Common
Data Set Definitions |
All definitions related to the financial aid
section appear at the end of the Definitions document. |
|
Items preceded by an asterisk (*) represent
definitions agreed to among publishers which do not appear on the CDS
document but may be present on individual publishers surveys. |
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*Academic advisement: Plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty
member or a trained adviser, who, through regular meetings, helps the student
plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and vocational goals. |
Accelerated program: Completion of a college program of study in fewer than the
usual number of years, most often by attending summer sessions and carrying
extra courses during the regular academic term. |
Admitted student: Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting
program at your
institution. |
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*Adult student services: Admission assistance, support, orientation, and other
services expressly for adults who have started college for the first time, or
who are re-entering after a lapse of a few years. |
American Indian or Alaska
Native: A person having origins in any of the
original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and
maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment. |
Applicant (first-time,
first year): An individual who has fulfilled the
institution s requirements to be considered for admission (including payment
or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one
of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list,
or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution). |
Application fee: That amount of money that an institution charges for
processing a student s application for acceptance. This amount is not creditable toward
tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not
admitted to the institution. |
Asian: A person having origins in
any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian
subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. |
Associate degree: An award that normally requires at least two but less than
four years of full-time equivalent college work. |
Bachelor s degree: An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined
by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education) that normally requires
at least four years but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level
work. This includes ALL bachelor s degrees conferred in a five-year
cooperative (work-study plan) program. (A cooperative plan provides for
alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or
government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with
their college studies.) Also, it includes bachelor s degrees in which the
normal four years of work are completed in three years. |
Black or African American: A person having origins in
any of the black racial groups of Africa. |
Board (charges): Assume average cost for 19 meals per week or the maximum
meal plan. |
Books and supplies
(costs): Average cost of books and supplies. Do not
include unusual costs for special groups of students (e.g., engineering or
art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at your
institution. |
Calendar system: The method by which an institution structures most of its
courses for the academic year. |
Campus Ministry: Religious student organizations (denominational or
nondenominational) devoted to fostering religious life on college campuses.
May also refer to Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Christian
organization. |
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*Career and placement
services: A range of services, including (often) the
following: coordination of visits of employers to campus; aptitude and
vocational testing; interest inventories, personal counseling; help in resume
writing, interviewing, launching the job search; listings for those students
desiring employment and those seeking permanent positions; establishment of a
permanent reference folder; career resource materials. |
Carnegie units: One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school
subject. |
Certificate: See Postsecondary award,
certificate, or diploma. |
Class rank: The relative numerical position of a student in his or her
graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-point
average, whether weighted or unweighted. |
College-preparatory
program: Courses in academic subjects (English,
history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the
arts) that stress preparation for college or university study. |
Common Application: The standard application form distributed by the National
Association of Secondary School Principals for a large number of private
colleges who are members of the Common Application Group. |
*Community service
program: Referral center for students wishing to
perform volunteer work in the community or participate in volunteer
activities coordinated by academic departments. |
Commuter: A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned
by, operated by, or affiliated with the college. This category includes
students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to
attend college. |
Clock hour: A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled
instruction given to students. Also referred to as contact hour. |
Continuous basis (for
program enrollment): A calendar system classification
that is used by institutions that enroll students at any time during the
academic year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school
might allow students to enroll and begin studies at various times, with no
requirement that classes begin on a certain date. |
Cooperative education
program: A program that provides for alternate class
attendance and employment in business, industry, or government. |
Cooperative housing: College-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing in which
students share room and board expenses and participate in household chores to
reduce living expenses. |
*Counseling service: Activities designed to assist students in making plans and
decisions related to their education, career, or personal development. |
Credit: Recognition of attendance or performance in an
instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient
toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized
postsecondary credential. |
Credit course: A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied
toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma,
certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential. |
Credit hour: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of
instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a
10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of
hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma,
certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential. |
Cross-registration: A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may
take courses at another institution without having to apply to the second
institution. |
Deferred admission: The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone
enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one year. |
Degree: An award conferred by a college, university, or other
postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies. |
Degree-seeking students: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized
by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary
credential. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students
enrolled in vocational or occupational programs. |
Differs by program
(calendar system): A calendar system classification
that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational programs of
varying length. These schools may enroll students at specific times depending
