Common Data Set 2021-22

Common Data Set A: General Information

A1. Address Information

• Name of College/University: Boise State University
• Mailing Address: 1910 University Drive
• City/State/Zip: Boise, ID 83725
• Country: United States
• Main Phone Number: (208) 426-1000
• WWW Home Page Address: www.boisestate.edu
• Admissions Phone Number: (208) 426-1156
• Admissions Toll-Free Phone Number: 1-800-824-7017
• Admissions Office Mailing Address:
  Office of Admission
  1910 University Drive
  Boise, ID 83725-1320
  United States
• Admissions Fax Number: (208) 426-3765
• Admissions Email Address: admissions@boisestate.edu
• If there is a separate URL for your school’s online application, please specify: https://boisestate.edu/admissions/apply/

A2. Source of Institutional Control

Public

A3. Undergraduate Institutional Classification

Coeducational College

A4. Academic Year Calendar

Semester

A5. Degrees Offered

• Certificate
• Associate
• Bachelor’s
• Postbachelor’s certificate
• Master’s
• Doctoral degree research/scholarship

Common Data Set B: Enrollment and Persistence

B1. Institutional Enrollment – Men and Women

Numbers of students for each of the following categories as of the official fall reporting date or as of October 13, 2021. Note: Report students formerly designated as “first professional” in the graduate cells. For information on reporting study abroad students please see: This Document at NCES.GOV

Total all undergraduates: 22,433
Total all graduate: 3,397
GRAND TOTAL ALL STUDENTS: 25,830

B2. Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Numbers of undergraduate students for each of the following categories as of the official fall reporting date or as of October 13, 2021. Only international students are in the category “Nonresident aliens.” Reported as reported to IPEDS: persons who are Hispanic are reported only on the Hispanic line, not under any race, and persons who are non-Hispanic multi-racial are reported under “Two or more races”

B3. Persistence

Number of degrees awarded from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

• Certificate/diploma: 515
• Associate degrees: 132
• Bachelor’s degrees: 3,935
• Postbachelor’s certificates: 168
• Master’s degrees: 1,075
• Post-Master’s: 23
• Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship: 44
• Doctoral degrees – professional practice: 6
• Doctoral degree – other: 0 

4. Graduation Rates: Fall 2015 Cohort

For Bachelor’s or Equivalent Programs
Please provide data for the Fall 2015 cohort if available. If  Fall 2015 cohort data are not available, provide data for the Fall 2014 cohort.

5. Graduation Rates: Fall 2014 Cohort

For the cohort of all full-time bachelor’s degree seeking undergraduate students who entered institution as freshman in Fall 2020 (or the preceding summer term), percentage enrolled at institution as of official enrollment date in Fall 2021:  76%

Common Data Set C: First-Time, First-Year Admission

The number of degree-seeking, first-time, first year (FTFY) students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled (full- or part-time) in Fall 2021.

Included are early decision, early action, and students who began studies during summer in this cohort. Applicants include only those students who fulfilled the requirements for consideration for admission (i.e., who completed actionable applications) and who have been notified of one of the following actions: admission, non admission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution). Admitted applicants include wait-listed students who were subsequently offered admission.

Applications

C1. First-Time, First-Year Students

• Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who applied: 6,639
• Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who applied: 9,009

• Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who were admitted: 5,338
• Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who were admitted: 7,670

• Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) men who enrolled: 1,276
• Total part-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) men who enrolled: 58 

• Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled: 1,783
• Total part-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled: 54
• Total first-time, first-year (degree seeking) who applied: 15,648
• Total first-time, first-year (degree seeking) who were admitted: 13,008
• Total first-time, first-year (degree seeking) who enrolled: 3,171

C2. First-Time, First-Year Wait-Listed Students

There is no policy of placing students on a waiting list

Admission Requirements

C3. High school completion requirement

High school diploma is required and GED is accepted

C4. Does your institution require or recommend a general college-preparatory program degree-seeking students?

Recommend

C5. Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended.

Basis for Selection

C6. Do you have an open admission policy?

No

C7. Relative importance of academic and nonacademic factors in first-time, first-year, degree-seeking (freshman) admission decisions.

Academic GPA and Standardized test scores are considered.

C8. SAT and ACT Policies

Entrance Exams

C8A: Does your institution make use of SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants? Yes

C8A: For Fall 2023 admission, SAT or ACT is required for some.

