Student Success

Each new student at App State is assigned a professional academic advisor in University College. This person's job is to help their advisees with everything from settling on a major or career to getting involved on campus to selecting classes for the next semester. Once a student declares a major, they will be assigned an advisor in their academic discipline. This person could be a professor or a professional advisor.

The academic calendar contains dates regarding schedule cancellation, withdrawal, course drops, University breaks, and exam times, as well as other important deadlines that students are responsible for knowing. App State's academic calendar runs from the beginning of fall semester through the end of the summer classes the next calendar year.

A specific area of study, such as Geography or Environmental Science. Also known to college students as a "Major."

App State’s Academic Integrity Code is designed to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, fairness, honesty, and responsibility. All members of the App State community are responsible for promoting an ethical learning environment.

Being in good academic standing at App State requires a student to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher. If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 2.00, that student is placed on academic probation. Undergraduate students are allowed only two semesters on academic probation, and these do not need to be consecutive. If a student has not raised their cumulative GPA to 2.00 or higher after two semesters on academic probation, they are academically suspended and may not take classes at App State in fall or spring semesters until they raise their cumulative GPA or return under one of App State’s forgiveness policies.

If a student’s overall GPA (Grade Point Average) is below a 2.0 for more than two semesters, the student will be placed on academic suspension and is not allowed to take courses during the Fall and Spring semesters.

A portion of an academic year, the time during which an educational institution holds classes. An academic term is the same as a semester, see Semester definition.

Period at the beginning of each semester during which students can drop courses from their schedule and/or add new courses to their schedule (if space is available) without penalty.

Refers to courses taken at the high school level (AP) which may be eligible for college course credit. The App State AP Credit Policy indicates the university does not accept any scores lower than “3” and sometimes gives additional credit for scores of “4” or “5.” You may review the policy at https://transfer.appstate.edu/node/443.

Formal agreements between two or more colleges and universities documenting the transfer policies for a specific academic program or degree Articulation agreements support seamless transfer from one institution to another. You may review the policy at https://transfer.appstate.edu/prospective-students/transferring-credits/articulation-agreements

A form of paid academic employment in which students receive tuition reimbursement or stipends for the tasks they perform for faculty members, departments, or entire colleges. 

AsULearn is the University’s official online course management system. It allows instructors to post course information like handouts or videos, make assignments, give quizzes, and hold class discussions. AsULearn allows students to easily access class information, submit assignments, and communicate with the instructor and other students in the class. To log into AsULearn, visit https://asulearn.appstate.edu/ To learn how to use AsULearn, visit https://h5p.org/node/545615.

A bachelor’s degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree. Historically, the term “college degree” meant a bachelor’s or traditional four-year degree. Bachelor degrees are also sometimes called baccalaureate degrees. These are abbreviations of the degrees offered at App State. They represent the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ), Bachelor in Social Work (BSW), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). There are different requirements for each degree. You may review a comprehensive list of all bachelor’s degrees offered by App State at https://www.appstate.edu/academics/majors/.

Service that allows students to view/update their addresses, register for courses, obtain unofficial transcripts, view holds, access bills, make payments, view final grades, register for parking, view schedules, update parent access to records, officially declare their  major, as well as many other student activities.

Upon confirmation of admission to App State, each student is assigned a banner ID. This is your student identification number and is a nine digit number starting with 900.

An informational catalog listing each college in the university along with every major offered by those colleges, up-to-date university policies, every course which could be offered by the university along with the prerequisites and descriptions as to  what will be covered in each course. The Bulletin acts as a student’s guide to degree requirements for the year they entered Appalachian State University (known as their Catalog Year).

A college certificate validates your knowledge of specific skills often in a demanding field within the workplace. Essentially, a certificate acts as evidence that a student completed education and/or training in a specific field during their college courses. At App State, graduate students may earn stand-alone certificate, though undergraduate students seeking a certificate must do so in combination with a bachelor’s degree program.

The leader of a college or university, usually either the executive or ceremonial head of the university or of a university campus within a university system. Sometimes called the President, though within the University of North Carolina System, the top leader on each campus is called the Chancellor. App State’s chancellor is Dr. Sheri Everts.

The Chancellor’s List recognizes full-time students who receive a grade-point average of 3.85 or higher in any semester. (Semester hours must earn grade points and credit toward graduation.)

At the end of each semester, students are classified based on the number of hours earned. Classification affects your declaration of major, your assigned registration time, your housing and parking assignments, and financial aid, but it does not affect continued enrollment at App State. The classifications are First Year (0-29 hours) Sophomore (30-59) Junior (60-89) Senior (90+).

Co-requisites are courses you must take in the same semester, such as Chemistry 1101 (lecture) and Chemistry 1110 (lab). Because you can’t take one without the other, be sure to register for both courses at the same time.

