Tulsa

Words to know 

• Types of colleges
  • College: This word is often used to talk about higher education in general. If a school has "College" in its name, it’s usually smaller and focuses on teaching students in their first four years, offering a broad range of subjects.

  • University: A school that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Universities usually have more resources and programs. Some, like OSU, have smaller branch campuses like OSU-Tulsa, where students can study in a more close-knit setting.
  • Community College: A local school that offers two-year degrees and certificates.
  • Technical School: A school that trains students for specific jobs, often in trades or technical fields, and offers degrees and certificates. OSU Institute of Technology, part of OSU Polytech, is a technical school.
  • Non-Profit College: A school focused on education, using its money to help students instead of making a profit.
  • For-Profit College: A school that runs as a business, which may put earning money before student success.
  • Public University: A college or university that gets money from the government, usually from the state. This helps keep tuition lower for students who live in the state. Public universities, like OSU, often have more students and offer a lot of programs.
  • Private University: A college or university that doesn’t get government money. Instead, it runs on tuition and donations. Private universities are usually smaller.
• Types of degrees and students
  • Undergraduate: A student working on their first college degree, usually a bachelor’s degree. This word is also used to describe any of the first four years of college.
  • Associate Degree: A degree that takes about two years, usually from a community college.
  • Bachelor's Degree: A degree that takes about four years. You choose a major, like business, health care or engineering, and take classes to become skilled in that area.
  • Graduate Degree: A degree you can earn after a bachelor’s degree. Master’s, doctoral and professional degrees are all kinds of graduate degrees.
  • Transfer Student: A student who starts at one school and then moves to another to finish their degree. This can happen for many reasons, such as finding a better fit for their goals or wanting to start at a community college and finish at a four-year school.
• Types of classes
  • Online Classes: Classes you take on the internet, giving you flexibility in when and where you learn.
  • Hybrid Classes: A mix of online and in-person classes. Most meet on campus a few times and the rest of the sessions are online, but this can change depending on the program.
  • On-Campus Classes: Classes that meet in person at the school.
• Paying for college
  • FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You fill it out to see if you can get money to help pay for school.
  • Grant: Money given for college that you don’t need to pay back.
  • Scholarship: Money awarded to students based on grades or talents that doesn’t have to be paid back.
  • Loan: Money you borrow for school that you have to pay back with interest.

"I'm here for you"

Have an open conversation with your loved one about their hopes, dreams and concerns about going to school. Listen to what they want from college and share what’s important to you, too. After talking things over, join them to meet with an admissions counselor. The admissions counselor can explain different options and how they can fit your goals. By being open and listening to each other, you can find the right path that supports your loved one’s dreams and your family’s needs.