C8B: Type of ACT and SAT used in admission decisions for first-time, first-year degree-seeking applicants for Fall 2023 (regardless of whether the ACT writing score or SAT exam score will be used in the admissions process):

• ACT without or without writing accepted
• SAT with or without Essay component accepted

C8C: Use of SAT or ACT Writing Component: not using SAT or ACT essay

C8D: Does your institution use applicants’ test scores for academic advising? No

C8E: Latest date by which SAT or ACT scores must be received for fall: May 1

C8G: Tests used for placement (e.g., state tests):

• SAT
• ACT

Freshman Profile

C9. Percent and number of first-time, first-year (freshman) students enrolled in Fall 2021 who submitted national standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores

• Percent submitting SAT scores: 
• Number submitting SAT scores: 
• Percent submitting ACT scores: 
• Number submitting ACT scores: 

SAT/ACT Scores by Percentile

Percent of first-time, first-year (freshman) students with SAT scores in each range

Percent of first-time, first-year (freshman) students with ACT scores in each range

C10. Percent of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who had high school class rank within each of the following ranges

• Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class:
• Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class:
• Percent in top half of high school graduating class:
• Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class: 
• Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class:
• Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school class rank: 

C11. Percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who had high school grade-point averages within each of the following ranges (using 4.0 scale)

• Percent who had GPA of 3.75 or higher:
• Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74:  
• Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49:
• Percent who had GPA between 3.0 and 3.24:
• Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99:
• Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49: 
• Percent who had GPA between 1.0 and 1.99: 
• Percent who had GPA below 1.0:

C12. Average and percentage of high school GPA submission first-time, first-year freshman

• Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted GPA: 
• Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted high school GPA:

Admission Policies

C13. Application Fee

Does your institution have an application fee? Yes

Amount of application fee: $50.00

Can it be waived for applicants with financial need? Yes

If you have an application fee and an online application option, same fee? Same Fee

Can it be waived for applicants with financial need? Yes

Can on-line application fee be waived for applicants with financial need? Yes

C14. Application Closing Date

Does your institution have an application closing date? Yes

Application closing date (fall): August 1

Priority Date: May 15

C15. Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?

Yes

C16. Notification to applicants of admission decision sent

By (date):

C17. Reply policy for admitted applicants

Deadline for housing deposit: June 15

Amount of housing deposit: $200.00

Refundable if student does not enrolled?

• Yes, in part 

C18. Deferred Admission

Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission? Yes

C19. Early admission of high school students

Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) students one year or more before high school graduation? No

Early Decision and Early Action Plans

C21. Early decision

Does your institution offer an early decision plan for first-time, first-year applicants for Fall enrollment? No

C22. Early action

Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college? No

Common Data Set D: Transfer Admission

Fall Applicants

D1. Does your institution enroll transfer students?

Yes.

If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities? Yes

D2. Number of students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2021.

Application for Admission

D3. Indicate terms for which transfers may enrolled

Fall, spring, and summer

D4. Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering freshman?

Yes, the minimum number of credits and unit of measure is 14 post-high school semester credits.

D5. Items required of transfer students to apply for admission

Required of all:

• College transcript(s)

Required of some:

• High school transcript

Not required:

• Essay or personal statement
• Interview
• Standardized test scores
• Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)

D6. Minimum high school grade point average required of transfer applicants (on a 4.0 scale):

N/A

D7. Minimum college GPA required of transfer applicants:

2.25

D8. Any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:

N/A

D9. Application priority, closing, notification, and candidate reply dates for transfer students

Priority Date:

• Fall: May 1 (Rolling Admission)
• Spring: November 15 (Rolling Admission)
• Summer: May 1 (Rolling Admission)

Closing Date:

• Fall: August 1
• Spring: December 1
• Summer: N/A

D10. Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students?

No

D11. Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable

N/A

Transfer Credit Policies

D12. Report the lowest grade earned for any course that be transferred for credit

All Grades

D13. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution

N/A

D14. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution

N/A

D15. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree

15

D16. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree

30

D17. Describe other transfer credit policies

N/A

D18. Does your institution accept the following military/veterans transfer credits:

• American Council on Education (ACE): N/A
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP): N/A
• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) N/A

D19. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE):

N/A

D20. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)):

N/A

D21. Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?