The CLEP is a series of examinations in 35 introductory college subjects that allow individuals to earn college credit for what they already know regardless of how that knowledge was acquired. The 90 minute exams are administered via computer at the ASU Testing Center. You may review our CLEP Credit Policy to determine the scores needed to be awarded CLEP credit athttps://transfer.appstate.edu/node/443.

App State is divided into smaller academic units called colleges and schools. These units, which generally house academic disciplines of similar kinds, include the Beaver College of Health Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Reich College of Education, and the Walker College of Business.

The ceremonies at which degrees or diplomas are conferred at a school or college. Also referred to as Graduation.

Every year, App State chooses a book that the whole campus can read together. By participating in the program, students engage in a common intellectual activity with other students, faculty, and staff that introduces them to academic life on campus. New students receive a copy of the chosen book at Orientation in the summer so that they have several weeks to read the book before they arrive on campus in fall.

A comprehensive examination, often abbreviated as "comps," is a specific type of examination that must be completed by graduate students in some disciplines and courses of study. At some institutions it is known as a preliminary examination.

A ceremony held at the beginning of the academic year to welcome new students to App State’s academic community. It is also intended to convey to students the importance of their educational work and to show the school’s commitment to support students as they pursue their education.

A catalog listing the courses offered by a college or university.

A course the student is currently enrolled in, or officially registered for in an upcoming term.

Course Numbers are a series of numbers that are often three digits long for community colleges, and four digits for universities.  As a general rule, the 1000 and 2000 level courses are first year and sophomore courses, the 3000 level are junior courses, 4000 are senior courses, and 5000 are for graduate students.

Time period where students sign up for classes they will take the upcoming semester. 

Appalachian’s official review of student’s college level coursework, completed at another institution. The credit evaluation determines equivalent and/or elective credit to be added to the student’s record.

A unit of measuring educational credit, usually based on the number of classroom hours per week throughout a term.

A student may petition to have any course designated as elective credit equated to a specific App State course or any course designated as elective credit reviewed for General Education credit by initiating the Transfer Coursework Petition process.You can learn more about the credit petition process at https://transfer.appstate.edu/current-students/petitioning-credit-visiting-coursework-unc-online/petitioning-credit.

The Dean’s List recognizes students who carry 12-14 hours of coursework and attain a grade point average of 3.45 or higher. A student with 15 hours or more of coursework who attains a grade point average of 3.25 or higher is also recognized for the Dean’s List.

DegreeWorks is a web-based tool designed to help students monitor their academic progress towards degree completion. It can be accessed through the student’s AppalNet account.  Students can view courses they have completed and see what requirements still need to be completed before they can graduate.  DegreeWorks also allows students and their advisors to plan courses to be taken in future terms to meet those requirements. For more information about DegreeWorks visit  www.degreeworks.appstate.edu.

Typically a faculty member in a particular department, assigned by the dean to manage the department.

A dissertation is a lengthy and formal thesis containing original research on a particular subject matter, commonly required to complete a doctoral degree program. App State has two doctoral degree programs.

The highest level of academic degree in most fields. For research or university teaching, the degree is usually a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), while applied professional doctorates include the Doctor of Medicine (MD), the Doctor of Education (EdD), the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and the Juris Doctor (JD), among others.

North Carolina's early colleges and other innovative high schools are small public high schools, usually located on the campus of a university or community college, which expand students’ opportunities for educational success through high-quality instructional programming. Early College students complete high school while simultaneously earning college credit towards an Associate’s degree or credits that will transfer to a four-year institution. Currently, North Carolina has 132 Cooperative Innovative High Schools. Visit NC Department of Public Instruction’s website for more information.

New students are required to complete ERA before they arrive on campus for Orientation. Early Registration Advising is an online course that helps you get familiar with General Education and your degree requirements and lets you register for classes before you even step on campus for Orientation. If you do not complete ERA before arriving at Orientation, you will be expected to complete it at Orientation.

Free electives are classes that do not fulfill requirements for your General Education, major, minor, or concentration.  Some majors or minors include required electives that need to be chosen in consultation with an advisor in the appropriate department. If you’re not sure you have room for electives in your degree program, log into DegreeWorks at https://dw.appstate.edu/Dashboard/login.html and discuss your options with your advisor before signing up for classes.

The number of credit hours a student is enrolled in each semester, for purposes of loan deferments, financial aid eligibility or any other official certification.  May also be called rate of pursuit.

