Academic Advisor: An academic advisor provides assistance to students in order to support their career path and course selection. Beginning freshmen of all majors (including undeclared) and students not yet accepted to professional programs are assigned a full-time academic advisor from the Academic Success Center. Find more information about EIU’s academic advisors here.
Admitted: Accepted to attend a university for a particular semester. To be admitted, you must first apply to the university and meet all its admission requirements, such as sending transcripts and meeting a minimum GPA requirement. Being admitted does not mean you are committed to attending a particular university, only that you are eligible to attend if you wish. After applying to EIU, you can view your admission status through your MyEIU checklist at eiu.edu/myeiu/checklist.php. You can also view EIU's undergraduate admission requirements here.
Alert EIU: Alert EIU is a text-messaging system that alerts subscribers, via their cell phones, to emergency situations and (if needed) advises one to act on inclement weather conditions. EIU students and employees can sign up here.
Application: A request to attend a college or university starting a certain semester. It’s best to apply as early as possible, usually a year before you would start classes at that university – during your senior year of high school, or your second year at a community college if you plan to transfer. Unlike many universities, EIU does not require an admissions essay, standardized test scores, or an application fee for undergraduate students, because we believe they create unnecessary barriers to first-generation and other under-represented students. Our application is completely free and only takes 10-15 minutes: eiu.edu/apply
Associate degree: An academic degree given to a student by a community college, junior college, online university, or some four-year institutions. It typically takes two years to complete and can be used to get a job in some, but not all fields.
Bachelor’s degree: An undergraduate academic degree given to a student by a college or university, typically after four years of study. It is the first degree a college or university can award a student. EIU offers Bachelor’s degrees in over 50 undergraduate degree programs that include over 150 major and minor options. Learn more about EIU’s undergraduate degree programs here.
Bursar: A financial administrator who is responsible for managing student billing. They collect and analyze all student charges and fees, including tuition, campus housing, parking permits, and other university-related charges.
At EIU, the bursar can be found in the Cashier and Student Accounts Office in Old Main (the "castle" building). It can be reached by going up the ramp at the back of Old Main. Students can go to the bursar to set up payment plans or make payments by cash, check, money order, or cashier's check. Payments can also be made online through PAWS.
Learn more about the bursar at EIU by visiting our Business Office website.
College: The term “college” can have a few different meanings:
Concentration: A subject or study within a specific major that students can specialize in, focusing more on the area of study that interests them. Lots of the majors offered at EIU have concentrations. For example, EIU’s department of biology offers four programs: biological sciences, environmental biology, pre-health professions, and teacher certification.
Credit hours: The way to indicate how much credit students receive for the courses they take each semester, depending on the hours per week spent in that course. Enrollment in 12 credit hours is the minimum to be considered a full-time student at EIU. Taking fewer than 12 credit hours makes a student a part-time student. On average, students complete 15 credit hours per semester.
D2L Brightspace: D2L Brightspace (also known as D2L, Brightspace, or Desire2Learn) is the learning management system utilized for online classes and many face-to-face classes at EIU. All EIU students, faculty, and staff with an active EIU NetID and password may access D2L Brightspace by logging in at eiu.edu/d2l, also linked on the EIU homepage.
Dean: An administrator responsible for a specific academic area, acting as the head of a specific college within a university. A dean’s responsibilities include setting academic policies, overseeing the faculty, and other administrative duties.
Department: A subdivision within a university that houses similar programs and majors. For example, the Department of English at EIU is responsible for academic subjects such as Literary and Cultural Studies, Professional Writing, and Creative Writing. Each department has an administrator called a department chair, often a professor within that department, who guides the department's educational goals, oversees other faculty, and reviews student appeals.
Deposit, Enrollment: An enrollment deposit is a fee paid upfront to a university that secures your spot in the upcoming class. You should pay an enrollment deposit only when you are committed to attending that university. Some universities have a deadline of May 1. At EIU, the enrollment deposit is $150 and goes towards your first student bill. Transfer students are not required to pay the enrollment deposit. Learn more about the enrollment deposit at eiu.edu/deposit.
