Your Guide to Admissions Language

Admission
Financial Aid
General
Offices
  • Admission Counselor
    A dedicated admissions staff member who guides you through the application, admission, and enrollment process. Your Admission Counselor is your primary point of contact for questions about McMurry and next steps.
  • Admission Decision
    The official outcome of your application review. Decisions typically include admission, denial, or other conditional offers.
  • Admitted
    Being admitted means the university believes you are prepared to succeed and is offering you enrollment.
  • Admitted on Probation
    Admission with specific academic conditions. Students may be required to meet certain performance standards during their first term.
  • Applicant
    A student who has submitted an application for admission.
  • Application
    The form students complete to apply to a college typically includes personal information, academic history, and activities.
  • Application Fee
    A fee some colleges require when submitting an application.
  • Application Portal
    An online platform where students can track their application status, review requirements, view decisions, and complete enrollment steps.
  • ApplyTexas
    A Texas-based application platform that allows students to apply to multiple participating Texas colleges at once.
  • Articulation Agreement
    A formal agreement between two institutions—often a community college and a university—that ensures specific courses transfer toward a degree.
  • Class Rank
    Your academic standing compared to classmates, based on GPA.
  • Campus Visit
    An opportunity to tour campus, meet faculty and staff, and experience student life in person.
  • Denial
    A decision indicating admission was not offered for that term. Students may reapply for a future semester.
  • Dual Credit
    College-level courses taken during high school that count toward both high school and college credit.
  • Early Action
    An early, non-binding application option that provides an earlier admission decision.
  • Entrance Exams
    Some colleges use standardized tests, such as the ACT or SAT, to evaluate college readiness.
  • Extracurricular Activities
    Involvement outside the classroom, including athletics, fine arts, community service, employment, or student organizations.
  • First-Time Freshman
    A student enrolling in college for the first time after high school graduation, even if they earned dual credit.
  • Gap Year
    A year is taken between high school graduation and the start of college.
  • GPA (Grade Point Average)
    The numerical average of your academic grades.
  • International Student
    A student who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident requires a student visa to study in the United States.
  • Letter of Recommendation
    A written evaluation from a teacher, coach, employer, or mentor highlighting your qualifications and character.
  • Post-Baccalaureate (Post-Bacc)
    A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree and is taking additional undergraduate coursework.
  • Prospective Student
    Someone considering enrollment but not yet admitted or enrolled.
  • Rolling Admission
    Applications are reviewed as they are received, rather than after a fixed deadline.
  • Student Visa
    A federal authorization is required for non-U.S. citizens coming to the United States to study.
  • Test Optional
    An admission policy allowing students to apply without submitting ACT or SAT scores.
  • Transcript
  • An official record of academic coursework and grades from a high school or college.
  • Transfer Student
    A student who previously enrolled at another college after high school and is applying to a new institution. Military members may also qualify as transfer students.
  • Transfer Credit
    College credit earned at another institution may apply toward your degree after a transcript evaluation.
  • Transient Student
    A student enrolled at one college who temporarily takes courses at another institution.
  • Virtual Tour
    An online experience that allows you to explore campus through videos, photos, or interactive tools.
  • Weighted GPA
    A GPA calculation that assigns additional points to advanced coursework such as AP, IB, or dual credit classes.
  • Award Notification (Financial Aid Offer Letter)
    Your award letter is a document from the Financial Aid Office outlining the types and amounts of financial aid you’ve been offered. McMurry’s notification also includes a breakdown of your estimated costs after financial aid is applied.
  • Cost of Attendance (COA)
    The Cost of Attendance is the estimated total cost of attending college for one academic year. It includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. COA provides a comprehensive estimate of the cost of attending McMurry.
  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
    Your EFC is an estimate—based on your FAFSA—of how much you and your family can contribute toward one year of college. It is not a bill. The EFC helps determine your eligibility for grants, loans, and other financial aid.
  • Entrance Counseling
    Entrance counseling is required before accepting federal Direct Loans. It explains how loans work, your rights and responsibilities, and repayment expectations.
  • FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
    The FAFSA is a free application used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs.
  • Fees
    Fees are charges not directly tied to tuition, such as orientation or other institutional services.
  • Financial Aid
    Financial aid includes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities that help cover college expenses.
  • Financial Need
    Financial need is the difference between your Cost of Attendance and your EFC.
  • FSA ID
    Your FSA ID is the username and password used to access the FAFSA and other federal student aid websites. Both the student and one parent (for dependent students) must create an FSA ID. This ID remains the same throughout your college career.
  • Grant
    A grant is financial aid awarded based on financial need and does not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA. Examples include the Pell Grant, TEG, and SEOG.
  • Independent Student
    An independent student does not need to provide parent information on the FAFSA. To qualify, a student must meet specific federal criteria (such as being 24 or older, married, a veteran, a graduate student, supporting dependents, or meeting other qualifying conditions). Students who do not meet these criteria must file as dependent students.
  • Interest
    Interest is the cost of borrowing money and is added to the total amount of a loan.
  • Loan
    Loans are borrowed funds that must be repaid. Most federal student loans do not require payments while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
  • Federal Direct Loan
    A federal student loan is borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education.
  • PLUS Loan (Parent PLUS Loan)
    A federal loan that parents of dependent students may use to help cover educational expenses.
  • Subsidized Loan
    A federal loan that does not accrue interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time.
  • Unsubsidized Loan
    A federal loan that begins accruing interest as soon as it is disbursed.
  • Master Promissory Note (MPN)
    A legally binding document in which you agree to repay your federal student loan and acknowledge the terms and conditions.
  • Merit-Based Aid
    Financial aid is awarded based on achievement, such as academic, athletic, or fine arts accomplishments.
  • Need-Based Aid
    Financial aid is awarded based on economic circumstances rather than academic performance.
  • Net Price Calculator
    An online tool that provides an estimate of your out-of-pocket cost after financial aid based on basic financial information.
  • Prior-Prior Year
    The FAFSA uses tax information from two years before the academic year you plan to attend college.
  • Room & Board
    The combined cost of on-campus housing and a meal plan.
  • Scholarship
    A scholarship is financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships may be awarded based on merit or other criteria and granted by McMurry or outside organizations.
  • Exceptional Circumstances
    If your family’s financial situation has changed since the tax year reported on your FAFSA, you may request a review. Contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss your options.
  • TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)
    A free application for Texas residents who are not eligible to file the FAFSA but may qualify for state financial aid.
  • Tuition
    The cost of enrolling in classes at the university.
  • Verification
    A federal process in which selected students must submit additional documentation to confirm FAFSA information before financial aid can be finalized.
  • Work-Study
    A federal program that provides part-time employment opportunities for students with financial need. Students earn wages that can help cover educational expenses. Non-work-study campus jobs are also available.