Fees include particular costs associated with college seperate from the cost of classes (tuition). These fees vary depending on college but often include activity fees, health fees, technology fees, counseling fees, transportation fees, and enrollment fees. Fees may be mandatory, like the health service fee, or optional, like parking pass fees.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, mandates that, with the exception of “directory information,” no student data can be released without the written permission of the student. Parent access to information can be granted through an option on your AppalNet account. You may grant your parents access to some or all of the following types of information: Academic Records, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Housing, and/or Conduct Records. Visit registrar.appstate.edu/resources/ferpa/ferpa-students for more information.

Exams given to students at the end of a class term to summarize and test what was learned during the class.

Any student formerly enrolled as an undergraduate student at App State may choose to re-enter the university under one of two forgiveness policies. Either of these policies permit a student to retain all earned credit while resetting his/her institutional cumulative grade-point average to 0.00 for academic standing and graduation purposes. Students wishing to return to App State under forgiveness must apply for readmission, select the desired forgiveness policy, and send official college transcripts from all accredited institutions attended after leaving App State. You can find more information about App State’s forgiveness policies at https://registrar.appstate.edu/students/readmission/forgiveness-policies.

The Four Year Guides are meant to serve as examples of how a degree can be completed in four years. Because each student’s situation is different, you will probably not be taking courses in exactly the order they are listed on the guide for your major, but you should use the online guides to tailor the degree requirements to meet your own graduation goals. Any Advance Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate®  (IB), or transfer coursework can affect your particular four year plan. Work with your advisor (especially your major advisor after you declare) to adapt the four year guide to your situation. View Four Year Guides at  fouryearguides.appstate.edu. 

When a student’s general education course requirements have been completed, often with an Associate Degree.

A variety of disciplines that build a common foundation of knowledge that promotes responsibility, critical thinking and lifelong independent learning. 

The first four courses that students retake will be automatically processed using grade forgiveness.  The initial grade remains on the transcript, but is no longer part of the GPA calculation. Visit https://registrar.appstate.edu/resources/policies/academic-policies/repeat-policy for more information about the Grade Forgiveness Policy.

The ceremonies at which degrees or diplomas are conferred at a school or college. Also referred to as Commencement.

The minimum number of hours required for graduation is 120, although some majors may require up to 128 hours.  In order to achieve a degree from App State, an undergraduate student must complete the following “in residence” requirements. 1- a minimum of eighteen (18) semester hours in the major and (if applicable) nine (9) semester hours in the minor; 2- at least 25% of the credit hours required for the degree 3- in addition to these residency requirements, at least 50 semester hours must be taken at a senior institution (a four-year college). Consult your Undergraduate Bulletin at  bulletin.appstate.edu for more information about graduation requirements.

The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, with or without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.

Typically a class where you do the "hands on" work for a course. They're often offered for science courses so students can actually engage with the material they're learning (such as mixing chemicals in chemistry, dissections in biology). They can include doing experiments, writing reports, tests, etc.

An oral presentation intended to present information or teach people about a particular subject.

Academic subjects such as literature, philosophy, mathematics, and social and physical sciences that are distinct from professional and technical subjects.

A group of courses required by a college in order to receive a degree –– an area you specialize in, like Accounting or Chemistry. A college major may be called an "academic major", "major", or "major concentration."

You may have indicated an intended major when you applied for admission to App State. However, to officially declare your major, you must: 1. Have 30 earned hours 2. Have earned credit for RC 1000 (or equivalent) 3. Have a 2.0 GPA (or be a first semester transfer student) 4. Have earned credit for or currently be taking a First Year Seminar course(UCO 1200 for most students; HON 1515 for Honors students; or WRC 1103 for students in Watauga Residential College). You may learn more about the declaration process athttps://advising.appstate.edu/current-students/declare-your-major.

A graduate degree that is earned by a student usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree.

A matriculated student is a student who is enrolled in the university, and classes, and is officially enrolled in a degree program. A non-matriculated student is a student who is enrolled in a university, and classes, but is not officially enrolled in a degree program.

Tests given generally in the middle of the course term to assess knowledge obtained thus far in the class.

A minor is a secondary academic discipline–another subject to focus on in addition to the major. If a student has multiple interests–even interests that don’t directly connect to each other–they can minor in another field. Some majors require students to minor in a discipline outside the major.

Times when you can meet with your professors and teaching assistants to discuss the material being presented in class or other related interests you have. Professors usually announce their office hours on the first day of class or on their print or web-based course material/syllabus.

The Pass-Fail option may only be taken by a full-time undergraduate student. During the summer, only one course may be taken on Pass-Fail. Stipulations which limit this policy are: 1) the student must be enrolled full-time, defined as taking a minimum of twelve hours, 2) the student must be classified as a sophomore, junior, or senior, 3) the student must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0, 4) the student will be allowed to choose this option a maximum of six times, and 5) courses which comprise the student's major, minor, or core curriculum requirements cannot be taken on pass-fail. Pass-fail forms must be submitted to the Registrar's Office prior to the close of drop-add.