Dining Dollars: Meal plans include a specified amount of Dining Dollars. They can also be purchased in increments of $50.00 by check or billed to your account. Dining Dollars are active during the academic year and can be used in any of EIU’s locations. Find more information here.
Doctorate Degree: An academic degree awarded by universities, which typically takes four or more years to complete. Also commonly referred to as a PhD, it is the highest earned academic degree in the U.S., symbolizing someone’s expertise in a specific area of study. EIU does not offer doctorate degree programs, but we do have graduate degree programs where students can earn their Master’s degrees and be prepared to earn a doctorate degree at another university. You can learn more about EIU’s graduate school here.
Dual Credit: College credit you earned while still in high school. Taking a dual credit class is an affordable way to get started early with your college education and get a feel for the pace and rigor of university. EIU accepts most credit for dual credit classes from other universities, and offers several dual credit classes as well. Find out more about dual credit at EIU here.
Electronic Writing Portfolio (EWP): The method by which EIU ensures that students are effective writers. The portfolio is a compilation of three samples of a student’s writing that may come from any undergraduate course for which the student has completed an appropriate writing assignment. Find more information here.
EIU Pharmacy: Located conveniently in the south quad, the Pharmacy provides students with medications prescribed by Medical Clinic providers, private physicians, and dentists. The Pharmacy also carries a variety of over-the-counter medications, as well as other personal items. Find more information here.
E-Number: A unique student ID number issued to those admitted to EIU, which helps identify students. The E-Number can be found on one’s Panther Card. It’s the 9-digit number starting with "E.”
FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is a form completed before each year of college to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study. Colleges use data from FAFSA to determine the federal aid eligibility of students. For more information about FAFSA, or financial aid in general, click here.
Final Exam: A test you take at the end of the semester to evaluate how much you learned in that class, usually a significant portion of your final grade. Some classes have final projects or essays instead of a test. You can see the final exam schedule for EIU here.
Food Pantry: The EIU Campus Food Pantry provides food to anyone who has a Panther Card. EIU students and staff are eligible to visit the food pantry two times each month. Find more information here.
Freshman student: A student who has never taken coursework at a college or university (not including dual credit courses). Also known as a first-time student. Most freshman students apply during their senior year of high school.
Full-time student: To be considered a full-time student at EIU, a student must take 12 or more credit hours.
Gateway Program: The Gateway Program provides access for students who are first in their family to attend college, reside and attend a high school in an economically depressed area, or live in a low-income household. The program offers its students a personalized academic plan and individualized attention during their first year at EIU. Find more information here.
General Education Courses (Gen Eds): These courses offer students an intellectual foundation for their future academic, professional, and personal lives. Students are required to take general education courses in order to graduate. For information about the general education courses students are expected to take at EIU, click here.
Graduate Student: A student who has already completed an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree, and is working on a master’s degree. EIU offers 40 master’s degree programs, and you can learn more about them here.
Grant: A type of financial aid that you do not have to repay. Each grant has different requirements for eligibility. Eligibility for need-based grants is determined using federal and/or state formulas and the information the student provided on the FAFSA. For more information, click here.
Independent Study: A form of educational activity an individual student can take with little supervision. It is an opportunity to pursue areas of study not regularly offered through courses in a particular university. Many undergraduate programs at EIU offer the opportunity to work on an independent study with the mentorship of a faculty member. Some programs that offer independent study include English, biochemistry, and political science.
Intercollegiate Sports: Sports and games played competitively with other colleges and universities. Most team members are recruited by coaches while still in high school or at a community college. EIU has over 20 athletic teams competing at Division I, the highest level of competition offered by the NCAA. Learn more about EIU Athletics here.
Intramural Sports: Sports and games played recreationally with other students at the same university. Intramural sports is a great way to have fun, meet friends, and get exercise without the extended travel and time commitments of being on an athletic team. EIU’s Student Recreation Center offers multiple team and individual sports leagues, with tournaments held year round. Find more information about intramural sports at EIU here.
Loan: Money borrowed in order to fund one’s college education. Unlike scholarships and grants, loans must be repaid. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private lenders, such as banks. More information about student loans can be found here.
