2022-2023 Prescott

A1. Address Information

• Name of College or University: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott
• Mailing Address: 3700 Willow Creek Rd.
• City/State/Zip/Country: Prescott, AZ 86301
• Main Phone Number: 928-777-6600
• WWW Homepage Address: www.erau.edu
• Admissions Phone Number: 928-777-6600
• Admissions Toll-Free Number: 800-862-2416
• Admissions Office Mailing Address: 3700 Willow Creek Rd.
• City/State/Zip/Country: Prescott, AZ 86301
• Admissions Email Address: Prescott@erau.edu
• URL for Online Application: https://prescott.erau.edu/admissions/undergraduate

A2. Source of Institutional Control

Private (nonprofit)

A3. Undergraduate Institutional Classification

Coeducational College

A4. Academic Year Calendar

Semester

A5. Degrees Offered

• Bachelor's
• Master's

A6. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

If the institution has a diversity, equity and inclusion office or department, please provide the URL of the corresponding web page:

• https://prescott.erau.edu/campus-life/women-diversity

B1. Institutional Enrollment — Men and Women

Below are the numbers of undergraduate students as of the institution’s official fall reporting date or as of October 19, 2022.

Note: Students formerly designated as "first professional" are reported in the graduate cells.

View information on Reporting Study Abroad Students.

Undergraduate Students

	Full-Time Men	Full-Time Women	Part-Time Men	Part-Time Women
Degree-seeking, first-time freshmen students	529	227	0	0
Other first-year, degree-seeking students	97	27	5	2
All other degree-seeking undergraduate students	1,516	574	113	24
Total degree-seeking undergraduate students	2,142	828	118	26
All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses	0	0	6	0
Total undergraduates	2,142	828	124	26

• Total All Undergraduates: 3,120
• Total All Graduate: 42
• Grand Total All Students: 3,162

B2. Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity

Below are the numbers of undergraduate students as of the institution’s official fall reporting date or as of October 19, 2022.

International students are included in the "Nonresident" category.

This is reported as the institution reports to IPEDS: Persons who are Hispanic are reported only on the "Hispanic" line, not under any race, and persons who are non-Hispanic multi-racial are reported only under "Two or more races."

Racial/ethnic destinations are requested only for United States citizens, residents and other eligible non-citizens. Eligible non-citizens include all students who completed high school or a GED equivalency within the United States (including DACA and undocumented students) and who were not an F-1 non-immigrant student visa at the time of high school graduation.
More information about other eligible (for financial aid purposes) non-citizens is available at https://studentaid.gov/understandaid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens.

A "nonresident" is defined as person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a student visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. DACA, undocumented or other eligible noncitizens are not included in this category. "Nonresidents" are reported separately rather than included in any of the seven racial/ethnic categories or in race/ethnicity unknown.

B3. Persistence

Number of degrees awarded from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022:

• Bachelor's degrees: 541
• Master's degrees: 13

B4-B21. Graduation Rates

The items in this section correspond to data elements collected by the IPEDS Web-Based Data Collection System’s Graduation Rate Survey (GRS). For complete instructions and definitions of data elements, see the IPEDS GRS Forms and Instructions for the 2022-23 Survey.

In the following section for bachelor’s or equivalent programs, the Fall 2015 and Fall 2016 cohorts (formerly CDS B4-B11) have been disaggregated into four groups:

• Students who received a Federal Pell Grant.
• Recipients of a subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant.
• Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan.
• Total (all students, regardless of Pell Grant or subsidized loan status).

Students who received both a Federal Pell Grant and a subsidized Stafford Loan are reported in the "Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant" column.

For each graduation rate grid below, the numbers in the first three columns for Questions A-G should sum to the cohort total in the fourth column (formerly CDS B4-B11).

B22. Retention Rates

Report for the cohort of all full-time, first-time bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered in Fall 2021 (or the preceding summer term). The initial cohort may be adjusted for students who departed for the following reasons:

• Death
• Permanent disability
• Service in the armed forces
• Foreign aid service of the federal government
• Official church missions

No other adjustments to the initial cohort have been made.