A course that is required before you can advance to the next course. For example, Spanish 1 must usually be taken before Spanish 2.

This allows eligible undergraduate students early access to the registration system during the beginning of the Early Registration Period on the priority registration day each fall and spring semester.

The person teaching classes. At App State, most professors have earned the highest degree available in their particular academic discipline.

The modern university provost is the university’s chief academic officer and under the Chancellor, is responsible for the creation and implementation of the academic priorities for the university and for the allocation of resources that will support those priorities.

All first year students have required advising starting their first semester and until they have 30 earned hours. New transfer students who do not declare their majors right away will also have required advising, regardless of how many hours they transfer to App State.

A college program to train students to become officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A unique process for awarding associate degrees to students who have transferred in pursuit of a bachelor's degree, before completing the requirements for an associate degree, at a two-year institution. For more information click here.

A term typically lasting fifteen weeks for Fall or Spring, but only five weeks in Summer. At App State, there are two Summer semesters.

A semester hour (s.h.) indicates the number of credits you earn for a particular course and an approximate number of hours you spend in that class each week. Most students need to take 15-16 semester hours of appropriate coursework each term in order to graduate in four years.

Student research is self-directed work in which students from all areas of study work individually, or as part of a team, to explore issues of interest to them. Students and faculty mentors work together to design and implement a research, scholarly, or creative project and then communicate the results to others.

The term given to a program which allows a student to attend a university in another country. App State offers numerous opportunities which can be found here https://international.appstate.edu/education-abroad.

A syllabus is an outline or summary of a course of study. Each professor provides a syllabus, usually on the first day of class, which outlines for you the areas of study, required texts, extra items needed for the course, conduct policies, and other policies such as grading and attendance. Be sure to review the syllabus of each of your courses to ensure that you understand what is expected of you.

A graduate student at a college or university who teaches classes or who assists the primary instructor. App State has relatively few teaching assistants.

Tenure is a professor’s permanent job contract, granted after a probationary period of six years. At larger universities, a faculty member’s ability to publish research and attract funding plays a major role in tenure decisions. Teaching ability and service to the university play a supporting role.

App State operates a textbook rental program that saves you money. The only books you have to purchase are paperbacks or other supplemental texts required by your professors. All rental textbooks may be picked up in the University Bookstore, top floor, at the beginning of each semester. Call (828) 262-3070 or visit bookstore.appstate.edu.

Documentation of a student's permanent academic record, which usually means all courses taken, all grades received, all honors received, and degrees conferred to a student.

Transfer Admissions & Engagement provides the knowledge and resources necessary to empower students through their Appalachian journey by advocating and collaborating to build the bridges necessary for transfer student recruitment, transition, integration, and success. The office provides services for recruitment and selection of undergraduate transfer students, credit evaluation and credit acquisition, pre-transfer and online student advising, mentoring, transitional support, engagement and retention. Recognizing the diversity of transfer and online students and the wide spectrum of questions and needs, the office helps students transition and acclimate to Appalachian through various programming, technology, and dedicated customer service support.

Transfer Guides (or Baccalaureate Degree Plans/BDP’s) have been developed for all majors at App State. These guides are designed to assist North Carolina community college students with choosing appropriate coursework to meet both major and general education requirements.  All transfer guides are an example of how a student could complete a transfer degree at a North Carolina community college and then transfer to App State to complete a bachelor's degree.

Tuition is the price universities and colleges charge for classes that covers the costs of teaching and instruction. Students also pay other fees related to enrolling in and attending classes. The cost of tuition and fees varies by institution.

First Year Seminar (UCO 1200) introduces first year App State students (first-year and transfers) to rigorous academic study at the University level through interdisciplinary engagement with a variety of disciplines and perspectives, the foundation of the university's General Education program.

UNC Online provides access to online courses from the 16 campuses of the UNC system. App State degree seeking students may register for online courses offered through other UNC Campuses via the University of North Carolina Online website. Students must be approved by the home and host institutions to participate in the program and can begin the approval process by registering for the desired course(s) through the UNC Online site.

The first level of postsecondary education a student can pursue. This can include a 4-year college bachelor's degree program or a 2-year associate's degree program.

A student pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. 

University College consists of the university's integrated general education curriculum, academic support services, residential learning communities and co-curricular programming - all designed to support the work of students both inside and outside of the classroom. To learn more about University College, you can visit https://universitycollege.appstate.edu/about.

A junior or senior in college.

Courses designed to give students continued support for writing during their careers at App State, with writing experience each year.  Courses include Freshman Year-RC 1000, Sophomore Year-RC 2001, Junior Year-WID (Writing in the Disciplines) course, and the Senior Year-Capstone course.

