Ability to Benefit: Basis
on which a student without a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent may qualify for federal student
financial assistance. Student must score at a particular level on the Accuplacer Assessment in order to be
eligible.
Academic Advisor
This person will help you select the correct courses, review the course requirements in your chosen degree,
and develop and educational plan, as well as help you with any academic problems you may encounter.
Academic Probation
CCA requires all students to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher to
remain in school. A student whose semester or cumulative GPA is below 2.0 will be placed on probation the
subsequent semester. A student may continue to enroll while on probation provided his/her semester or
cumulative grade point average is 2.0 or higher.
Academic Progress (APP)
CCA measures Academic Progress based on two measures: the cumulative GPA measures performance over time; the
term GPA measures performance within the term. The Academic Progress Procedure applies to all students who
have completed thirteen (13) or more credits in residence while attending a Colorado Community College System
college. Students must maintain above a 2.0 GPA to avoid probation or possible suspension from the college.
Academic Suspension
A student on Academic Probation may be placed on Academic Suspension if he/she fails to maintain or achieve
the minimum cumulative GPA required of 2.0 or higher.
Student may not register for the next term (fall, spring,
or summer) following the suspension term. Student may register for the subsequent term after meeting with an
academic advisor of the college. Students with unusual circumstances of a compelling nature may appeal their
suspension. Approval of the student’s appeal may allow, but does not guarantee, that the student will be
allowed to register without a break in enrollment. Students returning from a suspension will be on Probation
(continuing). (See college catalogue for entire policy).
Academic Year
The period during which school is in session, consisting of Fall, Spring and Summer semester.
Accessibility
Services
The
Accessibility Services Office (ASO) helps students with disabilities succeed in college. Students with
permanent or temporary physical disabilities, learning disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, or chronic
health conditions are eligible for assistance from the ASO. It is the responsibility of the student to contact
Reniece Jones, Coordinator of the ASO at
Reniece.Jones@CCaurora.edu, if assistance or accommodations are needed.
Accuplacer
Placement exam used to determine college readiness.
Alumni
Persons who have graduated from the institution.
Associate Degree
The Associate Degree is granted upon completion of a program of at least two (60 credit hours), but less than
four (120 credit hours) years of college work. CCA offers Associate of Art, Associate of Science, Associate
of Applied Science and Associate of General Studies.
Auditing
Auditing a course gives a student an opportunity to attend class as a non-graded participant. Auditing a
course allows students to review a subject area as a refresher or for general use. Students seeking to audit
courses must apply and meet all admissions requirements. COF (Colorado Opportunity Fund) does not cover
auditing. Student will have to pay an extra $80.00 per credit hour.
Applying to college
Submitting a completed admissions application to the Admissions office.
Bookstore
All colleges have bookstores. It will generally stock the books and other materials required in all courses
offered at the institution, as well as providing basic items and clothing.
Book Loan
Emergency book loan is available to students who are unable
to purchase there books at the beginning of the semester. You will be charged a $10.00 fee which is used for
processing the cost of a bookstore loan up to $500.00. Students are responsible for paying the loan off prior
to the end of the semester they received the loan. Contact the Business Office.
Business Office
The Business Office is responsible for all financial transactions of the institution.
Catalog
The CCA catalog provides all types of information students and parents need to know about the institution. It
lists the institution's history and philosophy, policies and procedures, accreditation status, courses of
study, degrees and certificates offered, course descriptions, physical facilities, admission and enrollment
procedures, financial aid, student life activities, etc.
Catalog of Record
Students enrolling at CCA shall follow the provisions of
the catalog in use at the time of admission. When students interrupt their continuous attendance at CCA for
three consecutive terms, or change their degree or certificate programs, they will become subject to the
provisions of the current catalog with their next enrollment.