Major: The specific subject area that a student specializes in for a two- or four-year degree. EIU offers over 80 majors through four academic colleges: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Lumpkin College of Business and Technology, and the College of Health and Human Services. Find more information, including the full list of majors available at EIU, here.
Master’s degree: An academic degree given to a student who, after receiving a bachelor’s degree, pursues additional education in a specific field of study or area of professional practice. It is usually awarded after one or two years of graduate study. EIU offers 40 Master’s degree programs, and you can learn more about them here.
Meal Plan: A meal plan allows a student to eat a specific number of meals each week in the University-operated dining centers. At EIU, a meal plan includes a certain amount of meals per week, bonus meals, and Dining Dollars. Learn more about EIU’s available meal plans here.
Midterm Exams: A test you take in the middle of the semester to evaluate how well you are doing in class. Not all courses have midterms.
Minor: A subject area study something outside of their major or something that complements their major. A minor does not take as long as a major to complete and is not required for graduation. EIU offers over 90 minors Find more information, including a full list of minors available at EIU, here.
NetID: Your EIU NetID is used along with your secure password to access systems on the university campus such as: Panthermail, PAWS, EIU Online, and many others.
Office Hours: Time scheduled outside of class during which professors and teaching assistants can meet with students. During office hours, students can discuss class material with their professors and ask them questions.
Orientation: A program for incoming students before they start classes, designed to help them get familiar with the campus and university resources, meet with an academic advisor, register for courses, and meet other new students. At EIU, Orientation is required for all freshman students and strongly encouraged for transfer students. Learn more about Orientation here.
Panther Card: A Panther Card is a student’s identification card, which functions as a library card, a swipe for meal plans, and Dining Dollars. The card grants students access to sporting events and Panther Shuttle transportation for free. For more information about how Panther Cards work, click here.
Panthermail: An email system used at EIU. This is the official communication channel of the university, and some information, such as scholarship offers and student bills, will only go to a student’s Panthermail account. All EIU students with an active EIU NetID and password can access Panthermail at eiu.edu/panthermail.
Panther Express Shuttle: A campus shuttle that takes students around campus, and to Walmart, County Market, and the Charleston square. Find more information about the shuttle’s schedule and policies here.
Part-time student: At EIU, a college student who takes fewer than 12 credit hours a semester is considered a part-time student.
PAWS: PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services) is an online system that enables students to access personal, student, financial, and employee information. This is also where students register for courses each semester. All EIU students, faculty, and staff with an active EIU NetID and password may access PAWS by logging in at eiu.edu/paws.
PhD: An academic degree awarded by universities, which typically takes four or more years to complete. Also called a doctorate degree, it is the highest earned academic degree in the U.S., symbolizing someone’s expertise in a specific area of study. EIU does not offer doctorate degree programs, but we do have graduate degree programs where students can earn their Master’s degrees and be prepared to earn a doctorate degree at another university. You can learn more about EIU’s graduate school here.
Practicum: A course that allows students to apply what they’ve learned in class to a real environment, helping them gain real-life experience in their field of study. Some EIU undergraduate programs offer practicum opportunities, including early childhood education, human services, and more.
Prerequisite: A course that must be completed in order to enroll for another course. Sometimes this is called a “pre-req” for short.
Provost: The chief academic officer of a university who helps with managing budgets and developing policies. The provost serves as the primary representative for the president of the university in his/her absence and supervises the work of the university’s deans and senior academic staff. At EIU, the provost works under the Office for Academic Affairs. To learn more about the provost, as well as academic affairs at EIU, visit our Academic Affairs website.
Registrar: The registrar of a university maintains student records and course data, such as students’ transcripts, to make sure they are on track for graduation. Registrars help students register for classes, declare a major or minor, and more. To learn more about the registrar’s role at EIU, visit our Office of the Registrar website.
Residence Hall: Where a student lives during their time at a college or university. EIU has 11 residence halls, 2 apartment complexes, and Greek Court, so there are many housing options available for students. Learn more about residence halls at EIU and the services they provide here.