Students may take a course at another institution (commonly over the summer) and transfer that coursework back to App State, under the conditions that the course is transferable and the grade earned is a C or better. The student will retain credit for the course, however, this grade will not impact the student’s GPA at App State. Students are encouraged to request permission (get pre-approval) for Visiting Coursework prior to completing the course to ensure the course will transfer back to App State as intended.

A waitlist allows students to try to get a seat in a full class section. Not all departments use a wait list, but if it is used, and all the seats in a class have been filled, students can add their name to the waitlist. Then, if a student drops the class, the open seat can be filled by a student on the wait list. Students are emailed when a spot opens for them in a full class and must register for the course within a specified time period, usually 18 hours. If a student does not register within the allotted time period, the seat goes to the next person on the wait list.

If a student decides to stop participating in a course BEFORE the withdrawal deadline, it is defined as dropping a course. If a student decides to stop participating in a course AFTER the deadline, it is defined as withdrawing from a course. Withdrawing means to discontinue one or all courses for the current term and/or future terms.

App State-ALERT is App State’s official emergency messaging system consisting of voice and text alerts, outdoor sirens, computer pop-ups, and web messages. Students can sign up to receive emergency voice and text messages by visiting emergency.appstate.edu.

AppalCart is Boone's free bus service. There are route maps available at the Information Desks in the Plemmons Student Union. Each bus stop also has a timetable of when the buses will arrive. Check out AppalCart's website for route information https://appalcart.com. Students may also download NextBus for real time route information.

AppalNet is a landing page for students to have convenient access for campus information and services (e.g. your App State Gmail, Advising Appointments, DegreeWorks, etc.). Students can access and update much of their personal student information by logging into AppalNet Self Service.

The App State ID card, called the AppCard, provides admission to campus events and fee supported services (use of the library, admittance to athletic events, etc.). In addition to the official identification function of the AppCard, it also manages two separate debit accounts – the Meal Account and the Express Account.

Appalachian Orientation Leader Corps (Appol Corps) is a group of student leaders (both freshman and transfer) who serve as orientation leaders during Welcome Weekend each August. These student leaders welcome new students to App State and assist in their transition to college life. https://welcome.appstate.edu/pagesmith/9.

A large facility in which meals are available to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. App State’s dining hall is formally called Roess Dining Hall, often referred to as “Central.” Roess does not operate between semesters, between summer sessions, or during fall or spring breaks.

The Club Sports Program at App State is designed to offer opportunities for students, faculty and staff to participate in a variety of competitive sports and recreational activities. Each team is organized and conducted by its members under the direction of the Club Sports Council.

Refers to activities, programs, and learning experiences that complement, in some way, what students are learning in school—i.e., experiences connected to or mirror the academic curriculum. Co-curricular activities are typically, but not always, defined by their separation from academic courses.

An office and staff dedicated to engaging students and families through a culture of care, using education, advocacy, support, and accountability, as they navigate the transformational App State experience. https://deanofstudents.appstate.edu/

A one-stop connection to engagement and leadership opportunities at App State. Every member of our campus has access to Engage, and as a user, you can explore over 400 clubs, organizations, departments, and programs on campus. Once you get the hang of it, Engage resembles a Facebook atmosphere with portals, events, and a campus calendar. https://appstate.campuslabs.com/engage/.

You can establish an Express Account, which is a debit account (a declining balance account where you can only spend as much as you deposit into the account).  An Express Account allows you to conveniently use your App State ID card in the University Bookstore, all food services and vending areas, and in some campus laundry facilities. There is no fee to open an Express Account. Contact the AppCard Office at (828) 262-6141 or visit appcard.appstate.edu. 

Most colleges have social clubs called fraternities and sororities on campus. Collectively, these groups are called the “Greek system,” because each house is named after two or three letters of the Greek alphabet. More information about Greek life at App State can be found at https://fsl.appstate.edu/.

Serves as App State’s online career services portal that provides easy access to job and internship postings, on-campus recruiting, career fairs, employer contact information and scheduling counseling appointments. It connects current students and alumni with potential employers to help build meaningful careers. You can logon to handshake at https://appstate.joinhandshake.com/login.

Intramural Sports offers the opportunity for students to compete against their peers in a friendly and structured environment. Through team sports, individual/dual activities or special events, you can find the activities that fit your needs. More information about the intramural sports offered at App State can be found at https://imsports.appstate.edu/.

A meal account may also be referred to as your meal plan. This is a pre-paid account for your on-campus meals. At the start of the term, you pay for all the meals you'll eat in the dining halls. You'll then swipe your AppCard every time you enter a dining area, and the value of your meal will be deducted from your account. For more information about meal accounts please visit https://appcard.appstate.edu/students-parents/meal-accounts.

