Academic Support Service Terms and Definitions

Student-directed support in a particular course or subject provided by an individual, often a peer, with advanced knowledge in that field. Tutoring can be set up in a variety of formats.  

  • Individual Tutoring: One-on-one meetings (scheduled or drop-in) for a designated time period, which could be recurring with the same tutor or change by appointment.  
  • Group Tutoring: Meetings with a group of students facilitated by a single tutor, often scheduled on a recurring basis.  
  • Embedded Tutoring : Tutor supports one course section by attending class and providing assistance during class activities and/or scheduled times outside of class.  
  • Help Room : Designated space for subject-specific support managed by an individual with subject knowledge. Help rooms are often drop-in locations for quick questions about the course or subject.  

Peer-facilitated study sessions to review material for a specific course and encourage study skills, developed by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction Center at UMKC.

Support on an academic skill, like writing, presentations, or statistics, for an assignment or project. Consultants, often peers, do not provide expertise on the content area, but advise and collaborate to improve the skill or project.    

Guidance for academic success, such as study skills, project management, and goal setting, provided by a knowledgeable peer or professional staff member.   

Guidance for personal fulfillment, development, or academic success based on the mentor’s own experiences in similar situations.  

Interactive presentations on a particular topic for a group of students. 

  • Cost of Attendance (COA) - Total amount it will cost you to go to school (includes tuition, fees and estimated personal expenses).
  • Credit hour- The number of hours assigned to a course, which often reflects the approximate amount of time spent in class per week. 
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC) - An estimate of parents' and/or students' ability to contribute to post-secondary expenses. In general, the lower the EFC, the higher the financial aid.
  • FAFSA - The common name for the free application for federal student aid form prepared annually to determine eligibility for post-secondary financial aid.
  • Federal Work-Study - A federal program that provides part-time employment opportunities for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay educational expenses.
  • Financial need - The difference between the cost of attending a particular school and the expected family contribution.
  • First-Generation College Student- A student who neither parent nor guardian have earned a 4-year degree
  • Freshman- A first-year college student, or ont that has earned fewer than 30 credit hours
  • Full-Time Student (undergraduate)- A student enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the fall/spring semester
  • Grant - Financial awards based on need and generally do not need to be repaid. These awards typically come from federal, state, or university sources.
  • Junior- An undergraduate college student that has earned at least 90 credit hours
  • Loan (Subsidized) - A need-based loan from the federal government, the interest of which is paid for by the U.S. Department of Education while the borrower is in school and during grace and deferment periods.
  • Loan (Unsubsidized) - A non-need-based loan from the federal government the interest of which is paid for by the borrower.
  • Major- The Concentration of courses required to earn a degree. For example, a biology major is pursuing a degree in biology and will take courses oriented to that area of interest
  • Master's Degree/ Graduate Work- a degree completed after your bachelor's degree; most commonly involves more extensive research in your area of study; commonly completed in two years
  • Mixed Status Family- a family or guardian structure that includes members with different immigration statuses.
  • Pell Eligible- Determined by completing the FAFSA, this is a grant awarded to undergraduate students that demonstrate financial need. This is money that does not have to be paid back.
  • Scholarship - Money awarded to students to help pay for educational expenses that does not have to be repaid and is based on academic or other achievements.
  • Senior- An undergraduate college student that has earned more than 90 credit hours
  • Sophomore- An undergraduate college student that has earned more than 30 and fewer than 60 credit hours
  • Student of Color/ Minority Student- A student that identifies African American (Black), Hispanic, Native American, Asian and/or a mix of the aforementioned racial identities
  • Transfer Student- A college student who completed courses at another college or university before enrolling at the University of Kansas and is transferring 30 or more credit hours when they start at KU
  • Undergraduate Student- A student who is pursing, but has not yet received a bachelor's degree
  • Underrepresented Student- refers to a student that is underrepresented in college or a certain field. This includes first-generation college students, minority students or students of color, LGBTQIA+ in some fields this also includes women
  • Undocumented student or DREAMER- a student who lives in the United States but who does not have official legal status as either a citizen or as a permanent resident