Colleges and universities use so many acronyms sometimes it can feel like learning a whole new language. Thrive Center has created an Arizona Dictionary to help you navigate the many terms you will hear as a member of the Wildcat community. Have a common term you want us to add? Email thrive@arizona.edu.
D2L: Desire 2 Learn, UA’s learning management system where students access online information for their courses
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
GRO: Grade Replacement Opportunity
INDV: Individuals and Societies, a strand of general education classes
NATS: Natural Sciences, a strand of general education classes
TCE: Teacher Course Evaluations
TRAD: Traditions and Cultures, a strand of general education classes
AHSC: Arizona Health Sciences Center
AME: Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
AZSO: Arizona Sonora Residence Hall
BASC: Bartlett Academic Success Center
BDB: Bear Down Building (formerly Bear Down Gym)
BUMC: Banner University Medical Center
ECE: Electrical and Computer Engineering
ENR2: Environmental and Natural Resources 2
ENRB: Environmental and Natural Resources Building
GC: Global Center
HSIB: Health Sciences Innovation Building
PAS: Physics and Atmospheric Sciences
PSP: Posada San Pedro Residence Hall
SSD: Student Success District
SUMC: Student Union Memorial Center
USB: University Services Building
VDP: Villa Del Puente Residence Hall
CALS: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
CAPLA: College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
CAST: College of Applied Science & Technology
CLAS: College of Letters, Arts, and Science
COE: College of Education
COM: College of Medicine
CON: College of Nursing
COS: College of Science
CPH: College of Public Health
SBS: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
UAHS: University of Arizona Health Sciences
AGI: Adjusted Gross Income
APR: Annual Percentage Rate
COA: Cost of Attendance
DOE or ED: Department of Education (Federal)
DTI: Debt To Income
EFC: Expected Family Contribution
EIN: Employee Identification Number
FSA: Federal Student Aid (website for FAFSA)
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FWS: Federal Work Study
GAP: General Appeal Process
MPN: Master Promissory Note
NSLDS: National Student Loan Data System
OSFA: Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
PIN: Personal Identification Number
SAP: Satisfactory Academic Progress
SU: Scholarship Universe
TIN: Taxpayer Idenification Number
QTR: Qualified Tuition Reduction
AASA: African American Student Affairs
APASA: Asian Pacific American Student Affairs
ARC: Advising Resource Center
ASUA: Associated Students of University of Arizona
CAD: Cats After Dark
CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services
CESL: Center for English as a Second Language
CLC: Cultural Learning Communities
CLEP: College Level Examination Program
DOS: Dean of Students
DCC: Disability Cultural Center
DRC: Disability Resource Center
FSP: Fraternity and Sorority Programs
GA: Graduate Assistant
GEL: Global Experiential Learning
GPSC: Graduate & Professional Student Council
ILC: Integrated Learning Center
ISRC: Immigrant Student Resource Center
ISS: International Student Services
LGBTQ+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning Affairs
NASA: Native American Student Affairs
PA/PM: Peer Advisor/Peer Mentor
PTS: Parking and Transportation Services
RA: Resident Assistant
RHA: Residence Hall Association
S4S: Schedule for Success
SALT: Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques, also known as SALT Center
SECD: Student Engagement & Career Development
SOS: Support. Outreach. Success. (UA helpdesk)
TA: Teaching Assistant
TSC: Transfer Student Center
UAMES: University of Arizona Medical Emergency Services
UITS: University Information Technology Services
VETS: Veterans Education and Transition Services
WEB: Wildcat Events Board
WGRC: Women and Gender Resource Center
WOW: World of Words Library
WSIP: Writing Skills Improvement Program
ACADEMIC ADVISOR: A staff member within your college/major who is dedicated to working with you on your academic plan. This includes planning your class schedule and ensuring you're progressing towards graduation. You can also discuss academic goals, how to find internships or research, and your path towards career, among many other topics. Need to find your academic advisor? You can log into UAccess or CatCloud or check the advising website.
BURSAR: The Bursar's Office bills students on behalf of the university, accepts payment (usually online), and can help explain most charges to you. They can answer questions around tuition and mandatory fees, tuition payment plans and payment dates, cost of attendance, and refunds.
FIRST CATS: First Cats is the term we use to describe ALL first-generation college students (FGCS) at UArizona. Whether you're engaged with the formal First Cats program or not, our community of first-gen students, faculty, staff, and alumni make up our First Cats community. First Cats also has an expanded definition of FGCG on our website.
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT (FGCS): A first-gen college student is most traditionally defined as a student who comes from a home were neither parent/legal guardian has completed a bachelor's degree of higher. First Cats has an expanded definition (see above for First Cats information).
PEER MENTOR: A form of mentoring that happens when a student (mentee) is paired with a more experienced student (mentor). This usually happens through a program where the pairing is formal and intentional. UArizona offers multiple peer mentoring programs by major, interest, and identity.
PEER MENTORING & PEER LED PROGRAMS
S.O.S. | SUPPORT. OUTREACH. SUCCESS: A central and simple way to have questions answered and to seek support. This is open to all UArizona community members, not just students, and there are multiple ways to connect: text, email, chat (box on this page!), call, or in-person.
SUBSIDIZED FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN: A loan available to undergraduate students with financial need. The amount of the loan is determined by your school and cannot exceed your financial need as determined by the FAFSA. The student does not pay interest while they're in school at least half-time, or for the first six months after leaving school/graduation, or during a period of deferment.
LEARN MORE ON THE STUDENT AID WEBSITE
THINK TANK: This is the university's centralized academic support services in-person and online. This includes tutoring, supplemental instruction, writing support, test prep courses (MCAT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT), and academic coaching. Most services are offered to students free of charge.
UNSUBSIDIZED FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN: A loan available to undergraduate and graduate students with no requirement of demonstrated financial need. The amount of the loan is determined by the school based on cost of attendance and additional financial aid received. The student is responsible for paying the interest that accrues while in school. Students are able to pay the interest while enrolled.