CCCOnLine
The Colorado
Community Colleges Online is comprised of thirteen member colleges in the Colorado Community College system,
Dawson Community College of Montana, Northwest Missouri State University, and Pickens Tech .Through CCCOnline;
you can earn fully accredited Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Applied Science Degrees and
Certificates, in various disciplines. CCCOnline allows you to register through CCA to take their online
courses. You never have to go to the campus. When you register for a course with CCCOnline you are actually
registering through CCA, which we call your home college. Your home college, not CCCOnline, will transcribe
your grades after you have finished courses.
Census Date
Date in each semester after which students
cannot withdraw from a subject without paying a fee for that subject. The census date is usually about 12 days
after the first day of the semester for CCA.
Certificate
A one-year (or less) academic program
CLEP
The College Level Examination Program can be administered to students who desire to obtain college credit by
taking proficiency tests in selected courses. If the student scores high enough on the test, college credit
can be awarded. There is a charge for each test taken. Contact the testing center for more information.
Class Schedule
The times (hours and days), locations (campus, building, room number), and instructors for courses during a
semester. Copies of students' class schedules are available in the Enrollment Services office (A picture ID is
required) or on-line using your student id and pin number.
Clubs/Organizations
Clubs
exist to promote diverse educational experiences that are responsive to the needs and interests of CCA
students who desire to enhance their occupational, intellectual, cultural, social, or personal development.
See Student Life for more information on available clubs and organizations.
COF
Colorado Opportunity Fund Trust Fund (COF), created by the Colorado Legislature, provides
a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend pays a portion of your total in-state tuition when
you attend a
Colorado public institution or a
participating private institution.
College
A College is an institution of higher education that grants degrees and certificates.
Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) oversees the 13 community colleges in the State of
Colorado. CCCS comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 116,000 students
annually.
Community College
A community college is a two-year institution of higher education. Course offerings generally include a
transfer curriculum with credits transferable toward a bachelor’s degree at a four-year university, and an
occupational or technical curriculum with courses of study designed to prepare students for employment in two
years.
Course Numbers
All courses are identified by numbers usually containing 3 digits. For example, at CCA English Composition is
ENG 121. A course number beginning with a "0" indicates developmental classes that do not transfer.
Credit Hours
Courses taken in college are measured in terms of credit hours. CCA classes are typically offered in 1 - 5
credit hour increments.
Credit for Prior Learning
Students may be awarded credit for college-equivalent education that has been acquired through
non-traditional schooling, work, or other life experiences. Such prior learning must be comparable to
Community College of Aurora courses and must relate to the student’s educational objective(s).
Corequisite
Class you must enroll in with another class. Example: Mat 106 has a Mat 111 coreq.
Curriculum
A curriculum is composed of those classes prescribed or outlined by an institution for completion of a program
of study leading to a degree or certificate.
Dean
The head of an academic division or an area within the College.
Degree Requirements
Those requirements prescribed by other institutions for completion of a program of study are generally termed
degree requirements. Requirements may include a minimum number of credit hours, required GPA, prerequisite and
elective courses within the specified degree.
Degrees
Degrees are rewards for the successful completion of a prescribed program of study. There are three basic
types of degrees:
- Associate: obtainable at a two-year community or junior college.
- Baccalaureate or Bachelor: offered by four-year colleges and universities.
- Graduate: obtained after the bachelor’s degree, i.e., Masters or Doctorate.
Responsible for course scheduling, hiring faculty, faculty evaluations and dealing with students concerns about an instructor. If a student has a concern about a class or a grade they should always talk to the Instructor, then department chair and then it goes to the Dean.
Developmental Studies
Non-degree course work designed to develop skills students need to be successful in a program of study. Courses include English 030, 060, 090; Reading 030, 060, 090; Mat 030, 060, 090, 106.
Drop/Add
The process by which enrolled students make changes to their original class schedule that occurs during the first few weeks of each term. The number of days varies for each session. Make sure to check Important Dates located on the first page of the schedule.
Early Alert
Early Alert is designed to provide extra support and assistance to students that are having difficulty in classes and could benefit from assistance. If a student is in the D or F range during the first 8 weeks of school, their instructor is responsible for turning in an Early Alert for that student and then an Academic Advisor contacts the student to discuss options.