For the cohort of all full-time bachelor’s (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered your institution as freshmen in Fall 2021 (or the preceding summer term), what percentage was enrolled at your institution as of the date your institution calculates its official enrollment in Fall 2022?

78.20%

C1-C2: Applications

C1. First-time, first-year students:

The number of degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who applied, were admitted and enrolled (full- or part-time) in Fall 2022.

• Includes early decision, early action and students who began studies during summer in this cohort.
• Applicants include only those students who fulfilled the requirements for consideration for admission (i.e., who completed actionable applications) and who have been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution).
• Admitted applicants include wait-listed students who were subsequently offered admission.
• Note: Recent high school graduates and other students without prior postsecondary experience will still be considered "first-time students" for fall enrollment reporting purposes even if they enrolled in the summer prior to fall enrollment.

C2. Freshman waitlisted students:

Students who met admission requirements but whose final admission was contingent on space availability.

Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list?

No.

C3-C5: Admissions Requirements

C3. High school completion requirement:

High school diploma is required, and GED is accepted.

C4. Does your institution require or recommend a general college-preparatory program for degree-seeking students?

Require.

C5. Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended:

Specify the distribution of academic high school course units required and/or recommended of all or most degree-seeking students using Carnegie units (one unit equals one year of study or its equivalent).

C6-C7: Basis for Selection

C6. Do you have an open admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores or other qualifications?

No.

C7. Relative importance of academic and nonacademic factors in first-time, first-year, degree-seeking admission decisions:

Academic Factors (ranked on a scale of Very Important, Important, Considered and Not Considered):

• Rigor of secondary school record: Important
• Class rank: Important
• Academic GPA: Very Important
• Standardized test scores: Considered
• Application essay: Considered
• Recommendation(s): Considered

Non-Academic Factors (ranked on a scale of Very Important, Important, Considered and Not Considered):

• Interview: Considered
• Extracurricular activities: Important
• Talent/ability: Important
• Character/personal qualities: Important
• First generation: Not Considered
• Alumni/ae relation: Considered
• Geographical residence: Not Considered
• State residency: Not Considered
• Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered
• Racial/ethnic status: Not Considered
• Volunteer work: Not Considered
• Work experience: Considered
• Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered

C8. SAT and ACT Policies

Does your institution make use of SAT, ACT or SAT Subject Test scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants?

Yes.

SAT or ACT (for use in admission for Fall 2023):

Recommend. 

Use of SAT or ACT Essay Component:

No college policy as of now.

In addition, does your institution use applicants' test score for academic advising?

No.

Tests Used for Placement (e.g., state tests):

• AP
• CLEP
• Institutional Exam

C9-C12: First-Time, First-Year Profile

C9. Percent and number of first-time, first-year students enrolled in Fall 2022 who submitted national standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores:

For each assessment listed below, report the score that represents the 25th percentile (the score that 25 percent of the freshman population scored at or below) and the 75th percentile score (the score that 25 percent scored at or above).

Percent of first-time, first-year students with scores in each range:

C10. Percent of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year students who had high school class rank within each of the following ranges:

D1-D2: Fall Applicants

D1. Does your institution enroll transfer students?

Yes.

May transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from coursework completed at other colleges/universities?

Yes.

D2. Number of students who applied, were admitted and enrolled as degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2022:

D3-D11: Application for Admission

D3. Terms for which transfers may enroll:

• Fall
• Spring
• Summer

D4. Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering freshman?

Yes.

What is the minimum number of credits?

12 per credit hour.

D5. Items required of transfer students to apply for admission:

• High school transcript: Required of some
• College transcript(s): Required of all
• Essay or personal statement: Not required
• Interview: Not required
• Standardized test scores: Not required
• Statement of good standing from prior institution(s): Required of some

D6. Minimum high school grade point average required of transfer applicants (on a 4.0 scale):

N/A

D7. Minimum college GPA required of transfer applicants:

2.0

D8. Any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants:

N/A

D9. Application priority, closing, notification and candidate reply dates for transfer students:

D10. Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students?

