A-B Tech InfoBase

We're here to help you find quick answers to common questions. Use the search box to look up key words or browse through the categories below.
Can't find what you're looking for? Click here to email us your question or call us at (828) 398-7900.

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.

Safe Zone
A-B Tech is a participant in the Safe Zone program, which seeks to create a climate of safety for all members of the College community. When you see the Safe Zone symbol, you will find an individual who is empathetic and informed about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) issues and who is willing and able to provide support and information.
SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
The on-going review of a student’s academic progress to ensure the student maintains the necessary standards to remain eligible for federal and/or state financial aid. These standards include maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, maintaining a minimum cumulative completion/pass rate of 67% (for students with 30+ credit hours) or 50% (for students with 1-29 credit hours), and completion of the academic program within 150% of the program’s published time frame. The Financial Aid Office determines a student’s SAP once per year, following the spring semester.
SAR (Student Aid Report)
A summary of the information submitted on the FAFSA. You receive this report via e-mail a few days after your FAFSA has been processed or by mail within 7-10 days if you did not provide an e-mail address. If there are no corrections or additional information you must provide, the SAR will contain your EFC, which is the number that’s used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitute Testing)
The most widely used standardized test for college admissions. The exam is created and administered by CollegeBoard (collegeboard.org) and covers three subject areas: critical reading, mathematics and writing. A-B Tech accepts SAT scores of 500 or higher in place of the NC-DAP test.
Satellite Locations
A-B Tech operates smaller campus sites and conducts educational training classes at different locations from the main Asheville Campus. A-B Tech’s satellite campuses are the Enka site in Candler and the Madison site in Marshall. We also offer classes at A-B Tech South, in Arden, and A-B Tech Woodfin, in North Asheville/Woodfin. The Goodwill Training Center in West Asheville and other public sites serve as training facilities.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
The on-going review of a student’s academic progress to ensure the student maintains the necessary standards to remain eligible for federal and/or state financial aid. These standards include maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, maintaining a minimum cumulative completion/pass rate of 67% (for students with 30+ credit hours) or 50% (for students with 1-29 credit hours), and completion of the academic program within 150% of the program’s published time frame. The Financial Aid Office determines a student’s SAP once per year, following the spring semester.
Schedule of Classes
A list of all the classes being offered during a specific semester. Courses are listed in alphabetical and numerical order. Days and times of each courses’ sections are also listed.
Scholarship
Money awarded to students based on academic or other achievements to help pay for education expenses. Scholarships generally do not have to be repaid.
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 FAFSA. A-B Tech’s school code is 004033.
Secondary School
An educational institution attended before college, such as a high school.
Section Number
A number or letter-number combination used to identify each section offered for a specific course; for example, for ENG-111-D13, the ENG 111 is the course number, and D13 is the section number. General education courses are offered multiple times and days. Each course has a different section number to indicate the specific class.
Selective Program Information Session
A program-specific information session. Students must complete the Selective Program Information Session prior to apply to a Selective program. For more information, visit abtech.edu/selective-limited-programs.
Self-Service
An A-B Tech Online Tool where students go to register for classes, view financial aid information, view tuition statements, download unofficial transcripts, view class schedules and view grades. Self-Service can be accessed by clicking the "Self-Service" link in the "Online Services" menu at the top of A-B Tech’s website, abtech.edu.
Semester
A period of 16 weeks (in the Fall or Spring) or 10-weeks (in the Summer) when Curriculum classes are offered.
Semester GPA
Average of the numerical final letter grades earned in a specific semester. A-B Tech uses a 4.0 scale for semester grade 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. A "W" grade (withdrawal) does not affect GPA. Semester GPA is used to determine a student’s Academic Standing.
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitior Program)
A program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement which monitors students and exchange visitors in the United States with F, M, or J visas status.
Share The Ride NC
A program that enables students, staff, and faculty to share/participate in carpool opportunities. For more information, visit sharetheridenc.org.
Single Stop
A “one-stop shop" for students to get connected to resources that will help keep them in school.
Small Business Center (SBC)