N/A

D22. Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution:

N/A

Common Data Set E: Academic Offerings and Policies

E1. Available Programs:

• Distance learning
• Double major
• Dual enrollment
• Exchange student program (domestic)
• Honors Program
• Independent study
• Internships
• Student-designed major
• Study abroad
• Teacher certification program
• Weekend college

E3. Areas in which all or most students are required to complete some course work prior to graduation

• Arts/fine arts
• English (including composition)
• History
• Humanities
• Mathematics
• Sciences (biological or physical)
• Social science

Common Data Set F: Student Life

F1. First-time, first-year (freshman) degree-seeking students and undergraduates

Percentages of first-time, first-year (freshman) degree-seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2021 who fit the following categories

F2. Activities offered

• Choral groups
• Concert band
• Dance
• Drama/theater
• International Student Organization
• Jazz band
• Literary magazine
• Marching band
• Music ensembles
• Musical theater
• Pep band
• Radio station
• Student government
• Student newspaper
• Student-run film society
• Symphony orchestra

F3. ROTC

Army ROTC is offered On Campus

F4. Housing

• Coed dorms
• Apartments for married students
• Apartments for single students
• Other housing options: Living Learning Communities

Common Data Set G: Annual Expenses

Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator: https://fs.boisestate.edu/financialaid/Net+Price+Calculator.html

Provide 2022-2023 academic year costs of attendance are not available at this time and provide an approximate date (i.e., month/day) when your institution’s final 2022-2023 academic year costs of attendance will be available: June 2022 

A full academic year refers to the period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to two semesters, two trimesters, three quarters, or the period covered by a four-one-four plan. Food and housing is defined as double occupancy and 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan. Required fees include only charges that all full-time students must pay that are not included in tuition (e.g., registration, health, or activity fees.) Do not include optional fees (e.g., parking, laboratory use).

G2. Number of credits per term a student can take for the states full-time tuition

Minimum: 12

Maximum: 17

G3. Do tuition and fees vary by year of study?

No

G4. Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program?

No

G5. Estimated expenses for a typical full-time undergraduate student

G6. Undergraduate Per-Credit-Hour Charges (tuition only)

In-district:
In-state (out-of-district):
Out-of-State:
Nonresident aliens:

Common Data Set H: Financial Aid

H1. Aid Awarded to Enrolled Undergraduates

Total dollar amounts awarded to enroll full-time and less than full-time degree-seeking undergraduates (using the same cohort reported in CDS Question B, “total degree-seeking” undergraduates). Aid awarded to international students (i.e., those not qualifying for federal aid) is included. Aid that is non-need-based but that was used to meet need is reported in the need-based aid column.

H1. The academic year for which data are reported items H1, H2, H2a, and H6 below is the final data for 2021-2022

Formerly H3. The Federal methodology is the needs-analysis methodology used in awarding institutional aid.

H2. Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Aid

Number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who applied for and were awarded financial aid from any source. Non-need based aid that was used to meet need is counted as need-based aid. Numbers reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1. Students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshman are also counted as full-time undergraduates.

H2A. Number of enrolled students awarded non-need-based scholarships and grants:

Number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional–not external–non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Numbers reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1. Students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshmen are also counted as full-time undergraduates.

H3. Incorporated into H1 above.

Note: These are the graduates and loan types to include and exclude in order to fill out CDS H4 and H5:

Include:

• 2021 undergraduate class: all students who started at your institution as first- time students and received a bachelor’s degree between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
• Only loans made to students who borrowed while enrolled at your institution
• Co-signed loans

Exclude:

• Students who transferred in
• Money borrowed at other institutions
• Parent loans
• Students who did not graduate or who graduated with another degree or certificate (but no bachelor’s degree)

H4. 2022 Undergraduate Class

Students in the 2021 undergraduate class who started at your institution as first-time students who received a bachelor’s degree between July 1, 2020and June 30, 2021, excluding transfer students:

1923

H5. Number and percent of students in class (defined in H4 above) borrowing from federal, non-federal, and any loan sources, and the average (or mean) amount borrowed.

Aid to Undergraduate Degree-seeking Nonresident Aliens

H6. Policy regarding institutional scholarship and grant aid for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens.

Institutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available.

H6. Number of undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens who were awarded need-based or non-need-based aid:

50

H6. Average dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking aliens:

$5,362

H6. Total dollar amount of institutional financial aid awarded to undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens:

$268,096

H7. Financial aid forms nonresident alien first-year financial aid applicants must submit:

• Institution’s own financial aid form
• International Student’s Certification of Finances

Process for First-Year Students

H8. Financial aid forms domestic first-year (freshman) financial aid applicants must submit:

FAFSA

International Student’s Certification of Finances

H9. Filing dates for first-year (freshman) students:

Priority date for filing required financial aid forms: February 15

Deadline for filing required financial aid forms: N/A

H10. Notification dates for first-year (freshman) students:

Students notified on a rolling basis with a starting date of March 15

H11. Reply dates:

Students must reply by April 12 or within 4 weeks of notification.