  • Academic Advisor
    A student’s primary contact for questions about classes, degree requirements, and progress toward graduation. Advisors assist with course registration each semester and may be faculty members or professional staff.

  • Academic Year
    One full school year, typically beginning in August (Fall) and ending in May (Spring) or July (Summer). Financial aid is generally awarded on an academic-year basis.

  • Commuter Student
    A student enrolled in classes who lives off campus.

  • Core Curriculum
    Required courses that all students complete to build a broad academic foundation across multiple subject areas.

  • Credit Hour
    A unit that measures the amount of academic credit earned for a course. Most classes are 3 credit hours, typically meeting for about 3 hours per week.

  • Double Major
    Pursuing two primary fields of study and completing the required coursework for both majors.

  • Elective
    A course not required for your degree but chosen based on your interests.

  • Enrollment
    The process of officially registering for classes.

  • First-Generation Student
    A student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college degree.

  • Full-Time / Part-Time
    Full-time students typically enroll in 1215 credit hours per semester. Part-time students take fewer than 12 credit hours.

  • Graduate Student
    A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree and is pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.

  • Intramurals
    Recreational sports programs where students compete against other students on campus.

  • Major
    Your primary field of academic study.

  • Minor
    A secondary area of study requiring fewer courses than a major.

  • Non-Citizen Other
    For McMurry purposes, a student living in the U.S. without a visa or citizenship status. Citizenship status does not impact admission decisions.

  • Orientation
    An event designed to introduce new students to academics, campus resources, and student life before the start of classes.

  • Placement Test
    An assessment used to determine appropriate course placement for your first semester.

  • Prerequisite
    A required course that must be completed before enrolling in a more advanced course.

  • RA (Resident Assistant)
    A trained student leader who lives in the residence halls to support students and promote community standards.

  • RD (Resident Director)
    A professional staff member who oversees residence hall operations and student support.

  • Residence Hall
    On-campus housing where students live during the academic year.

  • Semester
    An academic term, such as Fall or Spring, during which courses are offered.

  • SOAR (Student Orientation and Registration)
    McMurry’s summer event, where new students register for classes, meet with Financial Aid, and prepare for campus life.

  • Undergraduate
    A student pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

  • Welcome Week
    The week before Fall classes begin, featuring move-in and activities designed to help new students transition to campus life and build community.

  • Admission Office
    The primary resource for prospective students and applicants. Located in the Furr Welcome Center and Radford, the Admission Office assists with applications, campus visits, and enrollment questions.

  • Financial Aid Office
    Provides guidance and support to help make college affordable. The office reviews FAFSA submissions, awards financial aid, and answers questions about scholarships, grants, loans, and payment options.

  • Registrar’s Office
    Manages official academic records and student enrollment information. Located in Maedgen, the Registrar assists with course schedules, transcripts, grades, and graduation requirements.

  • Student Accounts Office
    Handles billing and tuition payments. Located in Maedgen, this office helps students review account balances, enroll in payment plans, and process payments.

  • TRIO Student Support Services
    A federally funded program that supports eligible students who are first-generation, income-qualified, or have a documented disability. TRIO provides academic advising, tutoring, financial aid guidance, graduate school preparation, and other support services at no cost to participants.