Enrollment
This is the procedure by which students choose classes each semester.
Extenuating Circumstance Appeal
CCA will consider tuition adjustments after the published refund date for extenuating circumstances that prevents a student from completing coursework. Extenuating circumstances such as serious illness, injury or family death within the term of petition will be considered. Student must provide a written explanation of the circumstance along with supplying supporting documentation.
Faculty
The faculty is composed of all persons who teach classes for the College.
Federal Work-Study
Allows students to earn money while enrolled in school to help pay educational expenses. Students are usually allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. Students must complete a Financial Aid application in order to be considered.
Fees
Fees are additional charges not included in the tuition. Fees may be charged to cover the cost of materials and equipment needed in certain courses, and they may be assessed for student events, programs, equipment, etc.
Final Exams (Finals)
These exams are usually given during the last week of classes each semester. The type of final administered in a course is left to the discretion of the instructor.
Financial Aid
Financial assistance to help pay for college tuition, fees and materials. Aid is made available from grants, scholarships, loans, and part-time employment from federal, state, institutional, and private sources. Awards from these programs may be combined in an "award package" to meet the cost of education. The types and amounts of aid awarded are determined by financial need, available funds, student classification, academic performance, and sometimes the timeliness of application. FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)(www.fafsa.ed.gov) is the most universal application for financial aid, including loans, grants, college work-study and other federal and state programs. Financial aid that is need-based depends on your financial situation. Most government sources of financial aid are need-based. It is also often required before a student can be considered for scholarships.
Full-Time/Part-Time/Three-Quarter Time Enrollment
A full-time student is enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in a semester, usually this is four courses. Part-time is 6 credit hours, usually two courses. Three-Quarter Refers to students enrolled in 9, 10, or 11 credit hours in one semester, usually three courses.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
An average of a student's grades, converted to a 4.0 scale (4.0 is an A, 3.0 is a B, 2.0 is a C, and 1.0 is a D).
Grant
A type of financial aid based on financial need that the student does not have to repay.
(gt)
Means this is a statewide guaranteed to transfer course.
Hybrid
Taught in on-site classroom and in off-site location either online, in field study or independent study.
In-State Student
A student who has met the legal residency requirements for the state, and is eligible for reduced in-state student tuition at public colleges and universities in the state.
Independent
An independent student is at least 24 years old as of January 1 of the academic year, is married, has a legal dependent other than a spouse, is a veteran of the US Armed Forces, or is an orphan or ward of the court (or was a ward of the court until age 18). A parent refusing to provide support for their child's education is not sufficient for the child to be declared independent.
Insufficient Enrollment
If the number of student enrolled in any class is insufficient to justify offering the class, the college may cancel the class prior to the first meeting.
Lender
A bank, credit union, savings & loan association, or other financial institution that provides funds to the student or parent for an educational loan. Note: Some schools now participate in the Federal Direct Loan program and no longer use a private lender, since loan funds are provided by the US Government.
Loan
A type of financial aid which must be repaid, with interest. The federal student loan programs (FFELP and FDSLP) are a good method of financing the costs of your college education. These loans are better than most consumer loans because they have lower interest rates and do not require a credit check or collateral. The Stafford Loans and Perkins Loans also provide a variety of deferment options and extended repayment terms.
Major/Minor
A major is a student’s chosen field of study. It usually requires the successful completion of a specified number of credit hours. A minor is designated as a specific number of credit hours in a secondary field of study. You do not Major/Minor at a Community College, only at a 4-year college or university.
Mid-Term Exams (Midterms)
During the middle of each semester, instructors may give mid-term exams that test students on the material covered during the first half of the semester. Some classes have only two tests, a midterm and a final exam.
Non-degree seeking student
A student who is attending college but has not selected a program of study. These students are not eligible for most types of financial aid.