on the program desired. For example, a school might offer a two-month program
in January, March, May, September, and November; and a three-month program in
January, April, and October. |
Diploma: See Postsecondary award,
certificate, or diploma. |
Distance learning: An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations
via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence
courses, or other means. |
Doctor s
degree-research/scholarship: A Ph.D. or other
doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master s level,
including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original
research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating
substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of
degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or D.M, and others, as
designated by the awarding institution. |
Doctor s
degree-professional practice: A doctor s degree that
is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills
for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional
practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total
time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional
preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of
these degrees were formerly classified as first-professional and may
include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law
(L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine
(D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary
Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution. |
Doctor s degree-other: A doctor s degree that does not meet the definition of a
doctor s degree - research/scholarship or a doctor s degree - professional
practice. |
Double major: Program in which students may complete two undergraduate
programs of study simultaneously. |
Dual enrollment: A program through which high school students may enroll in
college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not
required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate. |
Early action plan: An admission plan that allows students to apply and be
notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification
dates. If admitted, the candidate is not committed to enroll; the student may
reply to the offer under the college s regular reply policy. |
Early admission: A policy under which students who have not completed high
school are admitted and enroll full time in college, usually after completion
of their junior year. |
Early decision plan: A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an
admission decision (and financial aid offer if applicable) well in advance of
the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of
admission and, if admitted, to withdraw their applications from other
colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants:
admitted, denied, or not admitted but forwarded for consideration with the
regular applicant pool, without prejudice. |
English as a Second
Language (ESL): A course of study designed
specifically for students whose native language is not English. |
Exchange student
program-domestic: Any arrangement between a student
and a college that permits study for a semester or more at another college in the United States without
extending the amount of time required for a degree. See also Study abroad. |
External degree program: A program of study in which students earn credits toward a
degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency examinations,
and personal experience. External degree programs require minimal or no
classroom attendance. |
Extracurricular activities
(as admission factor): Special consideration in the
admissions process given for participation in both school and
nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs,
hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts, etc. |
First-time student: A student attending any institution for the first time at
the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended
a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior
summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing
(college credit earned before graduation from high school). |
First-time, first-year
(freshman) student: A student attending any
institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students
enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the
prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing
(college credits earned before graduation from high school). |
First-year student: A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1
full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30 semester hours (in a
120-hour degree program) or less than 900 clock hours. |
Freshman: A first-year undergraduate student. |
*Freshman/new student
orientation: Orientation addressing the academic,
social, emotional, and intellectual issues involved in beginning college. May
be a few hours or a few days in length; at some colleges, there is a fee. |
Full-time student
(undergraduate): A student enrolled for 12 or more
semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a
week each term. |
Geographical residence (as
admission factor): Special consideration in the
admission process given to students from a particular region, state, or
country of residence. |
Grade-point average
(academic high school GPA): The sum of grade points a
student has earned in secondary school divided by the number of courses
taken. The most common system of assigning numbers to grades counts four
points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, one point for a D,
and no points for an E or F. Unweighted GPA s assign the same weight to each
course. Weighting gives students additional points for their grades in
advanced or honors courses. |
Graduate student: A student who holds a bachelor s or equivalent, and is
taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level. |
*Health services: Free or low cost on-campus primary and preventive health
care available to students. |
High school diploma or
recognized equivalent: A document certifying the
successful completion of a prescribed secondary school program of studies, or
the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Tests of General Educational
Development (GED), or another state-specified examination. |
Hispanic or Latino: A person of Mexican, Puerto
Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin,
regardless of race. |
Honors program: Any special program for very able students offering the
opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or
some combination of these. |
Independent study: Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the
approval of the department concerned, under an instructor s supervision, and
usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure. |
In-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who
meet the state s or institution s residency requirements. |
International student: See Nonresident alien. |
International student
group: Student groups that facilitate cultural
dialogue, support a diverse campus, assist international students in
acclimation and creating a social network. |
Internship: Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related
to a student s major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The
work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid. |
*Learning center: Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops,
computer programs, or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing, math, and
skills such as taking notes, managing time, taking tests. |
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*Legal services: Free or low cost legal advice for a range of issues
(personal and other). |
Liberal arts/career
combination: Program in which a student earns
undergraduate degrees in two separate fields, one in a liberal arts major and
