Academic Probation: To maintain good standing at the university, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. If this isn’t met, they are placed on academic probation, with advisors attempting to resolve the issue through academic counseling. Students failing to achieve a 2.00 semester GPA before graduation may face academic suspension.
Academic Suspension: Students on suspension may appeal. If approved, they must retake failed classes; if denied, they are suspended for a semester and return on probation.
Adjunct Professor: A teacher hired specifically to teach classes, usually as a part-time employee.
Advisor: Staff member assigned to assist students in selecting their classes each semester and persisting towards graduation.
Baccalaureate/Bachelor's degree: A degree that is given to a student by a college or university, usually after four years of study.
Bursar: A person/office in charge of all financial aspects of the university, including tuition payments.
Course Catalog: This is a listing of all courses available in each major and minor program. The year that a student begins classes will be their catalog year, meaning the requirements in the course catalog at that time are what they must complete to graduate.
Credit Hours: These numbers are assigned to each class you take and are cumulated on your road towards graduation. The typical class is worth 3 credit hours, and a standard semester consists of 12-15 credit hours (i.e. 4-5 classes a semester).
Cumulative Exam: An exam that includes all materials that have been covered in the class up to that point.
Dean: The head of a college within the university. The college houses each major and minor program. Examples at East Texas A&M can be found under the ‘College of‘ section.
Department Chair: The head of an individual academic department.
Doctorate degree: The most advanced degree you can earn, symbolizing that you have mastered a specific area of study or field of profession (ex: Ph.D, Ed.D)
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Students and their families complete and renew this form each year to determine eligibility for federal financial aid.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This legislation protects student data and ensures privacy. FERPA prohibits faculty and staff from speaking to parents about their child's academic performance. If you wish to access certain academic records, you may do so with your child's permission using the MyLEO platform at East Texas A&M and completing the proper form.
First-generation College Student: East Texas A&M defines this as a student whose parent/guardian has not earned a 4-year college degree in the United States.
Grant: This is a form of financial aid that a student does not have to pay back (Pell, TSSAC, and SEOG are common grants awarded to students).
Lecturer: A teacher ranking between an adjunct professor and professor, usually involving an extended, multiyear teaching contract.
Loan: This is a form of financial aid that a student must repay. Loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Repayment typically begins 6 months after graduation or 6 months after a student fails to remain enrolled in courses.
Major: This is a student's primary area of study. The majority of their classes will be focused on their major.
Master's degree: a degree that is given to a student by a college or university, usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor’s degree.
Master Promissory Note (MPN): This is a legal agreement that a student makes to repay their loans and any accrued interest and fees.
Minor: This is a student's secondary area of study. Students will take classes focused on their minor subject, but not as many as needed for their major. Minors are sometimes chosen to accompany a major.
Office Hours: Sometimes called “Student Hours,” these are dedicated times each week when faculty members are available to meet with students. These are great times for students to ask questions about the class material and upcoming assignments.
Parent Plus Loan: A student's parents can receive a loan to help pay for their student's tuition or educational expenses. This loan is similar to a conventional loan that the parent(s) may receive through their bank or other lending institution. It does not come with a deferment period like a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Student loan.
Prerequisite: Courses required to be completed before enrolling in advanced ones.
Provost: This person/office is in charge of academic performance on campus. They work alongside colleges, deans, and faculty to ensure quality academic departments.
Registrar: This is the person or office on campus in charge of all academic records, such as transcripts, course offerings, and graduation records.
Scholarships: Non-repayable financial aid from the university or external sources.
Student Accounts Office: This office assists with payments (cash, check, credit/debit), account balances, refunds, and financial aid disbursement. Payments can be made in person, online, or by mail.
Subsidized Student Loan: A student loan in which the Federal Government agrees to pay the interest that accrues over the life of the loan. Students must remain enrolled in courses and actively work toward degree completion to receive this deferment.
Syllabus: Every class has a syllabus, which is a document that outlines the objectives, goals, assignments, and rules of each class. Students should read the syllabus for each of their classes, as it contains valuable information that can help them succeed.
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships: This office, in conjunction with the Student Accounts Office, guides students through financial aid processes, including federal grants, Work-Study, and loans.
Unsubsidized Student Loan: A student loan in which interest begins to accrue immediately upon receiving the loan. The value of the loan and the total amount a student repays will be higher following graduation or failure to remain enrolled in classes.
Work-Study: A need-based program offering part-time jobs, subject to eligibility and limited funding.