Resident Assistant (RA): A Resident Assistant lives on each floor in every residence hall. RAs serve as a resource for everyone on the floor and are knowledgeable about EIU services, personnel programs, policies, and procedures. They help build a community by holding programs for the floor, encouraging residents to attend them and get to know who they are living with for the school year.
Room and Board: The cost of living on campus at a university, which includes student housing and a meal plan. The cost varies depending on the residence hall and meal plan a student chooses, as well as if the student chooses to make room upgrades. Learn more about room and board here.
RoomSync: RoomSync is an application that can help a student in their quest of finding a compatible roommate. RoomSync allows students to search for potential roommates by lifestyle preferences, such as their preferred bedtime, activity level, likes, and dislikes. Learn more about RoomSync here.
RSO: A Registered Student Organization, or RSO, is an organization or club for students with similar interests to get to know one another and work together toward common goals. Joining an RSO is a great way to meet friends, build your resume, make professional connections, and explore your interests. EIU has over 100 RSOs available to fit everyone’s needs, including RSOs that are social, multicultural, academic, and more. Check out EIU’s RSO listings here.
Scholarship: A payment made to support a student’s education that a student does not need to pay back, offered for academic merit or other achievements. EIU has hundreds of scholarships available to both incoming and current students that students can apply for using our scholarship database. Learn more about scholarships at EIU here.
School: A subdivision sometimes used within a university, usually bigger than a department but smaller than a college, that houses similar programs. For example, at EIU, the School of Communication and Journalism has five related programs under its umbrella: Communication Studies, Health Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, and Television & Video Production.
Semester: The amount of time it takes to complete a class, usually 16 weeks. Most students begin classes in the Fall semester (August through December) and start a new set of courses in the Spring semester (January through May). Some students take classes during the Summer semester, while others choose to return home or complete an internship.
Study Abroad: A class taken in a country outside the United States. Courses can last from a couple of weeks to a full semester. EIU offers 560 study abroad opportunities to over 55 countries on 6 continents. Learn more about studying abroad here.
Syllabus: A student’s guide to a course, its policies, required texts, and schedule of assignments. At EIU, professors typically make the syllabus available via D2L, the learning management system EIU uses, or hand out printed copies during the first week of classes.
Textbook Rental Service: A service that provides EIU students with allows students to rent their textbooks at an affordable cost. Most universities require students to purchase their textbooks, but EIU believes this is an unnecessary financial burden on students. Instead, EIU students pick up or receive their necessary textbooks for the semester and return them at the end of the semester, which saves the average student around $1200 each year. For more information about the textbook rental service, click here.
Transcript: An official record of all the classes you have taken and grades you have earned. Official transcripts are required in order to be admitted to a university, and they must be sent directly by each high school or college you have ever attended. (Transcripts sent by the student or parent are unofficial and cannot be accepted for admission purposes.)
Transfer student: A student who has taken courses at another college or university (not including dual credit) and wishes to transfer their college credit to earn a 4-year (bachelor’s) degree. Learn more about transferring college credit to EIU here.
Tuition: The cost of taking classes at a university, which varies depending on the educational institution. Other college costs include room and board, personal expenses, and books. Learn more about tuition at EIU here.
Undecided Student: A student who has not yet declared a major, typically if they are not sure what they want to study in college. At EIU, “undecided” is the most popular “major” for incoming freshmen. EIU also offers academic advising, helping students find courses that interest them to help them figure out which path is right for them. Learn more about being undecided at EIU here.
Undergraduate Student: A student who is working on a 4-year (bachelor’s) degree. Find more information, including the full list of undergraduate majors available at EIU, here.
W/Withdraw: At EIU, during a fall or spring semester, a student can withdraw from a course on or before the tenth class day, and the course will be dropped from the student record with no grade assigned. From the eleventh class day until the 11th class week of the semester, a student may withdraw from a course with a grade of “W,” which does not affect the student’s GPA. Learn more about how withdrawal works at EIU here.
Work-study: A way for students to earn money to fund their education through part-time on-campus jobs. EIU offers opportunities for work study with over 60 departments, including the Academic Affairs Department, the Financial Aid Department, the University Police Department and more. Learn more about work study at EIU here.