Bring on the alphabet soup!!
Here is a glossary to help you understand what all these terms mean.

ACT–American College Testing Assessment––Standardized test accepted by many colleges and universities. (See Testing Section)

AP–Advanced Placement–Program offered by the College Board. Student spends a year studying a subject and is tested. Passing the test may lead to advanced placement in a higher level course at college. (See Testing Section)

BJU–Bob Jones University–home to BJU Press that offers an excellent testing service as well as K–12 curriculum. (See Testing Section)

CAT–California Achievement Test–Nationally recognized standardized test. (See Testing Section)

CLEP–College Level Examination Program–Exams taken for college credit or advanced placement. (See Testing Section)

College Board–College Entrance Examination Board–National nonprofit association whose mission is to prepare, inspire and connect students to college and opportunity. They regulate and administer several college entrance and placement exams.

College catalog–published by each college or university to provide information on academic and non–academic programs, rules and regulations and admissions policy.

Common Application–an application form accepted by many colleges and universities. (See Gaining Admission Section)

Cumulative GPA–the grade point average for all classes taken during high school. (See Transcript and Record Keeping Section)

Duke Test–Duke University Talent Search Examination–test taken by some 7th grade students to identify academically talented children. (See Testing Section)

EFC–Expected Family Contribution–the amount of money the government estimates the student and his family can spend on education for the upcoming school year. (See Money for College Section under FAFSA)

Extra–Curricular Activities–those activities done outside of the "school" curriculum. Such as clubs, organizations, church activities, volunteer work, hobbies, etc.

FAFSA–Free Application for Federal Student Aid–the beginning point for applying for federal student aid. This is the financial aid application used by almost all colleges and is filed yearly. (See the Money for College Section)

Federal SEOG–Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant–gift–aid for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. The neediest students get Federal Pell Grants and Federal SEOG.

FFEL–Federal Family Education Loan Program–private lenders provide federally guaranteed loans including Stafford, PLUS and Consolidation Loans. (See the Money for College Section)

GPA–Grade Point Average–used on transcripts as a way to show the grades a student has earned. (See The Transcript and Record Keeping Section)

HSLDA–Home School Legal Defense Association–an organization that helps homeschoolers with legal matters.

Iowa Test–Iowa Test of Basic Skills–standardized test that is nationally recognized (See the Testing Section)

National Merit Scholarship–a prestigious award given yearly to 8,000 students across the U.S. Colleges frequently offer great scholarships to these students.

Pell Grant–federally funded grant available to financially needy undergraduate students. (See the Money for College Section)

Perkins Loan–federal loan offered by participating schools to provide students that demonstrate the most need with low–interest loans. (See the Money for College Section)

PIN–Personal Identification Number–each student and the parent filing the FAFSA must register for a number in order to electronically sign their FAFSA if they choose to file on-line. (See the Money for College Section)

PLUS Loans–Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students–federally guaranteed loan that allows parents to borrow to pay for educational expenses of their child (See the Money for College Section)

PSAT/NMSQT–Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test-a sort of practice SAT taken by juniors to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. (See the Testing Section)

Sallie Mae–the company that currently owns or manages student loans, primarily federally guaranteed student loans originated under FFELP.

SAR–Student Aid Report–the report sent to the student after filing the FAFSA. It confirms the information reported on the FAFSA and gives you your EFC. (See the Money for College Section)

SASE–Self addressed, stamped envelop.

SAT I– Scholastic Aptitude Test–standardized test accepted by many colleges. (See the Testing Section)

SAT II–Scholastic Aptitude Subject Tests–tests given for numerous subjects. These subject tests are often required by colleges and universities for admission and placement purposes (See the Testing Section)

SSIG–State Student Incentive Grant Program–federal money allocated to the states for funding higher education. Each state has an agency that handles this grant money. (See Money for College Section under State Grants.)

Stafford Loan–low interest federal loans available to students (See the Money for College Section)

Stanford Achievement Test–nationally recognized standardized test (See the Testing Section)

Subsidized Loan–a loan in which the Department of Education pays the interest payments while the student is in school and during grace and deferment periods. (See the Money for College Section)

Transcript–a list of classes the student has taken during high school. Includes credits earned, grades received and GPA (See the Transcript and Record Keeping Section

Universal Application–an application for admission to colleges that is accepted by many colleges and universities. (See the Gaining Admission Section)

Unsubsidized Loan–a loan in which the borrower is responsible for the interest during the entire life of the loan. (See the Money for College Section)

Work–Study–Federal Work-Study Program–jobs available to some financially needy college students. Generally on-campus jobs. (See the Money for College Section)