This is a pre-paid account for your on-campus meals, snacks, and necessities. There are different options (low, standard, high, and super) depending on the needs of any particular student. You may learn more about meals plans at https://appcard.appstate.edu/students-parents/meal-accounts.

A public transit vehicle tracking system which uses global positioning satellite information to predict when the next AppalCart will arrive at any given transit stop, thereby reducing wait times and the reliance on schedules. The mobile app offers transit riders a host of features, including walking directions to the nearest stop route and stop options. You can visit the NextBus website online at http://www.nextbus.com/?a=appcart#!/appcart/greeneast/asucstat/meadesta  or download the mobile app on your phone.

You may register your car for campus parking over the web by accessing this site:  parking.appstate.edu. All students registered for classes are eligible to apply for a permit. The parking area depends on your class standing and availability of spaces. All campus parking lots are located on the AppalCart route, our local bus service.

For students who violate the Student Code of Conduct, a sanction can be something a student has to do (e.g., complete a program, attend a workshop, or pay a restitution fee) or it could be a status imposed on the student for a period of time (e.g., a loss of privilege, being placed on disciplinary probation or suspended).

Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) are undergraduate students dedicated to making all incoming first year and transfer students feel welcomed as they transition into life at App State. SOULs help students meet their needs whether by building a class schedule, helping navigate resources on campus, or making connections to peers, faculty, and staff.

The Student Recreation Center includes a gymnasium, pool, climbing wall, and more.

At App State, University Recreation provides structured and unstructured leisure time activities for students. It is through these activities that students learn life-long skills that contribute to their social, physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and development. University Recreation also serves as a laboratory for training in Recreation Management and related fields. Additionally, University Recreation is responsible for scheduling various athletic and recreational facilities. https://urec.appstate.edu/

The Cost of Attendance (CoA) is not a bill. It is an estimate designed to help students understand what it would cost to attend university for one academic year. The Cost of Attendance is based on full-time enrollment and includes direct and indirect costs. Direct Costs are billed by the university while Indirect Costs are expenses that the student will likely incur, but not pay to the university.

The difference between a university's Cost of Attendance and a family's ability to pay. Demonstrated Need is determined by the FAFSA.

Direct costs are the expenses billed to the student by the university and may include tuition and fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans.

Subsidized loans are available to undergraduate students who have completed a FAFSA and have financial need. The amount of the loan is determined by the university and depends on the student's cumulative number of credit hours, cost of attendance, and other financial aid awards offered. The Dept. of Education pays the interest on Subsidized loans as long as the student is enrolled in 6+ credit hours. This loan is in the student's name and does not require a cosigner or credit check. Terms and conditions are available at studentaid.gov.

Unsubsidized loans are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students who have completed a FAFSA. The amount awarded depends on the student's cumulative number of credit hours and the cost of attendance. Unsubsidized loan offers do not depend on financial need and interest begins accruing monthly after the loan has been disbursed. This loan is in the student's name and does not require a cosigner or credit check. Terms and conditions are available atstudentaid.gov

A figure determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The EFC is used to determine a student's eligibility for various award programs and is calculated through a federally established algorithm that considers income, taxes paid, and household information.

A form that must be filled out annually to receive federal aid. https://studentaid.gov.

These loans are offered by the Department of Education and include Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Parent PLUS loans. Students must complete a FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive any Federal Direct Loan.

Any form of financial support (money) received to support a student’s education (and the process of applying for and receiving this support).

The documentation sent from a university to a student detailing the amount and types of financial support they are eligible to receive. Award letters are sent in the spring after a student has submitted their FAFSA through https://studentaid.gov and turned in their admissions application to the university.

Unique, secure personal identification used for filling out the FAFSA, applying for student and parent loans, and accessing financial aid history and information.

Grants are financial aid funds that do not have to be repaid and are awarded based on financial need. Students can apply for state and federal grants by completing the FAFSA.

Expenses listed in the Cost of Attendance that a student will likely incur, but not pay toward the university. This may include supplemental supplies, off-campus housing, transportation to and from campus, and other personal expenses.

Financial aid given to students based on their academic accomplishments, musical, artistic, or athletic talent, or other special abilities. Merit aid is independent of a student's financial need.

Eligibility for need-based aid is determined through the FAFSA. Need-based aid is awarded solely on the basis of a student's demonstrated financial need.

Private loans are offered through non-government organizations such as banks and credit unions, independent lenders, and state-affiliated organizations. Terms and conditions vary depending on the lender. Private loans may require a co-signer and/or a credit history. Money from a private loan pays directly to the university.

In order to be eligible for state and federal aid, a student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). SAP standards require students maintain a 2.0 GPA, successfully complete 67% of their attempted credit hours, and complete their degree program within 150% of the published program length. Students who fail to meet one or more of the criteria listed may be ineligible for aid or have to complete an appeal in order to receive financial aid.