N/A

D11. Additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:

N/A

D12-D17: Transfer Credit Policies

D12. Lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:

2.0

D13. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution:

N/A

D14. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution:

N/A

D15. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at institution to earn an associate degree:

N/A

D16. Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at institution:

N/A

D17. Other transfer credit policies:

N/A

D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies

D18. What military/veteran transfer credits does your institution accept?

• American Council on Education (ACE)
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

D19. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE):

N/A

D20. Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)):

N/A

D21. Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?

Yes.

View the Undergraduate Admission section of the ERAU Catalog

D22. Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution:

N/A

E1. Special Study Options

• Accelerated program
• Double major
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Honors Program
• Internships
• Student-designed major
• Study abroad
• Undergraduate Research

E2. Has been removed from the CDS.

E3. Areas in Which All or Most Students Are Required To Complete Some Course Work Prior to Graduation

• Computer literacy
• English (including composition)
• Mathematics
• Sciences (biological or physical)
• Social Science

F1. Percentages of First-Time, First-Year Degree-Seeking Students and Degree-Seeking Undergraduates Enrolled in Fall 2022 Who Fit the Following Categories

F2. Activities Offered

• Campus Ministries
• Choral groups
• International Student Organization
• Jazz band
• Model UN
• Music ensembles
• Pep band
• Radio station
• Student government
• Student newspaper
• Student-run film society

F3. ROTC (Program Offered in Cooperation With Reserve Officers' Training Corps)

• Army ROTC (on campus)
• Naval ROTC (at cooperating institution)
• Air Force ROTC (on campus)

F4. Housing

Types of college-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing available for undergraduates at your institution:

• Coed residence halls
• Living Learning Communities

G0. 2023-2024 Academic Year Costs of Attendance for the Following Categories That Are Applicable to Institution

View the Net Price Calculator for the Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus.

G1. Typical Tuition, Required Fees, and Room and Board for a Full-Time Undergraduate Student for the Full 2023-2024 Academic Year

• A full academic year refers to the period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to two semesters, two trimesters, three quarters or the period covered by a four-one-four plan.
• Room and board is defined as double occupancy and 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan.
• Required fees include only charges that all full-time students must pay that are not included in tuition (e.g., registration, health or activity fees.)
• Does not include optional fees (e.g., parking, laboratory use).

Comprehensive tuition and room and board fee (if your college cannot provide separate tuition and room and board fees):

N/A

G2. Number of Credits Per Term a Student Can Take for the Stated Full-Time Tuition

• Minimum: 12
• Maximum: 16

G3. Do tuition and fees vary by year of study (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior)?

No.

G4. Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program?

No.

G5. Estimated Expenses for a Typical Full-Time Undergraduate Student

G6. Undergraduate Per-Credit-Hour Charges (Tuition Only)

• Private institutions: $1,695

Definitions

• Awarded aid
  The dollar amounts offered to financial aid applicants.
• Financial aid applicant
  Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA.
• Indebtedness
  Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the student and should be included.
• Institutional scholarships and grants
  Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants for which the institution determines the recipient.
• Financial need
  As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.
• Need-based aid
  College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and noninstitutional student aid (grants, jobs and loans).
• Need-based scholarship or grant aid
  Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify.
• Need-based self-help aid
  Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial need to qualify.
• Non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
  Scholarships and grants, gifts or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit or any other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-based aid.
• Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:
• Non-need institutional grants.
• Non-need tuition waivers.
• Non-need athletic awards.
• Non-need federal grants.
• Non-need state grants.
• Non-need outside grants.
• Non-need student loans.
• Non-need parent loans.
• Non-need work.
• Non-need-based self-help aid
  Loans and jobs from institutional, state or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial need to qualify.
• Private student loans
  A nonfederal loan made by a lender such as a bank, credit union or private lender used to pay for up to the annual cost of education, less any financial aid received.
• External scholarships and grants
  Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that students bring with them (e.g., Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount.
• Work study and employment
  Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.

This does not include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.

H1-H5: Aid Awarded to Enrolled Undergraduates

H1. Total dollar amounts awarded to enrolled full-time and less-than-full-time degree-seeking undergraduates:

Uses the same cohort reported in CDS Question B1 ("total degree-seeking" undergraduates) and includes aid awarded to international students (i.e., those not qualifying for federal aid). Aid that is non-need-based but that was used to meet need is reported in the need-based aid column.

