Glossary of Terms

Academic Coach

Individuals who are fully licensed educators in a specific content area, who work closely with Kauffman Scholars and the network of support around them to provide an enriched and rigorous academic experience.

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ACT Assessment Test

The American College Testing program assessment includes tests on English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. An optional writing test is also available. The ACT test is given at test centers throughout the United States and in other countries throughout the year.

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Curriculum

A curriculum is composed of those classes prescribed or outlined by an institution for completion of a program of study leading to a degree or certificate.

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Life Coach

Individuals with a background in sociology or psychology, dedicated to helping students achieve their goals by developing their decision-making skills. This element of the Kauffman Scholars Program matches individual students with a life coach to interact with them as a guide and caring figure to help address interpersonal issues and build self-esteem

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Financial Aid

Aid is made available through grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Awards from these programs may be combined in an "award package" to meet the cost of a college education. The types and amounts of aid awarded are determined by financial need, available funds, student classification, academic performance, and sometimes the timeliness of application.

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Parental Involvement

Actions of parents taking an involved role in their child's educational future such as frequently discussing school-related matters with their child and encouraging/nurturing their child's educational career.

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PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test)

The PSAT test is a shorter version of the SAT Reasoning Test that uses an additional writing skills section to evaluate student abilities. Sophomores and juniors take the test each year in October; the results aid in the early guidance of students planning for college. In the junior year, results serve as the qualifying test for scholarships awarded by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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Rigorous coursework

The U.S. Department of Education defines rigorous academic preparation as at least 4 years of English and mathematics (including pre-calculus), 3 years of a foreign language, and one honors/advanced placement (AP) course or AP test score. Enrollment in such coursework not only prepares students for college but also helps students complete college prerequisites.

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SAT Reasoning Test (formerly known as the SAT I)

This College Board test measures developed reading, writing, and mathematical reasoning abilities. It is given on specified dates throughout the year at test centers throughout the Unites States and in other countries. Many colleges and universities require completion of the SAT test for financial aid consideration.

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SAT Subject Tests (formerly known as the SAT II)

These College Board tests assess a student's knowledge of specific subjects, such as history, science, economics or a foreign language. The test is used by colleges to inform decisions about admission, course placement and exemption of incoming freshmen from entry-level courses.

Social Support

Students receive social support from their parents, friends, and school staff including teachers, counselors and principals, and community-based agency workers to help the students overcome a variety of obstacles to college access and graduation.

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Tuition

Tuition is the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment. Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board. Tuition charges vary from college to college and are dependent on such factors as state resident or out-of-state status, level of classes enrolled in (lower, upper or graduate division), and whether the institution is publicly or privately financed.

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Tutor

A tutor is a person, generally another student or an adult, who has completed and/or demonstrated proficiency in a course or subject, and is able to provide instruction to another student. Tutors usually help students better understand course material and improve their grades.

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University

A university is composed of undergraduate, graduate, and professional colleges and awards degrees and certificates.

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