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.

National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS)
A leadership development program is open to curriculum students who have completed at least 12 credit hours in good standing with a 3.0 GPA. The National Society of Leadership and Success has hundreds of branches throughout the nation at community colleges and universities.
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
A centralized database, available at nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA, which stores information on federal grants and loans. NSLDS contains information on how much aid you’ve received, your enrollment status, and your loan servicer(s). You can access NSLDS using your FSA ID.
NC-DAP Test
An assessment/placement test measuring reading comprehension, sentence skills, arithmetic, elementary algebra and college level mathematics. Scores are used to select courses that best fit the students’ current educational level (formerly called "Accuplacer Test").
NCCCG (North Carolina Community College Grant)
A state financial aid award that’s generally given to NC residents not qualifying for a full Pell Grant award based on their EFC or other disqualifications. You must attend at least half-time (at least 6 credit hours) in order to be eligible to receive NCCCG funds.
NCCCS (North Carolina Community College System)
The network of community colleges within the state of North Carolina. A-B Tech Community College is a recognized and approved community college within the NCCCS.
NCELS (North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship)
A state financial aid award that’s generally given to NC residents not qualifying for a full Pell Grant award based on their EFC or other disqualifications. You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible to receive NCELS funds.
Need-Based
Based on a student’s financial need; for example, a need-based grant might be awarded based on a student’s low income.
Net Price
An estimate of the actual cost that a student and their family need to pay in a given year to cover education expenses for the student to attend a particular school. Net price is determined by taking the institution’s cost of attendance and subtracting any grants and scholarships for which the student may be eligible.
New Borrower
You are a new borrower if you had no outstanding balance on a Direct Loan Program Loan or a Federal Family Education Loan Program loan as of Oct. 1, 2007, or have no outstanding balance on such a loan on the date you receive a new loan after Oct. 1, 2007.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
An information session that must be completed by all Curriculum students before the student is able to register for classes. NSO can be completed either in person on A-B Tech’s Asheville Campus or online through Trailhead. In order to take NSO (either in person or online), it must be scheduled beforehand at abtech.edu/nso.
No Show
A registered student who does not attend during the first 10% of the class is dropped as a No Show. There are no tuition/fee refunds for No Shows, and a No Shows grade does appear on the transcript.
Non-Resident
Another term for Out-of-State Resident. A student is considered an out-of-state resident, by North Carolina law (G.S. 116-143.1), if they have not maintained domicile in NC for at least the 12 months immediately prior to classification as a resident for tuition purposes. Proof of residency includes being employed within the state of NC, paying NC taxes, having a current NC driver’s license, and voting in NC. A student cannot qualify for in-state tuition if they are claimed as a dependent by a parent or guardian who is not a NC resident. Contact the Admissions Office in the Bailey Student Services Building for additional information about residency status.
North Carolina Community College Grant (NCCCG)
A state financial aid award that’s generally given to NC residents not qualifying for a full Pell Grant award based on their EFC or other disqualifications. You must attend at least half-time (at least 6 credit hours) in order to be eligible to receive NCCCG funds.
North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)
The network of community colleges within the state of North Carolina. A-B Tech Community College is a recognized and approved community college within the NCCCS.
North Carolina Education Lottery Scholarship (NCELS)
A state financial aid award that’s generally given to NC residents not qualifying for a full Pell Grant award based on their EFC or other disqualifications. You must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible to receive NCELS funds.
Notary Public
Classes covering the qualifications, procedures, and certification for becoming a notary, which is a person authorized to perform certain legal formalities, such as drawing up or certifying contracts, deeds, and other official documents. A-B Tech’s Notary Public classes are offered through the Continuing Education division.
NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System)
A centralized database, available at nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA, which stores information on federal grants and loans. NSLDS contains information on how much aid you’ve received, your enrollment status, and your loan servicer(s). You can access NSLDS using your FSA ID.
NSLS (National Society for Leadership and Success)
A leadership development program is open to curriculum students who have completed at least 12 credit hours in good standing with a 3.0 GPA. The National Society of Leadership and Success has hundreds of branches throughout the nation at community colleges and universities.
NSO (New Student Orientation)
An information session that must be completed by all Curriculum students before the student is able to register for classes. NSO can be completed either in person on A-B Tech’s Asheville Campus or online through Trailhead. In order to take NSO (either in person or online), it must be scheduled beforehand at abtech.edu/nso.
Nurse Aide 1 (Certified Nursing Assistant/CNA)
Classes providing basic training in the entry-level caregiving skills needed to work as a Nursing Assistant in various healthcare settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, or private homes. Additional information can be found at abtech.edu/healthcare/nurse-aide-program.
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