This does not include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Academic year for which data are reported for items H1, H2, H2A and H6 below:

2022-2023 estimated.

Needs-analysis methodology used in awarding institutional aid (formerly H3):

Federal methodology (FM).

H2. Number of enrolled students awarded aid:

Number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who applied for and were awarded financial aid from any source. Non-need-based aid that was used to meet need is counted as need-based aid. Numbers reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.

Students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshmen are also counted as full-time undergraduates.

This does not include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.

H2A. Number of enrolled students awarded non-need-based scholarships and grants:

The number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. Numbers reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.

Students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshmen are also counted as full-time undergraduates.

This does not include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.

H3. Incorporated into H1 above:

Note: These are the graduates and loan types to include and exclude in order to fill out CDS H4 and H5.

Include:

• 2022 undergraduate class: all students who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.
• Only loans made to students who borrowed while enrolled at your institution.
• Co-signed loans.

Exclude:

• Students who transferred in.
• Money borrowed at other institutions.
• Parent loans.
• Students who did not graduate or who graduated with another degree or certificate (but no bachelor's degree).
• Any aid related to the CARE Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.

H4. Number of students in the 2022 undergraduate class who started at institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. Exclude students who transferred into your institution:

N/A

H5. Number and percent of students in class (defined in H4 above) borrowed from federal, non-federal and any loan source, and the average (or mean) amount borrowed:

• The “Average per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed” is designed to provide better information about student borrowing from federal and nonfederal (institutional, state, commercial) sources.
• The numbers, percentages and averages for each row should be based only on the loan source specified for the particular row. For example, the federal loans average (row B) should only be the cumulative average of federal loans, and the private loans average (row E) should only be the cumulative average of private loans.

H6-H7: Aid to Undergraduate Degree-Seeking Nonresident Aliens

H6. Policy regarding institutional scholarship and grant aid for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens:

Institutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available.

H7. Financial aid forms that nonresident alien first-year financial aid applicants must submit:

N/A

H8-H11: Process for First-Year Students

H8. Financial aid forms domestic first-year financial aid applicants must submit:

FAFSA.

H9. Filing dates for first-year students:

Priority date for filing required financial aid forms:

N/A

H10. Notification dates for first-year students:

Students notified on a rolling basis with a starting date of:

May 1.

H11. Reply dates:

Students must reply within:

Four weeks of notification.

H12-H15: Types of Aid Available

H12. Federal Direct Student Loan Program (Direct Loan):

• Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans
• Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
• Direct PLUS Loans

H13. Need-based scholarships and grants:

• Federal Pell
• SEOG
• State scholarships/grants
• Private scholarships
• College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds

H14. Criteria used in awarding institutional aid:

H15. Recently implemented major financial aid policy, program or initiative to make institution more affordable to income students, such as replacing loans with grants or waiving costs for families below a certain income level:

N/A

Are these policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

N/A

I1. Number of Instructional Faculty Members in Each Category for Fall 2022, Including Faculty Who Are on Payroll on the Census Date Used for IPEDS/AAUP.

The following definition of full-time instructional faculty is used by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in its annual Faculty Compensation Survey (the part-time definitions are not used by AAUP). Instructional Faculty is defined as those members of the instructional-research staff whose major regular assignment is instruction, including those with released time for research. The chart below lists inclusions and exclusions:

• Full-time instructional faculty
  Faculty employed on a full-time basis for instruction (including those with released time for research).
• Part-time instructional faculty
  Adjuncts and other instructors being paid solely for part-time classroom instruction. Also includes full-time faculty teaching less than two semesters, three quarters, two trimesters or two four-month sessions. Employees who are not considered full-time instruction faculty but who teach one or more non-clinical credit courses may be counted as part-time faculty.
• Minority faculty
  Includes faculty who designate themselves as Black, non-Hispanic; American Indian or Alaska Native; Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.
• Doctorate
  Includes such degrees as Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Education, Doctor of Juridical Science and Doctor of Public Health in any field such as arts, sciences, education, engineering, business and public administration. Also includes terminal degrees formerly designated as “first professional,” including dentistry (DDS or DMD), medicine (MD), optometry (OD), osteopathic medicine (DO), pharmacy (DPharm or BPharm), podiatric medicine (DPM), veterinary medicine (DVM), chiropractic (DC or DCM) or law (JD).
• Terminal master's degree
  A master’s degree that is considered the highest degree in a field: i.e., M. Arch (in architecture) and MFA (master of fine arts in art or theater).