Types of Aid Available

H12. Types of aid available to undergraduates:

Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Direct PLUS loans

Federal Perkins Loan

Federal Nursing Loans

College/university loans from institutional funds

H13. Need-Based Scholarships and Grants:

Federal Pell

SEOG

State scholarships/grants

Private scholarships

College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds

Federal Nursing Scholarships

H14. Criteria used in awarding institutional aid:

Non-Need Based

• Academics
• Alumni Affiliation
• Art
• Athletics
• ROTC
• Music/drama

Need-Based

• Athletics
• Music/Drama

Common Data Set I: Instructional Faculty and Class Size

I1. Number of Instructional Faculty

The following definition of full-time instructional faculty is used by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in its annual Faculty Compensation Survey (the part time definitions are not used by AAUP). Instructional Faculty is defined as those members of the instructional-research staff whose major regular assignment is instruction, including those with released time for research. The chart below lists inclusions and exclusions:

Full-time instructional faculty: Faculty employed on a full-time basis for instruction (including those with released time for research)

Part-time instructional faculty: Adjuncts and other instructors being paid solely for part-time classroom instruction. Also includes full-time faculty teaching less than two semesters, three quarters, two trimesters, or two four-month sessions. Employees who are not considered full-time instructional faculty but who teach one or more non-clinical credit courses may be counted as part-time faculty.

Minority faculty: Includes faculty who designate themselves as black, non-Hispanic; American Indian or Alaskan native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.

Doctorate: Includes such degrees as Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science, and Doctor of Public Health in any field such as arts, sciences, education, engineering, business, and public administration. Also includes terminal degrees formerly designated as “first professional,” including dentistry (DDS or DMD), medicine (MD), optometry (OD), osteopathic medicine (DO), pharmacy (DPharm or BPharm), podiatric medicine (DPM), veterinary medicine (DVM), chiropractic (DC or DCM), or law (JD).

Terminal degree: The highest degree in a field: example, M. Arch (architecture) and MFA (master of fine arts).

I2. Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2021 ratio of full-time equivalent students (full-time plus 1/3 part-time) to full-time equivalent instructional faculty (full-time plus 1/3 part-time).Excluded are both faculty and students in stand-alone graduate or professional programs such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry, social work, business, pr public health in which faculty teach virtually only graduate level students. Undergraduate and graduate student teaching assistants are not counted as faculty.

Fall 2021  Student to Faculty Ratio:

I3. Undergraduate Class Size

Class Sections: A class section is an organized course offered for credit, identified by discipline and number, meeting at a stated time or times in a classroom or similar setting, and not a subsection such as a laboratory or discussion session. Undergraduate class sections are defined as any sections in which at least one degree-seeking undergraduate student is enrolled for credit. Exclude distance learning classes and noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis research, music instruction, or one-to-one readings. Exclude students in independent study, co-operative programs, internships, foreign language taped tutor sessions, practicums, and all students in one-on-one classes. Each class section should be counted only once and should not be duplicated because of course catalog cross-listings.

Class Subsections: A class subsection includes any subsection of a course, such as laboratory, recitation, and discussion subsections that are supplementary in nature and are scheduled to meet separately from the lecture portion of the course. Undergraduate subsections are defined as any subsections of courses in which degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled for credit. As above, exclude noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis research, music instruction, or one-to-one readings. Each class subsection should be counted only once and should not be duplicated because of cross-listings.

For each of the following class-size intervals, the number of class sections and class subsections offered in Fall 2021. For example, a lecture class with 800 students who met at another time in 40 separate labs with 20 students should be counted once in the “100+” column in the class section column and 40 times under the “20-29” column of the class subsections table.

Number of Class Sections with Undergraduates Enrolled
Undergraduate Class Size

Common Data Set J: Degrees Confirmed

J1. Degrees conferred between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021

For each of the following discipline areas, numbers represent the percentage of diplomas/certificates, associate, and bachelor’s degrees awarded. Majors, not headcount (e.g., students with one degree but a double major will be represented twice) are used. Percentages are calculated from institution’s IPEDS Completions by using the sum of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd majors for each CIP code as the numerator and the sum of the Grand Total by 1st, 2nd, and 3rd majors as the denominator.

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.

A

*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.

 *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.

B

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.

C

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.

*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.

D

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.

E

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.

F

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.

G

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.

H

*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. 

I

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.

L

*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. 

*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.

M

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.

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.

N

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.

O

*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.

P

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Q

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.

R

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).

S

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.

T

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.

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.

*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.

U

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.

V

*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.

W

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.

Financial Aid Definitions

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.

Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA.

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.

Institutional scholarships and grants: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants for which the institution determines the recipient.

Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution’s own standards.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:

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

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.

Work study and employment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.