There are several classifications for institutions of higher education based on the types of education available and other characteristics. The definitions of college classifications and frequently used terms as follows:

Junior College - A college providing two years of formal education beyond the high school level. Attending a junior college will prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or it may prepare you for an occupation requiring only two years of college.

Community College - This type of school is similar to a junior college; city or county governments usually sponsor these types of institutions (ex: CCAC -Community College of Allegheny County). These colleges usually do not have dormitory housing. Students who take the appropriate classes at this type of school can easily transfer to a four-year college.

Liberal Arts College - A college that teaches a liberal arts curriculum. A liberal arts curriculum provides a broad, general knowledge and develops general intellectual capacities. This program may not prepare you for entry into a profession immediately

University - An institution consisting of two or more colleges, ex: a college of liberal arts and a college of engineering. This type of institution may also include professional and graduate schools.

Public Institutions - These schools receive financial support from state governments.

Private Institutions - These schools do not receive any financial support from the state. They depend upon tuition fees and endowments from individuals, corporations and/or religious affiliations for funding. Tuition costs are usually higher than at a public institution.

Open Admissions - A college's policy of admitting high school students without regard to high school grades or admissions test scores. These schools accept virtually all high school students with a diploma or its equivalent (GED).

Rolling Admissions - A procedure that allows a college to act on each application as soon as it receives all of the appropriate information. Students who apply to schools with this type of admissions procedure receive acceptance or rejection letters immediately after the school processes their application.

Early Admissions - A college's policy of admitting students of exceptional ability who have completed their junior year of high school. These students enroll full-time in a college program and receive high school diplomas upon successful completion of the freshman year of college.

Early Decision - A system that allows top high school students with a definite college preference to receive early processing of their applications and notification of acceptance or rejection. The deadline date for most applications is November 15 of the senior year with notification by December 15.

Candidate Notification Date - The date by which a school will respond to applications by, notifying candidates of acceptances or rejections. This date varies by school.

CSS Profile(College Scholarship Service) A few universities require this more in depth financiad aid form which requires more detailed family resource, asset, and income information.

PHEAA- Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. This is the Pennsylvania state organization that helps make higher education more affordable for students and their families with loans and grants and programs.

FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must complete this application to apply for federal and state financial aid. Many colleges and universities, especially public institutions, also require the FAFSA. You must submit the FAFSA every year that you want aid.

SAR- Student Aid Report. The SAR summarizes the information you provided on the FAFSA, and indicates the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Degree Programs
B.A. - Bachelor of Arts
B.S. - Bachelor of Science
A.A. - Associate in Arts (junior or community college)
A.S. - Associate in Science (junior or community college)

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