I2. Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Report the Fall 2022 ratio of full-time equivalent students (full-time plus 1/3 part-time) to full-time equivalent instructional faculty (full-time plus 1/3 part-time). In the ratio calculations, exclude both faculty and students in stand-alone graduate or professional programs such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry, social work, business or public health in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students.

Do not count undergraduate or graduate student teaching assistants as faculty.

Fall 2022 Student-to-Faculty ratio:

17 to 1 (based on 3,060 students and 178 faculty).

I3. Undergraduate Class Size

The following definitions have been used to report about the size of classes and class sections offered in the Fall 2022 term (includes classes that have been moved online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic).

• Class Sections
  A class section is an organized course offered for credit, identified by discipline and number, meeting at a stated time or times in a classroom or similar setting, and not a subsection such as a laboratory or discussion session. Undergraduate class sections are defined as any sections in which at least one degree-seeking undergraduate student is enrolled for credit. Exclude distance learning classes and noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis research, music instruction or one-to-one readings. Exclude students in independent study, co-operative programs, internships, foreign language taped tutor sessions, practicums and all students in one-on-one classes. Each class section should be counted only once and should not be duplicated because of course catalog cross-listings.
• Class Subsections
  A class subsection includes any subsection of a course, such as laboratory, recitation and discussion subsections that are supplementary in nature and are scheduled to meet separately from the lecture portion of the course. Undergraduate subsections are defined as any subsections of courses in which degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled for credit. As above, exclude noncredit classes and individual instruction such as dissertation or thesis research, music instruction or one-to-one readings. Each class subsection should be counted only once and should not be duplicated because of cross-listings.

Below is a report of the number of class sections and class subsections offered in Fall 2022. For example, a lecture class with 800 students who met at another time in 40 separate labs with 20 students are counted once in the “100+” column in the class section column and 40 times under the “20-29” column of the class subsections table.

Number of Class Sections With Undergraduates Enrolled:

Class Types	2-9	10-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-99	100+	Total
Class Sections	63	152	261	113	22	12	2	625
Class Subsections	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

J1. Degrees Conferred Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022

For each of the following discipline areas, provide the percentage of diplomas/certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees awarded. To determine the percentage, use majors, not headcount (e.g., students with one degree but a double major will be represented twice). Calculate the percentage from your institution’s IPEDS Completions by using the sum of first and second majors for each CIP code as the numerator and the sum of the grand total by first majors and the grand total by second majors as the denominator. If you prefer, you can compute the percentages using first majors only.

All definitions related to the financial aid section appear at the end of the Definitions document.

