Trailblazer Terminology
Apprentice
- A program at Forsyth Tech registered through the Department of Labor that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, allowing students to earn while they learn and gain practical experience in their chosen field.
A-Session and B-Session
- Shorter academic sessions within the standard 16-week semester at Forsyth Tech. A-session is the 1st 8-weeks of the 16-week fall or spring semester and B-session is the 2nd 8-weeks of the 16-week fall or spring semester.
Advisor
- A staff member at Forsyth Tech who assists students in understanding their degree requirements and planning their course schedules.
Alternative FAFSA
- A financial aid application process at Forsyth Tech for students who may not be eligible for the traditional FAFSA, such as students without a Social Security Number (SSN).
Associate Degree
- An undergraduate academic degree awarded by Forsyth Tech upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.
Blackboard
- The online learning management system (LMS) used at Forsyth Tech where students can access course materials, submit assignments, participate in discussions, check grades, and communicate with instructors. It’s an essential tool for managing and navigating your courses.
CCP (Career & College Promise)
- North Carolina’s dual enrollment program lets high school students earn tuition-free college credits. Eligible students can choose from college transfer or career and technical education pathways, leading to certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.
CCR (College and Career Readiness)
- Programs at Forsyth Tech designed to prepare students for success in college-level courses and the workforce. This includes adult basic education, high school equivalency, and English as a Second Language.
CEA (Course Entry Assignment)
- An important initial assignment at Forsyth Tech that is crucial for attendance verification and ensuring students are engaged from the start of the course.
Certificate
- A credential awarded by Forsyth Tech upon completion of a specific set of courses in a particular field of study, typically requiring less time than a degree.
Continuing Education (CE or ConEd)
- Non-credit courses for short-term workforce training or personal enrichment.
Counselor
- A person trained to give guidance on personal, social, or psychological problems.
Credit Hour
- A unit of measure representing an hour of instruction per week over a semester, used to quantify a Forsyth Tech student’s course load.
Curriculum
- Credit courses that provide students knowledge to earn a degree or diploma or to transfer to a 4-year school.
Diploma
- A credential awarded by Forsyth Tech upon completion of a more comprehensive program of study than a certificate, but less extensive than an associate degree, often focused on practical and technical skills.
Dual Enrollment
- High school students take college courses and earn college credits tuition-free. In North Carolina, the dual enrollment program with community colleges is called Career and College Promise.
DWF (Drop, Withdraw, Fail)
- A term used at Forsyth Tech indicating the status of a student in a course.
- Drop: Removing a course from the student’s schedule before a certain deadline.
- Withdraw: Exiting a course after the drop deadline but before the withdrawal deadline, resulting in a “W” on the transcript.
- Fail: Not meeting the course requirements, resulting in an “F” grade on the transcript.
Electives
- Courses that Forsyth Tech students can choose to take for credit toward their degree but are not required.
Forsyth Tech Cares
- An initiative at Forsyth Tech providing comprehensive support services to students, including food assistance, mental health resources, emergency funds, and other programs designed to help students overcome barriers to their education.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- A form that Forsyth Tech students must complete to apply for financial aid from the federal government.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
- A federal law that protects the privacy of Forsyth Tech student education records.
First-Generation College Student
- A student at Forsyth Tech who is the first in their immediate family to attend college.
GPA (Grade Point Average)
- A numerical representation of a Forsyth Tech student’s academic performance, typically on a 4.0 scale.
In-State
- Refers to students who are residents of North Carolina, qualifying them for lower tuition rates at Forsyth Tech.
ITS (Information Technology Services)
- The department at Forsyth Tech responsible for providing technical support and services to students, faculty, and staff. ITS assists with issues related to computers, software, network access, and other technological needs.
LEAP (Learn & Earn Apprenticeship Program
- A program at Forsyth Tech that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, allowing students to earn while they learn.
MAR Packet (Minimum Admissions Requirements Packet)
- A collection of documents and information required for admission to certain programs at Forsyth Tech, primarily for Health Science programs, ensuring that applicants meet the minimum academic and program-specific requirements.
myForsythTech
- The online portal for Forsyth Tech students to access important resources, including registration, financial aid, academic records, and more. It serves as a central hub for managing your student account.
Out of State
- Refers to students who are not residents of North Carolina, resulting in higher tuition rates at Forsyth Tech.
Outlook
- The email and calendar system used by Forsyth Tech for communication and scheduling. Students use Outlook to receive important updates from instructors, schedule meetings, and manage their time effectively.
Program of Study
- The set of courses required for a particular program offered by Forsyth Tech.
Prerequisite
- A course or requirement that must be completed before enrolling in a more advanced course at Forsyth Tech.
PTK (Phi Theta Kappa)
- An international honor society for two-year colleges, recognizing academic achievement and providing opportunities for growth and development through honors, leadership, and service programming at Forsyth Tech.
RDS (Residency Determination Service)
- A service used by Forsyth Tech to determine a student’s residency status for tuition purposes, ensuring they are charged the appropriate rate based on their residency. For more information, visit ncresidency.org.
Registrar
- The office at Forsyth Tech responsible for maintaining student records, including course registrations, grades, and transcripts.
SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)
- The academic standard students must meet to remain eligible for financial aid at Forsyth Tech. This includes maintaining a minimum GPA and completing a certain percentage of attempted courses.
Semester
- An academic term at Forsyth Tech. Forsyth Tech has a 16-week fall semester, a 16-week spring semester, and a 9-week summer semester.
SLE (Student Life and Engagement)
- A department at Forsyth Tech dedicated to enhancing the student experience through extracurricular activities, events, and programs that promote student involvement, leadership, and personal development.
Syllabus
- A document outlining the objectives, assignments, policies, and schedule for a particular Forsyth Tech course.
Techlink
- The platform used by Forsyth Tech for students to access college-wide announcements and various online resources, including library services, tutoring, academic support, and other student services.
Transcript
- An official record of a Forsyth Tech student’s academic performance and courses taken, provided by the registrar’s office.
TRIO
- A set of federally funded programs at Forsyth Tech aimed at serving students who are first-generation. These programs provide academic, financial, and personal support from high school through college.
Tuition
- The fee that Forsyth Tech charges for instruction and other academic services.