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.

GED (General Educational Development)
A certificate that students receive if they’ve passed a specific, approved high school equivalency test. Students with a GED certificate are eligible to enroll at A-B Tech and receive federal student aid. A-B Tech has a GED program that helps prepare students to take the GED test. The GED Office is located in the Hemlock Building on the Asheville campus and can be contacted at (828) 398-7433 or adulted@abtech.edu.
GED Certification
A certificate that students receive if they’ve passed a specific, approved high school equivalency test. Students with a GED certificate are eligible to enroll at A-B Tech and receive federal student aid. A-B Tech has a GED program that helps prepare students to take the GED test. The GED Office is located in the Hemlock Building on the Asheville campus and can be contacted at (828) 398-7433 or adulted@abtech.edu.
General Occupational Technology (GOT)
An academic Curriculum program that provides individuals with an opportunity to upgrade their skills and to earn an Associate’s Degree or diploma by taking courses suited for their occupational interests and/or needs. Students planning to enter one of A-B Tech’s selective or limited admissions programs often begin in the GOT program.
Global Institute for Sustainability Technologies (GIST)
An institute that develops/designs educational programs for both students and community and promotes the WNC local economy through collaborative partnerships in the emerging areas of sustainability .
GOT (General Occupational Technology)
An academic Curriculum program that provides individuals with an opportunity to upgrade their skills and to earn an Associate’s Degree or diploma by taking courses suited for their occupational interests and/or needs. Students planning to enter one of A-B Tech’s selective or limited admissions programs often begin in the GOT program.
GPA (Grade Point Average)
A numerical indication of the final letter grades earned by a student. A-B Tech uses a 4.0 scale for semester and cumulative grade-point averages. A grade of A is equivalent to a 4.0, a B is a 3.0, a C is a 2.0 a D is a 1.0, and an F is 0.0. A "W" grade (withdrawal) does not affect GPA.
Grace Period
A period of time after borrowers graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment where they are not required to make payments on certain federal student loans. Some federal student loans will accrue interest during the grace period, and if the interest is unpaid, it will be added to the principal balance of the loan when the repayment period begins.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
A numerical indication of the final letter grades earned by a student. A-B Tech uses a 4.0 scale for semester and cumulative grade-point averages. A grade of A is equivalent to a 4.0, a B is a 3.0, a C is a 2.0 a D is a 1.0, and an F is 0.0. A "W" grade (withdrawal) does not affect GPA.
Graduation Ceremony
An official ceremony held in May each year for diploma and/or degree graduates.
Graduation Rate
Measures the progress of students who began their studies as full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking students by showing the percentage of these students who complete their degree or certificate within a 150% of "normal time" for completing the program in which they are enrolled.
Grant
Financial aid, often based on financial need, that does not need to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund).
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