• Academic advisement ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty member or a trained adviser, who, through regular meetings, helps the student plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and vocational goals.
• Accelerated program
  Completion of a college program of study in fewer than the usual number of years, most often by attending summer sessions and carrying extra courses during the regular academic term.
• Admitted student
  Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at your institution.
• Adult student services ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Admission assistance, support orientation and other services expressly for adults who have started college for the first time or who are re-entering after a lapse of a few years.
• American Indian or Alaska Native
  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment.
• Applicant (first-time, first-year)
  An individual who has fulfilled the institution’s requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution).
• Application fee
  That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student’s application for acceptance. This amount is not creditable toward tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
• Asian
  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Associate degree
  An award that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time equivalent college work.
• Bachelor’s degree
  An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education) that normally requires at least four years but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes all bachelor’s degrees conferred in a five-year cooperative (work-study plan) program. (A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies.) Also, it includes bachelor’s degrees in which the normal four years of work are completed in three years.
• Black or African American
  A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.
• Board (charges)
  Assume average cost for 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan.
• Books and supplies (costs)
  Average cost of books and supplies. Do not include unusual costs for special groups of students (e.g., engineering or art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at your institution.
• Calendar system
  The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.
• Campus Ministry
  Religious student organizations (denominational or nondenominational) devoted to fostering religious life on college campuses. May also refer to Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Christian organization.
• Career and placement services ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  A range of services, including (often) the following: coordination of visits of employers to campus; aptitude and vocational testing; interest inventories; personal counseling; help in resume writing, interviewing and launching the job search; listings for those students desiring employment and those seeking permanent positions; establishment of a permanent reference folder; and career resource materials.
• Carnegie units
  One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school subject.
• Certificate
  See "Postsecondary award, certificate or diploma."
• Class rank
  The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-point average, whether weighted or unweighted.
• College-preparatory program
  Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study.
• Common Application
  The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for a large number of private colleges who are members of the Common Application Group.
• Community service program ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Referral center for students wishing to perform volunteer work in the community or participate in volunteer activities coordinated by academic departments.
• Commuter
  A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned by, operated by or affiliated with the college. This category includes students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to attend college.
• Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities
  Programs designed to support postsecondary students with intellectual disabilities obtain instruction in academic, career and technical, and independent living subjects in preparation for employment.
• Clock hour
  A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as contact hour.
• Continuous basis (for program enrollment)
  A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that enroll students at any time during the academic year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school might allow students to enroll and begin studies at various times, with no requirement that classes begin on a certain date.
• Cooperative education program
  A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry or government.
• Cooperative housing
  College-owned, -operated or -affiliated housing in which students share room and board expenses and participate in household chores to reduce living expenses.
• Counseling service ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career or personal development.
• Credit
  Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate or recognized postsecondary credential.
• Credit course
  A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate or other recognized postsecondary credential.
• Credit hour
  A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate or recognized postsecondary credential.
• Cross-registration
  A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may take courses at another institution without having to apply to the second institution.
• Deferred admission
  The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one year.
• Degree
  An award conferred by a college, university or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.
• Degree-seeking students
  Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
• Differs by program (calendar system)
  A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational programs of varying length. These schools may enroll students at specific times depending on the program desired. For example, a school might offer a two-month program in January, March, May, September and November, and a three-month program in January, April and October.
• Diploma
  See "Postsecondary award, certificate or diploma."
• Distance learning
  An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses or other means.
• Doctor’s degree — research/scholarship
  A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master’s level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., D.M and others, as designated by the awarding institution.
• Doctor’s degree — professional practice
  A doctor’s degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first-professional” and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) and others, as designated by the awarding institution.
• Doctor’s degree — other
  A doctor’s degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor’s degree research/scholarship or a doctor’s degree professional practice.
• Double major
  Program in which students may complete two undergraduate programs of study simultaneously.
• Dual enrollment
  A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.
• Early action plan
  An admission plan that allows students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification dates. If admitted, the candidate is not committed to enroll; the student may reply to the offer under the college’s regular reply policy.
• Early admission
  A policy under which students who have not completed high school are admitted and enroll full-time in college, usually after completion of their junior year.
• Early decision plan
  A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision (and financial aid offer, if applicable) well in advance of the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of admission and, if admitted, to withdraw their applications from other colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants: admitted, denied or not admitted but forwarded for consideration with the regular applicant pool without prejudice.
