. To remain official, it must be sent directly from the granting institution to the receiving institution.
P
PSEOP: The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) permits high school students in grades nine through twelve to earn college and high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses. Learn more at the PSEO program website.
President's List: An award granted each semester listing the students who received 4.0.
R
Record & Registration, Office of: Provides general information about: Course Scheduling, Adding and Dropping classes, Enrollment Verification, Grade Distribution, Relocating to the Oxford Campus, Articulation Agreements, Transcript Requests, and Transfer Credit Evaluations. www.ham.muohio.edu/reg/index.htm
Re-Enrolling Former Students: “Once a student, always a student!” If you have attended any of Miami University’s campuses and completed a course for a final grade, you are considered a returning former student. Re-enrolling students should complete an online application form. If you require more information, call the Records and Registration Office at the Hamilton Campus at 785-3209.
S
SaturdaySelect: Allows you to earn an Associate in Arts degree in as little as two years—without weekday classes. Learn more at the SaturdaySelect.com website.
Scholarships: Based primarily on academic achievement and do not require repayment. Scholarships can supplement aid if student shows financial need or academic merit.
Student Government Association (SGA): The SGA represents the interests of students. Learn more at the SGA website.
Student Services, Office of: offers a wide range of services, educational activities, and leadership opportunities intended to foster a positive, dynamic and intellectually stimulating campus environment that enables students to develop to their fullest potential. www.ham.muohio.edu/studentservices/index.htm
T
Thematic sequence: A portion of the Miami Plan. (Note: See Academic Advising) For more information, follow this link. www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/miamiplan/index.cfm
Transcript: (see Official Transcript)
Transfer Students: Students who have attended another college or university after high school and registered for one or more courses are considered transfer students. Transfer students must complete the application for admission and submit an official transcript of all previous college work attempted. Students who graduated from high school after 1985 also must submit an official high school transcript.
Transient Students: Students who are currently enrolled in another institution but want to take some courses at Miami Hamilton. In order to attend as a transient student, you must have attended another college/university within the last 12 months. Transient students will need to complete a transient student application for admission and supply a statement of good standing or an official academic transcript showing a minimum 2.0 accumulative GPA. A transient student may not attend Miami University for two consecutive semesters.
U
Unclassified Admission: If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university, you are eligible for admission as an Unclassified Student. You will need to complete the Unclassified Student Application for Admission and submit an official transcript or diploma indicating the degree earned. Unclassified students taking classes at Miami University will earn credit for classes taken. This information is for those students NOT seeking another degree. If you are degree seeking, please fill out the transfer student application or call the Admission Office for clarification and questions.
NOTE: Unclassified students are NOT eligible to receive financial aid.
