Common Terms
Does everything at WVU have an acronym? Almost! Here's your guide to learning our acronyms and special terms.
ACT/SAT
The ACT and SAT are two types of entrance exams used by colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. At WVU, these exams are NOT required (admission into some academic programs may require them, however).
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
BOG
WVU Board of Governors
CAC
Canady Creative Arts Center
CAHS
College of Applied Human Sciences
Carruth
Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.
CBC
Center for Black Culture
CCAM
College of Creative Arts and Media
Chambers
John Chambers College of Business and Economics
CLASS
Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success.
CLIMB
Chambers College of Business and Economics’ Living-Learning Community (stands for Connect Lead Innovate Motivate Belong)
COA
Cost of attendance.
Colleges and Schools
Colleges and schools are institutions within a larger university that specialize in a range of academic programs (like the School of Dentistry or the John Chambers College of Business and Economics). At WVU, there are 14 colleges and schools. Think of them like small family units within the greater WVU family.
CPoS
Course Program of Study. CPoS is the required curriculum for awarding a degree, certificate, or other recognized credential.
Credit Card Processing Fee
There is a credit card processing fee applied if you pay your WVU charges with a credit card.
CWE
Center for Writing Excellence
DA
Daily Athenaeum student newspaper.
Dietary Restrictions
If you have allergies, special dietary needs or nutrition goals, we have you covered. Learn more at Dietitian Services.
Dining Dollars
These are virtual dollars included in WVU dining plans that can be used for food and drinks in locations around campus. They can be used instead of meal swipes or when your daily/weekly limit of meal swipes on your dining plan is reached. Funds can be added anytime.
Dining Plan
Dining plans are prepaid food packages (which often include dining dollars) you can use across campus. Choose anything from unlimited meals per week to plans for students who live off-campus. All students who live in a residence hall must buy a dining plan. You’ll need to pick an option (usually by mid-summer) or you will be assigned one.
DL
Direct Loan.
E. Moore Hall
Elizabeth Moore Hall
Eberly
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
EFC
Expected Family Contribution, a financial aid calculation of what your family is expected to pay toward your WVU expenses – tuition, fees, living costs, etc.
ERC
Evansdale Residential Complex (also called Towers and includes Bennett, Braxton, Lyon and Brooke Towers).
FAA
Financial Aid Administrator
FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Student Aid
A form completed by current and prospective college students to determine eligibility for federal student financial aid (and additional types of aid). You should submit a FAFSA every year, regardless of your (or your family’s) financial situation.
Federal Work-Study
This is a federal program in which eligible students earn funds by working part time. Recipients earn a paycheck during academic semesters and also gain valuable experience. The rate of pay is at least minimum wage.
FERPA – Family Educational Rights And Privacy Act Of 1974
This is a federal law protecting your privacy (after classes start or you move onto campus): it means that your parents/family do not have access to your records and accounts (grades, billing details, etc.) unless you grant it to them.
FFEL
Federal Family Education Loan
Financial Aid
Scholarships, grants, employment and loans are available for students who need financial help. A financial aid offer is based on your financial need and eligibility (determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA).
FPL
Federal Perkins Loan Program
FSA
Federal Student Aid
FSA ID
Federal Student Aid ID – both you and at least one parent need to apply for one because it’s used to electronically sign your FAFSA form and other aid-related forms.
FWS
Federal Work-Study
GA
Graduate Assistant
GEF
General Education Foundation (a group of courses required by all majors to provide students with general knowledge in more than one area)
GPA
Grade Point Average
GRA
Graduate Research Assistant
Grade Point Average (GPA)
The WVU grading system is explained in the course catalog. Each course grade has a numeric value. GPA is used to determine eligibility for financial aid.
Grants
Unlike loans, these are sources of funding that generally do not have to be repaid. The Federal Pell Grant is just one example.
GRE
Graduate Record Examinations
GTA
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Housing and Food Charges
Fees charged for a residence hall room (or other living facility) and meals during the school year.