the other in a professional or specialized major, whether on campus or
through cross‑registration. |
Master's degree: An award that requires the successful completion of a
program of study of generally one or two full-time equivalent academic years
of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in
Theology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classified as
"first-professional", may require more than two full-time
equivalent academic years of work. |
Minority affiliation (as
admission factor): Special consideration in the
admission process for members of designated racial/ethnic minority groups. |
*Minority student center: Center with programs, activities, and/or services intended
to enhance the college experience of students of color. |
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Model United Nations: A simulation activity focusing on conflict resolution,
globalization, and diplomacy. Assuming roles as foreign ambassadors and
delegates, students conduct research, engage in debate, draft resolutions,
and may participate in a national Model UN conference. |
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Native Hawaiian or Other
Pacific Islander: A
person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa,
or other Pacific Islands. |
Nonresident alien: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United
States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not
have the right to remain indefinitely. |
*On-campus day care: Licensed day care for students children (usually age 3 and
up); usually for a fee. |
Open admission: Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school
graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without
regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications. |
Other expenses (costs): Include average costs for clothing, laundry, entertainment,
medical (if not a required fee), and furnishings. |
Out-of-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who
do not meet the institution s or state s residency requirements. |
Part-time student
(undergraduate): A student enrolled for fewer than 12
credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each
term. |
*Personal counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals
for students who want to explore personal, educational, or vocational issues. |
Post-baccalaureate
certificate: An award that requires completion of an
organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the bachelor s;
designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree but do not
meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master. |
Post-master s certificate:
An award that requires completion of an organized
program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master s degree but does not
meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. |
Postsecondary
award, certificate, or diploma: Includes the
following three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates, and
diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact/clock hour requirements: |
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Less Than 1 Academic Year: Requires completion of an
organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the
baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters or 3
quarters) or in less than 900 clock hours by a student enrolled full-time. |
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At Least 1 But Less Than 2
Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized
program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree)
in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or
designed for completion in at least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in
at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours. |
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At Least 2 But Less Than 4
Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized
program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree)
in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or
designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in
at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours. |
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Private institution: An educational institution controlled by a private
individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by
other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or
appointed officials. |
Private for-profit
institution: A private institution in which the
individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation, other than wages,
rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. |
Private nonprofit
institution: A private institution in which the
individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than
wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both
independent nonprofit schools and those affiliated with a religious organization. |
Proprietary institution: See Private for-profit
institution. |
Public institution: An educational institution whose programs and activities
are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials, and which is
supported primarily by public funds. |
Quarter calendar system: A calendar system in which the academic year consists of
three sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each. The range may be from
10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter in the summer. |
Race/ethnicity: Category used to describe groups to which individuals
belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories
do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may
be counted in only one group. |
Race/ethnicity unknown: Category used to classify students or employees whose
race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one
of the specified racial/ethnic categories. |
Recognized Postsecondary
Credential: Includes both Title IV eligible degrees,
certificates, and other recognized postsecondary credentials. Any credential
that is received after completion of a program that is eligible for Title IV
federal student aid. Credentials that are awarded to recognize an
individual s attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational
skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry
occupation. (Generally based on standards developed or endorsed by employers
or industry associations). |
Religious
affiliation/commitment (as admission factor): Special
consideration given in the admission process for affiliation with a certain
church or faith/religion, commitment to a religious vocation, or observance
of certain religious tenets/lifestyle. |
*Religious counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals
for students who want to explore religious problems or issues. |
*Remedial services: Instructional courses designed for students deficient in
the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and
educational setting. |
Required fees: Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by
tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does NOT pay is the exception. Do not include application fees or
optional fees such as lab fees or parking fees. |
Resident alien or other
eligible non-citizen: A person who is not a citizen
or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal
immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status (and
who holds either an alien registration card [Form I-551 or I-151], a
Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688], or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form
I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status, such as Section
207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or
Cuban-Haitian). |
Room and board
(charges) on campus: Assume double occupancy in
institutional housing and 19 meals per week (or maximum meal plan). |
Secondary school record
(as admission factor): Information maintained by the
