College Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path

When considering all of the terms that come with applying to college, it makes sense to understand all of the terms that could exist within the field. We are often asked what the difference is between ED, EA, RD, and REA decision options, so we wrote an entire post on application deadline differences. Click here to read or learn what W&M stands for. 

More importantly, there are a whole host of definitions and descriptions that could impact a student’s journey. We have compiled the list below and update this resource regularly to include any new terms that arise. For example, the money families were expected to pay was once called Expected Financial Contribution (EFC); now it is called the Student Aid Index (SAI). What was once known when an older sibling or parent applied to school may have changed over time, which is why we created this resource to then share a common vocabulary when discussing all aspects of the college process and a separate list of acronyms to decode all of the jargon college counselors and admissions officers may use. 

Finally, if there are any terms your student has questions about or would like more information on, please email hello@collegeflightpath.com or book a free 15-minute call.

Copyright © 2025 College Flight Path. All Rights Reserved.