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
  A course of study designed specifically for students whose native language is not English.
• Exchange student program — domestic
  Any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a semester or more at another college in the United States without extending the amount of time required for a degree. See also "Study abroad."
• External degree program
  A program of study in which students earn credits toward a degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency examinations and personal experience. External degree programs require minimal or no classroom attendance.
• Extracurricular activities (as admission factor)
  Special consideration in the admissions process given for participation in both school and nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs, hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts, etc.
• First-time student
  A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credit earned before graduation from high school).
• First-time, first-year student
  A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).
• First-year student
  A student who has completed less than the equivalent of one full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30 semester hours (in a 120-hour degree program) or less than 900 clock hours.
• Full-time student (undergraduate)
  A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.
• Geographical residence (as admission factor)
  Special consideration in the admission process given to students from a particular region, state or country of residence.
• Grade-point average (academic high school GPA)
  The sum of grade points a student has earned in secondary school divided by the number of courses taken. The most common system of assigning numbers to grades counts four points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, one point for a D and no points for an E or F. Unweighted GPAs assign the same weight to each course. Weighting gives students additional points for their grades in advanced or honors courses.
• Graduate student
  A student who holds a bachelor’s or equivalent and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.
• Health services ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys. Free or low-cost on-campus primary and preventive healthcare available to students.
• High school diploma or recognized equivalent
  A document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed secondary school program of studies or the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED) or another state-specified examination.
• Hispanic or Latino
  A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
• Honors program
  Any special program for very able students offering the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration or some combination of these.
• Independent study
  Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor’s supervision and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure.
• In-state tuition
  The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements.
• International student
  See "Nonresident alien."
• International student group
  Student groups that facilitate cultural dialogue, support a diverse campus, assist international students in acclimation and create a social network.
• Internship
  Any short-term, supervised work experience, usually related to a student’s major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, and paid or unpaid.
• Learning center ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops, computer programs or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing, math and skills such as taking notes, managing time and taking tests.
• Legal services ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys. Free or low-cost legal advice for a range of issues (personal and other).
• Liberal arts/career combination
  Program in which a student earns undergraduate degrees in two separate fields, one in a liberal arts major and the other in a professional or specialized major, whether on campus or through cross‑registration.
• Living learning community
  Residential programs that allow students to interact with students who share common interests. In addition to living together, students may also participate in shared courses, special events and group service projects.
• Master's degree
  An award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of generally one or two full-time equivalent academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in Theology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classified as "first-professional," may require more than two full-time equivalent academic years of work.
• Minority affiliation (as admission factor)
  Special consideration in the admission process for members of designated racial/ethnic minority groups.
• Minority student center ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Center with programs, activities and/or services intended to enhance the college experience of students of color.
• Model United Nations
  A simulation activity focusing on conflict resolution, globalization and diplomacy. Assuming roles as foreign ambassadors and “delegates,” students conduct research, engage in debate, draft resolutions and may participate in a national Model UN conference.
• Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.
• New student orientation ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Orientation addressing the academic, social, emotional and intellectual issues involved in beginning college. May be a few hours or a few days in length; at some colleges, there is a fee.
• Nonresident alien
  A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely.
• On-campus daycare ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Licensed daycare for students’ children (usually age three and up), usually for a fee.
• Open admission
  Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores or other qualifications.
• Other expenses (costs)
  Include average costs for clothing, laundry, entertainment, medical (if not a required fee) and furnishings.
• Out-of-state tuition
  The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution’s or state’s residency requirements.
• Part-time student (undergraduate)
  A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each term.
• Permanent Resident or other eligible non-citizen
  A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident status (and who holds either a registration card [Form I-551 or I-151], a Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688] or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status, such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian).
• Personal counseling ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore personal, educational or vocational issues.
• Post-baccalaureate certificate
  An award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s, designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master.
• Post-master’s certificate
  An award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master’s degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
• Postsecondary award, certificate or diploma
  Includes the following three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates and diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact/clock hour requirements:
• Less Than One Academic Year
  Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in less than one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) or in less than 900 clock hours by a student enrolled full-time.
• At Least One But Less Than Two Academic Years
  Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least one but less than two full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours.
• At Least Two But Less Than Four Academic Years
  Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least two but less than four full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours.
• Private institution
  An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by other than public funds and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials.
• Private for-profit institution