Scholarship awards are earned by the student. These awards require individual applications and can be need-based or merit-based.

Work-Study is a federally funded employment program that allows students to work part-time for an hourly wage. Students are offered work-study awards based on financial need and should apply through the FAFSA.

From latin, a group of people who have graduated from a particular school, college, or university. The singular versions are alumna (f) and alumnus (m).

The Appalachian Student Ambassadors are a group of 50 undergraduate students who serve App State as official student representatives for the Office of Admissions, the Alumni Association, and the Office of the Chancellor.

App State’s homepage is a tool for finding answers to almost any questions you have while you’re here. You can link to AppalNet, AsULearn, the library, and a wealth of other information. Search the homepage for links to the websites of departments and University offices or use the A-Z Index found in the upper right hand corner. You can also check the homepage for announcements about weather-related University closings and the latest App State news. The homepage is appstate.edu.

The student account is an account where the student's educational fees are charged and billed. If you receive financial aid, this is where the financial aid is credited.

A student who comes from a family where neither parent holds a four-year college degree.

Non-traditional students are undergraduate students who are 25 years old or older at time of enrollment; are married, divorced, or partnered; are a parent or caregiver of a family member; and/or are a military veteran, reserve, or active duty. You may find more information on how App State supports our non-traditional students at https://transfer.appstate.edu/prospective-students/non-traditional-students

At ASU, the Office provides an independent, confidential environment for faculty, staff and students of the App State community to discuss campus related concerns or problems. You may find more information about the App State Ombuds at https://ombuds.appstate.edu/.

To grant a FERPA release to your parent(s), guardian(s), or spouse to access your student information, you should log into your AppalNet Self-Service account, click on the Student tab and then click on the Parent Access link. Enter the name of the party to whom you are granting access and create a 6-digit pin for your designee to use to access your information.

At ASU, the registrar office provides academic support services including student services and academic records management, degree and diploma processing, and student information systems management. They also provide information about registration, academic records, residency status, and degrees to the students and departments, while protecting employee and student privacy and the integrity of their records. Registrar.appstate.edu.

A centralized residency service for all students seeking admission to, and in-state tuition at a public college or university. Also for students seeking to be eligible for state grants as part of their financial aid package.

At App State, most students live on campus for only their first year. After this, students commonly live in apartments in and around Boone. The sublease is a lease from one tenant to another (called a subtenant). The agreement between the landlord and the original tenant remains in force and governs the terms of the sublease.

A former member of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) who served on active duty and was discharged under conditions, which were other than dishonorable.

Resident Assistants will have one on one intentional conversations, called App Chats, with their residents. App Chats are guided by a set of intentional questions designated to be asked at certain points throughout the academic year.

A full-time college or university employee in Housing who has primary responsibility for the supervision, management, and daily operations of a campus residence halls. Each Coordinator also supervises Residence Directors.

Desk Assistants provide administrative support to many different areas of University Housing. Specific job descriptions differ depending upon the area of assignment and individual supervisor. DAs may provide support for Coordinators, Assistant Directors, Housing Assignments, Service Desks, and the University Housing front desk area.

University Housing created the Faculty-In-Residence (FIR) program to provide students an opportunity to interact with faculty members outside of the classroom, as well as encourage faculty to share their academic and personal interests with on-campus residents. The program seeks to facilitate and encourage learning experiences outside of the classroom while enabling students to see faculty members beyond the classroom role. A FIR lives in an apartment in a residence hall.

Held in August, the community standards meeting happens a few days after the First Year Fall Opening Floor Meeting to provide residents an opportunity to discuss expectations and wishes they have for their floor. Residents will also discuss bias-related events and how those events affect the floor community. Last, residents will be able to provide their appropriate name for the door decoration (door dec) to provide a more inclusive community.

Held in August, the purpose of the initial floor meeting for first year students is to introduce residents to each other, start building connections and relationships with fellow residents, learn about student engagement opportunities occurring within the first few weeks of the semester, and to begin to understand what it means to live within a residence hall community.

Facilitated by a Resident Assistant (RA) at the beginning and end of each semester, floor meetings serve a few purposes.

