Learn the Lingo of Higher Education
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Admission & Financial Aid, Office of: Provides information to prospective and current students regarding the application process, scholarships, and state/federal financial aid.
Academic Advising assists students with academic planning. Advisors help students to solve problems which influence academic success, and to develop the skills/tools necessary to make mature and informed decisions about their academic careers.
B
Banner ID: An ID number used by Miami University in place of your social security number for student identification purposes.
BannerWeb: Web portal designed to do the following:
- Complete Admission online application
- Register for classes
- Print class schedule
- Check grades
- Print a Degree Audit Report (DAR)
- Review Financial Aid account
- Review Financial Aid requirements and awards
BlackBoard: Until August 2011, Blackboard will be Miami University's online collaboration and learning environment. See niihka.
Bursar, Office of the: The Office of the Bursar maintains the financial assets of the University and is located in the Campus Avenue Building in Oxford. If you are a student at Miami's regional locations and have a question about your eBill, contact the Cashier's office at Business Services.
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COMPASS Test: COMPASS assessment testing is required of all incoming first-year students and some transfer students. The COMPASS test assesses students' mathematics, reading and writing skills. The test, which is taken on campus, requires about two hours for most students to complete.
D
DAR/Degree Audit Report: A report itemizing what classes have been taken by a student and what further ones are required to complete his/her degree.
Dean's list: A list of students who received a 3.5 GPA or above in a given semester.
E
eBill: An online invoice provided by the Office of the Bursar that itemizes University-related chargees such as tuition and fees. Students are able to access their eBills via myMiami.
EFC: Expected Family Contribution: EFC measures your family's financial strength, and is used to determine your eligibility for federal student aid during one school year. You receive an EFC based on the processing results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Elective: Those classes not required by your major. (Note: See Academic Advising)
ESL/ELL: English as a Second Language/English Language Learners.
F
Faculty: Professors and instructors.
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid: This form must be completed for a student to be eligible for Federal Aid. Miami University requires the FAFSA to be filed for consideration for all federal aid, including the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. Filing the FAFSA ensures students have access to the best aid available. For more information, please visit the FAFSA website at www.fafsa.ed.gov
First-time students: Students who have never attended college before. Miami University Regionals has an open admission policy for first-time first year students.
G
Global Miami Plan: The Global Miami Plan for Liberal Education helps every student learn to think critically — to examine assumptions behind ideas,exchange differing viewpoints with students and faculty, and make thoughtful decisions by examining their consequences. Global Miami Plan classes form the liberal arts base to any Miami University Degree.
Grants: Financial awards based on financial need which do not require repayment.
L
Liberal Education: In academic circles, the words "liberal education" mean something very different from the way those same words are used in everyday language. Read about the meaning and history of the term "liberal education" at Miami's Oxford website.
Loans: Financial aid available to all students that do require repayment.
M
Major: Your area of study. For more information about the majors offered at Miami University, follow this link: www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majorsminors/index.cfm
Miami Middletown Student Government (MMSG): MMSG represents the interests of students at Miami Middletown. See Student Government Association for equivalent organization on the Hamilton campus.
Miami Plan Foundation: Classes forming the liberal arts base to any Miami University Degree. For more information, follow this link. www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/miamiplan
Minor: An area of study complementing your major, with fewer course requirements. For more information about the minors offered at Miami University, go to www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majorsminors/index.cfm
Multicultural Services, Office of: Multicultural Services is continually evolving as a responsive, dynamic entity, dedicated to helping students achieve academic, cultural, economic, and social success. Offering specialized programming for African, Appalachian, Asian, Latino, and Native American students, Multicultural Services seeks to educate the public and encourage students. www.regionals.muohio.edu/multicultural
MyMiami: The web portal designed for students to access grades, accounts, and other university resources. To access MyMiami follow http://mymiami.muohio.edu
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niihka: Miami University Collaboration & Learning Environment. The Miami community has selected the Sakai Collaboration and Learning Environment (CLE) as the replacement for Blackboard, effective Fall 2011.
Interesting note: Niihka means “friend” in the language of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma. Through Niihka we celebrate our community of learners and honor the thriving relationship between Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma.
O
Official Transcript: A record of all classes taken and grades received at an institution. To remain official, it must be sent directly from the granting institution to the receiving institution.
Open admission policy: Miami Hamilton and Miami Middletown have an open admission policy for first-time college students. Read the open admission policy.
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PSEOP: The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Program (PSEOP) permits high school students in grades nine through twelve to earn college and high school graduation credit through the successful completion of college courses. Learn more about the PSEO program at Miami Regionals.
President's List: A list of students who received a 4.0 GPA in a given semester.
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Record & Registration, Office of: Provides general information about: Course Scheduling, Adding and Dropping classes, Enrollment Verification, Grade Distribution, Relocating to the Oxford Campus, Articulation Agreements, Transcript Requests, and Transfer Credit Evaluations.
Re-Enrolling Former Students: “Once a student, always a student!” If you have attended any of Miami University’s campuses and completed a course for a final grade, you are considered a returning former student. Re-enrolling students should complete an online application form. If you require more information, call the Records and Registration Office at the Hamilton Campus at 785-3209.
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SaturdaySelect: Allows you to earn an Associate in Arts degree in as little as two years—without weekday classes. Learn more at the SaturdaySelect.com website.
Scholarships: Financial awards based primarily on academic achievement and do not require repayment. Scholarships can supplement aid if student shows financial need or academic merit.
Student Government Association (SGA): The SGA represents the interests of students at Miami Hamilton. See Miami Middletown Student Government for equivalent organization on the Middletown campus.
Student Affairs, Office of: offers a wide range of services, educational activities, and leadership opportunities intended to foster a positive, dynamic and intellectually stimulating campus environment that enables students to develop to their fullest potential.
Student Services: Student Services includes Academic Advising, Learning Assistance, Disability Services, Co-op, Internship and Placement, and Counseling services.
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Thematic sequence: The Thematic Sequence requirement is part of the Global Miami Plan and is met by completing three related courses (usually nine hours total) in an approved Thematic Sequence outside your department of major.
Transcript: (see Official Transcript)
Transfer Students: Students who have attended another college or university after high school and registered for one or more courses are considered transfer students. Transfer students must complete the application for admission and submit an official transcript of all previous college work attempted. Students who graduated from high school after 1985 also must submit an official high school transcript.
Transient Students: Students who are currently enrolled in another institution but want to take some courses at Miami Hamilton. In order to attend as a transient student, you must have attended another college/university within the last 12 months. Transient students will need to complete a transient student application for admission and supply a statement of good standing or an official academic transcript showing a minimum 2.0 accumulative GPA. A transient student may not attend Miami University for two consecutive semesters.
U
Unclassified Admission: If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university, you are eligible for admission as an Unclassified Student. You will need to complete the Unclassified Student Application for Admission and submit an official transcript or diploma indicating the degree earned. Unclassified students taking classes at Miami University will earn credit for classes taken. This information is for those students NOT seeking another degree. If you are degree seeking, please fill out the transfer student application or call the Admission Office for clarification and questions.
NOTE: Unclassified students are NOT eligible to receive financial aid.