Online
Using the internet. CCA offers courses, admissions applications, and course registration that are accessible from its home website at www.ccaurora.edu. CCA uses WebCT to deliver online courses. All course work is completed online. Students do not need to be online at any particular time but they need to submit assignments on due dates.
Out-of-State Student
A student who has not met the legal residency requirements for the state, and is often charged a higher tuition rate at public colleges and universities in the state.
Promissory Note
Allows student to break up their tuition payment over the course of the semester. Final payment is due by the end of the semester. There is a $15.00 processing fee.
Pell Grant
A federal grant that provides funds of up to $2025.00 based on the student's financial need.
Prerequisite Courses
A prerequisite course is a course that must be taken in preparation for another course. For example, English 121 is a prerequisite for English 122.
Program of Study
The degree you wish to earn.
Registration
Entering course selections into the College's computerized registration system to reserve your seat in a class. All students must apply to the College before they can register for classes. You may register in the Enrollment Services Office or online at www.ccaurora.edu
Schedule of Classes
CCA publishes and distributes a class schedule each semester for the upcoming semester. With the help of academic advisors, students make up their own individual class schedules for each semester they are enrolled. Courses are designated in the class schedule by course department, course number, time and days the course meets, the room number, and the instructor’s name.
Scholarship
A form of financial aid given to undergraduate students to help pay for their education. Most scholarships are restricted to paying all or part of tuition expenses, though some scholarships also cover books and supplies. Scholarships are a form of gift aid and do not have to be repaid. Many scholarships are restricted to students in specific courses of study or with academic, athletic or artistic talent.
Self-paced
Z section classes in Math and Computer that have flexible start dates.
Student Identification Card (I.D.)
A student ID is usually required in college. You will need your student ID card to gain access to the campus computer lab, or obtaining information from Enrollment Services.
Student Code of Conduct
Upon enrolling at the college, students assume an obligation to conduct yourself in a manner compatible with the college function as an educational institution. CCA expects each student to obey the federal, state and municipal laws as well as college regulations. Any act which interferes with the learning process, rights of others, disrupts or impairs the normal functioning of the college, damages or destroys property, or impairs health or safety is ground for disciplinary action.
Student Government
The Student Government Association, funded by student fees, represents the student body and serves as a liaison between the faculty, administration, and student body in areas of mutual interest. The purpose of the SGA is to promote student leadership and college spirit, provide a forum for discussion between students and administration, and give students a representative voice in college affairs. Any student, staff, or faculty member may attend meetings and take part in discussion, but only Senators may vote.
Syllabus
An outline of the important information about a course. Written by the professor or instructor, it usually includes important dates, assignments, expectations and policies specific to that course.
Transcript
The transcript is a permanent academic record of a student at college. It may show courses taken, grades received, academic status and honors received. Transcripts are not released by the College if the student owes any money to the College. There are two types of transcripts, official and unofficial. An official transcript is requested by the student to be sent directly to another institution. Student pays a fee to have this done. An unofficial transcript can be accessed online or through and advisor. Unofficial is used to verify classes and credits received but cannot be used for transfer.
Transfer of Credits
Some students attend more than one institution during their college career. When they move or transfer from one college to another, they also transfer accumulated credit hours from the former institution to the new one. The new institution determines which courses will apply toward graduation requirements.
Tuition
Tuition is the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment. Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board. Tuition charges vary from college to college and are dependent on such factors as resident or out-of-state status, level of classes enrolled in (lower or upper division), and whether the institution is publicly or privately financed.
Tutors
Tutors usually help students better understand course material and make better grades. The Learning Resource Center offers tutors, free of charge. Individual appointments and walk-in hours are available throughout daytime and evening hours.
Undergraduate
An undergraduate is a student who is pursuing either a one-, two-, or four-year degree.
Withdrawal
Students may withdraw from courses during a semester, but there are established procedures for doing so. The College Catalog and/or Class Schedule generally specifies the procedures. When a student withdraws after the drop/add date, they do not receive a refund.