secondary school that may include such things as the student s high school
transcript, class rank, GPA, and teacher and counselor recommendations. |
Semester calendar system: A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the
academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may
be an additional summer session. |
Student-designed major: A program of study based on individual interests, designed
with the assistance of an adviser. |
Study abroad: Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the
college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or
through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an
institution of another country. |
*Summer session: A summer session is shorter than a regular semester and not
considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term of an
institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an
institution operating on a quarter calendar system. The institution may have
2 or more sessions occurring in the summer months. Some schools, such as
vocational and beauty schools, have year-round classes with no separate
summer session. |
Talent/ability (as
admission factor): Special consideration given to
students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the
institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.). |
Teacher certification
program: Program designed to prepare students to meet
the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior
high, and secondary schools. |
Transfer applicant: An individual who has fulfilled the institution s
requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of
the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college
or university and earned college-level credit. |
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Transfer student: A student entering the institution for the first time but
known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same
level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit. |
Transportation (costs): Assume two round trips to student s hometown per year for
students in institutional housing or daily travel to and from your
institution for commuter students. |
Trimester calendar system:
An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15
weeks each. |
Tuition: Amount of money charged to students for instructional
services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit. |
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*Tutoring: May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to
tutoring in an area such as math, reading, or writing. Most tutors are
college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified. |
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Unit: a standard of measurement representing hours of academic
instruction (e.g., semester credit, quarter credit, clock hour). |
Undergraduate: A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor s
degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate. |
*Veteran s counseling: Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits for
their selected program and provides certifications to the Veteran s
Administration. May also provide personal counseling on the transition from
the military to a civilian life. |
*Visually impaired: Any person whose sight loss is not correctable and is
sufficiently severe as to adversely affect educational performance. |
Volunteer work (as
admission factor): Special consideration given to
students for activity done on a volunteer basis (e.g., tutoring, hospital
care, working with the elderly or disabled) as a service to the community or
the public in general. |
Wait list: List of students who meet the admission requirements but
will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available. |
Weekend college: A program that allows students to take a complete course
of study and attend classes only on weekends. |
White: A person having origins in
any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. |
*Women s center: Center with programs, academic activities, and/or services
intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles of women. |
Work experience (as
admission factor): Special consideration given to
students who have been employed prior to application, whether for relevance
to major, demonstration of employment-related skills, or as explanation of
student s academic and extracurricular record. |
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Financial Aid Definitions |
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External scholarships and
grants: Scholarships and grants received from outside
(private) sources that students bring with them (e.g., Kiwanis, National
Merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the
dollars, but it has no role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount
awarded. |
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Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submits any
one of the institutionally required financial
aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA. |
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Indebtedness: Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program
(federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding parent
loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans
co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the student and
should be
included. |
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Institutional scholarships
and grants: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and
tuition funded grants for which the institution determines the recipient. |
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Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal
methodology and/or your institution's own standards. |
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Need-based aid: College-funded or college-administered award from
institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have
financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and
non-institutional student aid (grants, jobs, and loans). |
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Need-based scholarship or
grant aid: Scholarships and grants from
institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have
financial need to qualify. |
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Need-based self-help aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other
sources for which a student must demonstrate financial need to qualify. |
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Non-need-based scholarship
or grant aid: Scholarships and grants, gifts, or
merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal, or other sources
(including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely
on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any other non-need-based reason.
When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet
need should be counted as need-based aid. |
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Note: Suggested order of
precedence for counting non-need money as need-based: |
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1.
Non-need institutional grants |
2.
Non-need tuition waivers |
3.
Non-need athletic awards |
4.
Non-need federal grants |
5.
Non-need state grants |
6.
Non-need outside grants |
7.
Non-need student loans |
8.
Non-need parent loans |
9.
Non-need work |
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Non-need-based self-help
aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or
other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial need to
qualify. |
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Work study and employment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment
packaged by your institution in financial aid awards. |
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