First Generation Students

Academic Advisor 
A staff or faculty member assigned to help you choose classes and stay on track to graduate. You’ll meet with them every semester. 

Academic Progress Checks (APCs) 
Twice a semester, students are provided faculty feedback on their performance. Students may receive kudos or flags; flagged students should consult their professor to improve.  

Add/Drop Period 
The first week or two of a semester when you can still change your class schedule without penalty. 

Course Catalog 
The official, comprehensive list of all courses taught at an educational institution or training program. It acts as a master directory and includes key details like course descriptions, credit values, prerequisites, and grade levels.  

Credit Hour 
A unit that measures how much a class “counts.” Most classes are 3 credit hours. You typically need around 120 credit hours to graduate. 

Freshman Seminar 
Freshmen students will have the opportunity to take GSC101, a one-credit-hour course co-taught by a faculty advisor and an upperclassman. This course is designed to give students the opportunity to adjust to college in a small, supportive environment while also learning important skills such as course scheduling, degree planning, and effective time management. Students who belong to one of our Programs of Distinction will be placed in specially designed sections of GSC101 with students in their cohort. 

GPA 
Grade Point Average. A number, usually on a 4.0 scale, that measures your average grade across all your classes. 

Lower-Level Courses 
Lower-level courses are numbered 100 and 200. They require no or limited prerequisites. They are introductory courses or part of a series of basic courses in a discipline. 

Major/Minor 
Your major is your main area of study. A minor is a smaller, secondary area of focus — not required, but sometimes useful. 

Office Hours 
Set times when a professor is available in their office just to talk with students about the class, career advice, anything. It’s free help; use it. 

Prerequisites 
A class you must complete before you’re allowed to register for a more advanced one. 

Syllabus 
A document each professor gives you that lays out the whole course — what you’ll learn, when assignments are due, and how you’re graded. Read it closely; it’s basically the rulebook for that class. 

Transcript 
The official record of every class and grade you’ve earned. You’ll need this for jobs, grad school, and transferring credits. 

Upper-Level Courses 
Upper-level courses are numbered 300 and 400. They build on the knowledge and skills developed in lower-level courses; students have increased responsibility for their own learning. 

Cost of Attendance (COA) 
The full estimated cost of a year at college: tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses. This is the number your financial aid gets measured against, not just tuition. 

FAFSA 
Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The form that determines what grants, loans, and work-study you qualify for. You fill it out every year. 

Financial Aid Package 
The combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study the college offers to help you pay for school. 

Grant 
Money you don’t pay back, usually based on financial need (e.g., the federal Pell Grant). 

Payment Plan 
An option to split your semester bill into smaller monthly payments rather than paying it all at once. 

Scholarship 
Money you don’t pay back, usually based on merit, talent, or a specific identity/interest. 

Subsidized Loan 
A federal loan where the government pays the interest while you’re in school. Cheaper than unsubsidized loans. 

Tuition vs. Fees 
Tuition pays for instruction; fees are separate charges for things like technology, activities, or health services. Your bill often lists them separately. 

Unsubsidized Loan 
A federal loan where interest starts accumulating immediately, even while you’re still in school. 

Work-study 
A financial aid program that lets you earn money through a part-time campus job, often in a field connected to your interests. 

ResLife 
Residence Life Office (ResLife) manages all Residence Life and Housing, located on the third floor of the Cralle Student Center, including offices for the Director, Assistant Director, Housing Coordinator, and Area Coordinators. We ensure your living environment is comfortable and safe. 

ACs 
Area Coordinators (ACs) are live-in Residence Life staff overseeing multiple halls, supervising RHCs & RAs. They support serious concerns, handle complex situations, conduct processes, and provide guidance. They also run residential education programs. All ACs are available by appointment. 

RHCs 
Residence Hall Coordinators (RHCs) are live-in upperclassmen staff overseeing residence halls. They supervise and support Resident Assistants (RAs), hold weekly on-call hours, organize programs, meetings, group chats, safety procedures, and address student concerns. 

RAs 
Resident Assistants (RAs) are student staff living on each floor who help you adjust to campus, build community, plan events, enforce standards, and connect you with campus resources. 

LRC 
Abbreviation for the Ensor Learning Resource Center. The LRC, GC’s library, is a main campus hub with classrooms, study spaces, art galleries, the Mulberry Café, and more.  

The Bookie 
A 24-hour study space equipped with study spaces, printers, whiteboards, and copiers for those all-night studying sessions; located in the LRC. 

The Quad 
Most of GC’s dorms are on what is referred to as South Campus. In the middle of these dorms is a grassy area known as the Quad. On a nice day, you will find GC students hanging out together in this area. It’s home to events such as Grubfest and Homecoming brunches. 

Songfest 
A GC tradition that takes place during the spring semester. It is a competition centered on a theme chosen by the student body, complete with singing, a skit written by the students, dancing, and more. 

GAC 
The Georgetown Activities Council assists Student Life in brainstorming, planning, and presenting fun events. 

NEXUS 
Nexus events allow students to earn credit for attending cultural events, chapels, and even travel. 48 Nexus Credits are required for graduation. 

SGA 
The Student Government Association (SGA) serves as the students’ voice, promoting initiatives, events, and information while supporting registered clubs with opportunity, funding, and guidance.