A-B Tech InfoBase

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Glossary of Terms

Glossary is usually defined as an alphabetical list of technical terms in some specialized field of knowledge. This InfoBase glossary provides a collection of InfoBase documents that define many technical terms. These terms are arranged alphabetically, but you can quickly jump to a specific term by selecting its first letter from the index of the InfoBase glossary below.

FAFSA
FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the application that must be filled out in order to apply for any financial aid through the federal government or state. Students needing assistance completing the FAFSA can schedule a FAFSA by Appointment on the A-B Tech website. The FAFSA can be completed online at fafsa.gov
FAFSA by Appointment
15-20 minute student appointments with a trained financial aid trained volunteer or work-study student, who will provide assistance in completing a FAFSA . These appointments can be scheduled online at abtech.edu/financial-aid
Fall Semester
A 16-week period of Curriculum classes that starts in August and ends in December. The fall semester includes 16-week, 8-week, and 4-week classes that start at various dates between August and December.
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program
Under this program, private lenders provided loans to students that were guaranteed by the federal government. These loans included Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, FFEL PLUS Loans, and FFEL Consolidation Loans. Federal student loans under the FFEL Program are no longer made by private lenders. Instead, all new federal student loans come directly from the U.S. Department of Education under the Direct Loan Program.
Federal School Code
An identifier that the U.S. Department of Education assigns to each college or career school that participates in the federal student aid programs. In order to send your FAFSA information to a school, you must list the school’s Federal School Code on your application. A-B Tech’s federal school code is 004033.
Federal Student Aid Programs
The programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that provide grants, loans and work-study funds from the federal government to eligible students enrolled in college or career school.
Federal Student Loan
A loan funded by the federal government to help pay for your education. A federal student loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
A grant from the government for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are enrolled at least half-time. To apply for FSEOG, students need to complete the FAFSA.
Federal Work-Study
A federal student aid program that provides part-time employment while you are enrolled in school to help pay your education expenses. Work study jobs can be on campus or off campus and are part of your financial aid package.
FERPA
FERPA stands for Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. FERPA affords students the right to inspect and review their education records, request the correction of inaccurate or misleading records, consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education record and file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education if the institution does not comply with this law.
FFEL Program
Under this program, private lenders provided loans to students that were guaranteed by the federal government. These loans included Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans, FFEL PLUS Loans, and FFEL Consolidation Loans. Federal student loans under the FFEL Program are no longer made by private lenders. Instead, all new federal student loans come directly from the U.S. Department of Education under the Direct Loan Program.
Financial Aid Office
The office that’s responsible for preparing and communicating information on financial aid. This office helps students apply for and receive student loans, grants, scholarships and other types of financial aid. A-B Tech’s Financial Aid Office is located in the Bailey Student Services Building on the Asheville Campus.
Financial Need
The difference between the cost of attendance (COA) and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). While COA varies from school to school, your EFC does not change based on the school you attend.
Forbearance
A period during which your monthly loan payments are temporarily suspended or reduced. Your lender may grant you a forbearance if you are willing but unable to make loan payments due to certain types of financial hardships. During forbearance, principal payments are postponed but interest continues to accrue. Unpaid interest that accrues during the forbearance will be added to the principal balance (capitalized) of your loan(s), increasing the total amount you owe.
Form 1-20
Required form for international students who are seeking curriculum degrees or diplomas at A-B Tech and are applying for a M-1 Visa. The form, issued and signed by an A-B Tech official, states that the student has fulfilled the school’s admissions requirements and presented proof of financial resources. International students must present a signed Form I-20 at a U.S. embassy or consulate in his/her home country to obtain a M-1 Visa.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The application that must be filled out in order to apply for any financial aid through the federal government or state. It can be completed online at fafsa.gov.
FSA ID (For FAFSA)
The FSA ID (Federal Student Aid Identification) serves as your electronic signature, provides access to your personal records, and adds a further layer of security to your FAFSA. If you haven’t yet created an FSA ID, you can create one at fsaid.ed.gov.
FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
A grant from the government for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need who are enrolled at least half-time. To apply for FSEOG, students need to complete the FAFSA.
Full-time Student
A student enrolled for 12 or more credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and 9 or more credit hours during the summer session. Financial aid recipients must be registered 12 credit hours or more in the summer in order to be considered full-time and to receive the full amount of their summer Pell Grant award.
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