Housing Costs
Fees charged for a residence hall room (or other living facility) and food during the school year.
HSC
Health Sciences Center.
IEP
Intensive English Program.
ISSS
International Students and Scholars Services.
ITS
Information Technology Services
Late Fees
Late fees are charged on past-due balances of $200 or more.
Living-Learning Communities
These on-campus communities are focused on a field of study or shared passion of the students who live there (such as business, global cultures, sustainability or the arts). Immerse yourself in what you love, connect with faculty and make friends.
Loan
Sources of funding for college that generally do have to be repaid (sometimes with interest). Both students and parents are often able to take out loans.
Major
A major is a specific subject that students can specialize in while earning a college degree (you can major in things like English, mechanical engineering, even puppetry). At WVU, you can customize your degree by choosing to double major (take on two specializations), add a minor (see below) and more. We have over 350 majors to choose from.
Meal Swipe
Single transaction used to eat one meal. Dining plan options include a varying number of swipes. They do not carry over between semesters.
Minor
These are like mini-majors in a specific subject that can help you customize your degree and future career path. You can add multiple minors, too.
MIX
Mountaineer Information Xpress, the WVU student email (check it every day!)
Mountaineer Card
Your student ID. It’s your key to services all over campus.
Mountie Bounty
Mountie Bounty is a convenient debit plan that allows you to place dollar amounts on your Mountaineer Card for later use.
NSO
New Student Orientation
OSA
Office of Student Accommodations
OUR
Office of the University Registrar
Parent PLUS Loan
Parent loan for dependent undergraduate students.
Payment Plan for Tuition and Housing
You can sign up for a monthly payment plan so you don’t have to pay your tuition and/or housing expenses in one lump sum at the start of the semester. Sign up at Tuition Payment Plan.
Payments Accepted
WVU accepts checks, money orders or certified bank checks, made out to: WVU or West Virginia University. The check should include your name and WVU ID number.
Promise Scholarship
Merit-based financial aid program for West Virginia residents.
PRT
Personal Rapid Transit, our electric-powered people-mover.
Residence Life Specialist
Each hall has a residence life specialist, a live-in professional staff member who provides direction for student learning and success as well as ensuring a safe and secure living environment, 24/7. Find your Residence Life Specialist.
Resident Assistant
Known as “RAs,” resident assistants are just what their name says: students who live on your floor whose purpose is to help you. They’re friendly. They know their way around campus and the community. And they will point you in the right direction, no matter your issue or question.
ROOTS
Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Living-Learning Community
Ruby
Ruby Memorial Hospital
SGA
Student Government Association
STAR
Platform used to access all student information (schedule, transcripts, housing, financial aid, and more)
Statler
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Student Aid Index (SAI)
A number calculated based on information provided on the FAFSA, that the WVU Hub uses to determine how much federal student aid the student may receive.
SURE
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
TA
Teaching Assistant
The Bunker
Our 2,500 square foot facility in the Mountainlair (Room 214) that supports military students.
The Crossing
Evansdale Crossing building
The Hub
One-stop shop for student financial aid, scholarships, student accounts and student employment, located in Evansdale Crossing building
The Lair
Short for Mountainlair, the student union on the downtown area of campus.
The Rec
Student Recreation Center
TRIO
Not an acronym. Originally made of three programs, TRIO helps first-generation, low-income and disabled students.
Tuition
How much college courses cost (the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment). Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees or room and board (or living expenses; pizza’s not free). The term “tuition” includes WVU tuition, college/school tuition based on your major and University fees.
U92
WWVU 91.7, WVU’s College Radio Station
UPark
University Park, an apartment complex that includes residence hall Oakland Hall, located in the Evansdale area of campus.
UPlace
University Place, an apartment complex that includes residence hall Seneca Hall, located in Sunnyside.
WELLWVU
Delivers comprehensive wellness education to all WVU students through engaging programs, services and educational resources.
WVU ID
Your student ID card. It’s your key to services all over campus.