  A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation, other than wages, rent or other expenses for the assumption of risk.
• Private nonprofit institution
  A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than wages, rent or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent nonprofit schools and those affiliated with a religious organization.
• Proprietary institution
  See "Private for-profit institution."
• Public institution
  An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials and which is supported primarily by public funds.
• Quarter calendar system
  A calendar system in which the academic year consists of three sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each. The range may be from 10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter in the summer.
• Race/ethnicity
  Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may be counted in only one group.
• Race/ethnicity unknown
  Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories.
• Recognized Postsecondary Credential
  Includes both Title IV eligible degrees, certificates and other recognized postsecondary credentials. Any credential that is received after completion of a program that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid. Credentials that are awarded to recognize an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry occupation. (Generally based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations).
• Religious affiliation/commitment (as admission factor)
  Special consideration given in the admission process for affiliation with a certain church or faith/religion, commitment to a religious vocation or observance of certain religious tenets/lifestyle.
• Religious counseling ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore religious problems or issues.
• Remedial services ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Instructional courses designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and educational setting.
• Required fees
  Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the student who does not pay is the exception. Do not include application or optional fees such as lab or parking fees.
• Resident alien or other eligible non-citizen
  A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status (and who holds either an alien registration card [Form I-551 or I-151], a Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688] or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status, such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian).
• Room and board (charges) — on campus
  Assume double occupancy in institutional housing and 19 meals per week (or maximum meal plan).
• Secondary school record (as admission factor)
  Information maintained by the secondary school that may include such things as the student’s high school transcript, class rank, GPA, and teacher and counselor recommendations.
• Semester calendar system
  A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session.
• Student-designed major
  A program of study based on individual interests, designed with the assistance of an adviser.
• Study abroad
  Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.
• Summer session ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  A summer session is shorter than a regular semester and not considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term of an institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an institution operating on a quarter calendar system. The institution may have two or more sessions occurring in the summer months. Some schools, such as vocational and beauty schools, have year-round classes with no separate summer session.
• Talent/ability (as admission factor)
  Special consideration given to students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.).
• Teacher certification program
  Program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high and secondary schools.
• Transfer applicant
  An individual who has fulfilled the institution’s requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit.
• Transfer student
  A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.
• Transportation (costs)
  Assume two round trips to student’s hometown per year for students in institutional housing or daily travel to and from your institution for commuter students.
• Trimester calendar system
  An academic year consisting of three terms of about 15 weeks each.
• Tuition
  Amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course or per credit.
• Tutoring ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to tutoring in an area such as math, reading or writing. Most tutors are college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified.
• Unit
  A standard of measurement representing hours of academic instruction (e.g., semester credit, quarter credit, clock hour).
• Undergraduate
  A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor’s degree program, an associate degree program or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.
• Veteran’s counseling ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits for their selected program and provides certifications to the Veteran’s Administration. May also provide personal counseling on the transition from the military to a civilian life.
• Visually impaired ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Any person whose sight loss is not correctable and is sufficiently severe as to adversely affect educational performance.
• Volunteer work (as admission factor)
  Special consideration is given to students for volunteer activity (e.g., tutoring, hospital care, working with the elderly or disabled) as a service to the community or the public in general.
• Wait list
  List of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available.
• Weekend college
  A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends.
• White
  A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
• Women’s center ^{[Note 1]}This definition does not appear on the CDS document but has been agreed to among publishers and may be present on individual publishers’ surveys.
  Center with programs, academic activities and/or services intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles of women.
• Work experience (as admission factor)
  Special consideration given to students who have been employed prior to application, whether for relevance to major, demonstration of employment-related skills or as explanation of student’s academic and extracurricular record.

Financial Aid Definitions

• External scholarships and grants
  Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that students bring with them (e.g., Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount awarded.
• Financial aid applicant
  Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA.
• Indebtedness
  Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the student and should be included.
• Institutional scholarships and grants
  Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition-funded grants for which the institution determines the recipient.
• Financial need
  As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.
• Need-based aid
  College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and non-institutional student aid (grants, jobs and loans).
• Need-based scholarship or grant aid
  Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify.
• Need-based self-help aid
  Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial need to qualify.
• Non-need-based scholarship or grant aid
  Scholarships and grants, gifts or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit or any other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-based aid.
• Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:
• Non-need institutional grants.
• Non-need tuition waivers.
• Non-need athletic awards.
• Non-need federal grants.
• Non-need state grants.
• Non-need outside grants.
• Non-need student loans.
• Non-need parent loans.
• Non-need work.
• Non-need-based self-help aid
  Loans and jobs from institutional, state or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial need to qualify.
• Work study and employment
  Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.