Students entering Appalachian State University as new freshmen are required to live on campus and are guaranteed housing. An exemption from the first year  housing requirement may be granted to students who meet any of the following criteria: students who are married; students who are single parents; students who are veterans; students living with parents/guardians within a 30-mile driveable radius of campus. Any new, incoming first year student meeting any of these criteria who wishes to request an exemption from the housing requirement must complete the Housing Exemption Request and submit it to University Housing. Please be certain to include any supporting documentation necessary along with the exemption request.  https://housing.appstate.edu/pagesmith/97

Students entering Appalachian State University as a new student and have graduated from high school within the past year are required to live on campus and are guaranteed housing. There are many options to choose from. For more detailed information about the options as well as information about the application process, please refer to the following University Housing website:  https://housing.appstate.edu/pagesmith/110

Held in April or May, depending on the academic calendar, the purpose of this floor meeting is to inform residents about how to appropriately check out and leave the hall at the end of the academic year, update them on activities for the end of the year, and give closure to the community. The RA will bring all floor residents together in a common space, such as a floor lobby, and facilitate the meeting by speaking to the residents gathered.

The Night Safety Program is a service offered by University Housing that focuses on promoting safety.  One Night Assistant monitors each residence hall between the hours of 11:30pm-2:00am.  This program performs three vitally important functions: secures and monitors the residence halls to ensure a safe living environment for everyone, confronts inappropriate behavior and policy violations within the residence halls, and responds to crises within the residence halls.

Reapplication is the process for current students living on campus to apply for on-campus housing the following academic year.  This process is different from new, incoming freshmen/transfer applications and students who wish to move back on campus from off-campus housing. After applications are collected, a random invitation process takes place for students to select their assignment for the upcoming year. On-campus housing is not guaranteed for continuing students, including those with a spring start term.  Please visit https://housing.appstate.edu/reapp for further information and frequently asked questions.

A college or university graduate student employee in University Housing who has primary responsibility for the supervision, management, and daily operations of a campus residence halls.

A college or university building containing living quarters for students. This can include traditional rooms, semi-suites, hotel style, and apartment style rooms.

An undergraduate student trained peer leader in University Housing who serves to build a residential community through programming, acting as a mentor for students, being a familiar first resource for students with academic or institutional questions, and enforcing residence policies.

Residential Learning Communities (RLCs) at Appalachian State University provide students with a unique housing opportunity. One of the best ways to develop strong friendships and succeed in college is to join a learning community! RLCs are often linked to a course and sponsored by a specific college or academic department. This link affords students an academic learning experience outside of the classroom in a fun and educational setting. Students in RLCs linked to a course will automatically be enrolled in a section of the required course(s) by University Housing staff. For more detailed information about Residential Learning Communities, please refer to the following Website: https://housing.appstate.edu/pagesmith/4

On campus, there are Service Desks located on the east and west sides of campus. Typically the Assistant Director of University Housing for that half of campus and the Coordinators have their offices there.  In addition, the Service Desk is staffed with a Supervisor and Desk Assistant undergraduate students who will answer questions, provide a spare key if you lose your room key, and notify students when packages arrive.

Held in January, the purpose of the Spring Floor Meeting is to welcome residents back for the spring semester, review policies, update them on activities and programs for the Spring semester, and to continue building community on the floor. New residents will be able to become integrated into the floor community at this time.

Held in August, the purpose of the initial floor meeting for returning students is to introduce them to their new community, share campus and hall involvement opportunities, review roommate/suitemate agreements, discuss community standards, as well as re-acclimating them to pertinent Code of Student Conduct and University Housing Policies.

Held in November or December (depending on the academic calendar) the purpose of this meeting is to inform residents about how to leave the hall appropriately for the winter break, update them on activities for closing the semester, and to give closure to the community on the floor to prepare for any upcoming assignment changes in January. Students will prepare to be away from the residence hall for an extended period of time in terms of both relationships at ASU and away from campus as well as preparation of facilities and packing. Basic overview of the event: The RA will bring all floor residents together in a common space, such as a floor lobby, and facilitate the meeting by speaking to the residents gathered.

A Faculty Transfer Mentor is a faculty or staff member who develops supportive, academic relationships with prospective and new App State transfer students. Mentors provide help in understanding the curriculum and the student's remaining required coursework as well as provide guidance, support, and referral to resources that will benefit new students in a new environment.

The Office of Disability Resources (ODR) is the designated office to assist eligible students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities by determining access needs and coordinating academic adjustments or workplace accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504). Visit odr.appstate.edu.

At App State, the SLC provides six core services. Two services (University Tutorial Services and Academic Strategy Instruction) are offered to all undergraduate students, and four services (ACCESS, Student Support Services, As-U-R, and Academic Services for Student Athletes) serve specific groups of students identified as needing comprehensive support.

Title IX (nine) of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. At App State there is an office called The Office of Title IX Compliance. This office supports the University's mission of scholarship through the promotion of equity, access, and civil rights throughout the campus community, fostering an environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, including sexual misconduct and relationship violence.

Students who have previously transferred to App State and assist incoming transfer students by providing support, guidance, and answers to common questions. The Transfer Student Mentors (TSMs) lead campus tours, outreach to admitted and current students, and support Transfer Orientation and transfer student events.