A building at the A-B Tech Enka Site in Candler that’s part of the statewide Small Business Center Network (SBCN), a community college-funded initiative with a vision to foster and support entrepreneurship, small business, and economic development in local communities across the state. More information can be found at abtech.edu/sbc.
SmarterMeasure
An assessment that measures readiness for online classes. SmarterMeasure is part of the Moodle Online Orientation and must be completed before registering for a 100% online class.
SMARTTHINKING
A-B Tech’s online tutoring service. All enrolled Curriculum students have access to Smarthinking, but it is especially useful for students in online and hybrid classes. Additional information can be found at abtech.edu/content/academic-success/academic-learning-center/SMARTHINKING-online-tutoring.
South Site
The A-B Tech location at 303B Airport Road, Arden, NC 28704. The South Site opened January 2013 and offers classes and services for Curriculum, Continuing Education, and GED students.
Spring Semester
The 16-week period starting in January and ending in May.
Standardized Test
A test that is designed to assess individuals against a common standard.
State Aid
Financial aid from a student’s state of legal residence. An example of state aid in North Carolina is the North Carolina Community College Grant (NCCCG).
Student Activity Fee
Fee charged to attending day students which is used to finance A-B Tech student activities.
Student Aid Report (SAR)
A summary of the information you submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You receive this report (often called the SAR) via e-mail a few days after your FAFSA has been processed or by mail within 7-10 days if you did not provide an e-mail address. If there are no corrections or additional information you must provide, the SAR will contain your EFC, which is the number that’s used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS)
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) is a program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement which monitors students and exchange visitors in the United States with F, M, or J visas status.
Student Business Incubator Program
The Student Business Incubator Program is a 12-month extracurricular activity designed to provide a nurturing, supportive environment to currrent A-B Tech students (enrolled in at least 9 credit hours) who want to either start or grow their own business.
Student Due Process
A process that gives students the right to appeal accusations of violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Students may request to have an informal meeting with the appropriate College Vice President to attempt to discuss and resolve the issue. For a complete process/procedure overview, reference the Student Handbook or A-B Tech website.
Student Email
The email account created after a student enrolls as a Curriculum student at A-B Tech. It can be accessed by clicking the link at the bottom of the A-B Tech website (abtech.edu) that says "Login to Student Email." Most notifications from A-B Tech to a student are sent to the student’s A-B Tech student email account.
Student Goverment Association (SGA)
The student group responsible for legislative and executive authority in regard to student affairs. The SGA serves as the voice of the student body in their relations with the College officials.
Student ID Card
An identification card that’s issued to current A-B Tech Curriculum students. The card includes the student’s name, student ID number, and photo. It can be obtained from the ID Card Office in the Bailey Student Services Building. ID Cards can be produced with a current application on file and a current government-issued photo ID card (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.).
Student ID Number
A seven-digit identification number assigned to all A-B Tech students upon admission to the College. Students first receive their student ID number in an email from the Admissions Office. A student’s ID number can also be viewed in WebAdvisor (under "Curriculum Students" then "My Profile"), or it can be obtained by showing a photo ID to the Student Services Desk in the Bailey Student Services Building.
Student Services
A division of A-B Tech that consists of the Admissions, Advising/Counseling, Financial Aid, Records & Registration, Call Center, Recruitment, and Student Life and Development departments. Most Student Services offices are located in the Bailey Student Services Building on A-B Tech’s Asheville Campus. Student Services assistance can be obtained by calling (828) 398-7900, emailing info@abtech.edu, or by visiting the Student Services Desk in the lobby of the Bailey Building.
Subsidized Loan
A loan based on financial need for which the federal government pays the interest that accrues while the borrower is in an in-school, grace, or deferment status. If the interest is not paid during the grace period, the interest will be added to the loan’s principal balance.
Summer Semester
The 10-week period of Curriculum classes starting in May and ending in August.
Suspension (Academic)
Occurs when a student’s semester GPA falls below 2.0 for three semesters in a row. Student will need to file an Academic Appeal before taking Curriculum classes again.
Suspension (Financial Aid)
Student is not meeting SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) requirements and is not eligible for financial aid, but does have the option to appeal.
Syllabus
A document provided by an instructor that describes the content and expectations of a course, the grading policy, the academic integrity policy, a list of assignments and due dates, and related information such as the required textbooks and other course materials, the instructor’s office hours, contact information, etc.
Changing Lives | Strengthening Communities