Glossary of Terms for California In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT)
Themes/Topics: Higher Education
Geography: California
Audience: Educator, Undocumented Youth
This glossary is intended to support undocumented individuals and the educators who serve them as they complete the CA In-State Tuition Tool (ISTT). It helps clarify certain terms included in the ISTT to ensure users are able to answer questions accurately. These definitions are gathered and summarized from different resources.
Terms
AB 343
California law that exempts eligible students from paying nonresident tuition at the California Community Colleges. Students must have been granted special immigrant visas pursuant to a specified federal statute, or are refugees admitted to the United States under a specified federal statute, and who, upon entering the US, settled in California. [Back to Top]
AB 540
Associate degree
Undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study at a college. A minimum of 60 units and specific educational requirements are required. [Back to Top]
California College Promise Grant
Grant that allows eligible California residents to have their enrollment fees waived. Previously called the Board of Governors (BOG) Fee Waiver. [Back to Top]
California Dream Act (AB 130/131)
Allows eligible undocumented students to apply for and receive state-based financial aid and institutional scholarships to fund their college education. [Back to Top]
California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE)
Test that verifies high school-level skills and knowledge. Those who pass receive a Certificate of Proficiency, which is equal to a California high school diploma and GED. [Back to Top]
Credit
Number value assigned to each class offered at a college or university. It’s a measurement of its level, intensity, and the number of hours students spend on it each week. [Back to Top]
Credit Courses
Classes that provide students with the units needed to transfer or graduate from a college or university. At California public colleges and universities, they are counted in semester or quarter units. They are considered degree applicable or non-degree applicable. [Back to Top]
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Temporary protection given by the government with the promise not to deport the foreign national. Individuals who are granted deferred action are neither placed on a path to citizenship nor given a formal immigration status. [Back to Top]
Degree applicable courses
Classes used to meet unit requirements for a degree or certificate at colleges or universities. [Back to Top]
General Education Development (GED)
Test and credential that certifies basic high school-level skills and knowledge. The test includes four subject areas: math, language arts, science, and social studies. The credential is equivalent to a high school diploma. [Back to Top]
High school diploma
Certificate awarded upon high school graduation. It’s typically earned after a course of study lasting four years, from grade 9 to grade 12 and shows achievement of high school-level skills and knowledge. [Back to Top]
High School Equivalency Test (HiSet)
Test and credential showing attainment of basic high school-level skills and knowledge. The test covers five subject areas: math, reading, science, social studies, and writing. The credential is equal to a high school diploma and GED. [Back to Top]
In-state tuition (AB 540/SB 68)
The amount of tuition that a California resident for tuition purposes pays at a California Community College, California State University, or University of California. In California, being eligible for in-state tuition (AB 540/SB 68) means you may also be qualified to get financial aid through the CA Dream Act. [Back to Top]
International Student Visa
A nonimmigrant student visa that allows individuals to pursue an education (academic studies and/or language training programs) in the U.S. Includes F-1 and J Visas. [Back to Top]
Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)
Noncitizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States. They may also apply to become US citizens if they meet certain eligibility requirements. [Back to Top]
Minimum transfer requirements to a CSU or UC
Admission requirements needed in order to transfer into a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC). They vary by school and major, but normally start at a minimum of 60 transferable units to meet the general education requirements for each system (CSU or UC) and lower-division requirements for each major. [Back to Top]
Non-credit courses
Classes that serve professional, personal, or recreational needs at non-credit institutions, colleges, and universities. They are counted in classroom hours, semester units or quarter units. They CANNOT be used towards a degree, but may help to fulfill requirements for a vocational certificate. [Back to Top]
Non-degree applicable courses
Classes meant to help students prepare for college-level work. They CANNOT be applied towards a degree or certificate. [Back to Top]
Nonimmigrant Visa
Certificate issued or a stamp marked on a person’s passport by the immigration authorities of a country to indicate that the person’s credentials have been verified and he or she has been granted permission to enter the country for a temporary stay within a specified period. This permission, however, is conditional and subject to the approval of the immigration officer at the entry point. [Back to Top]
Quarter
An academic term that makes up a full academic year. Each school calculates their academic year in the form of four quarters or two semesters (plus summer school). Semester units are counted as one and one-half times the value of quarter units. [Back to Top]
SB 68
Semester
An academic term that makes up a full academic year. Each school calculates their academic year in the form of two semesters (plus summer school) or four quarters. Semester units are counted as one and one-half times the value of quarter units. [Back to Top]
Special Immigrant Visa
A lawful immigrant visa that is available to persons who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. Government in Iraq or Afghanistan and meet certain requirements. [Back to Top]
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Immigration status granted to persons already in the United States who came from certain countries experiencing conditions of war or natural disasters. [Back to Top]
Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC)
Test and certificate showing attainment of high school-level skills and knowledge. The test covers five subject areas: math, reading, science, social studies, writing. The certificate is equal to a high school diploma and GED. As of January 2020, TASC is no longer offered in California. [Back to Top]
T Visa
Visa for those who are or have been victims of human trafficking and are willing to assist law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of acts of trafficking. [Back to Top]
Undocumented
Immigrants who are foreign-born people that do not possess a valid visa or other immigration documentation, because they entered the U.S. without inspection, stayed longer than their temporary visa permitted, or otherwise violated the terms under which they were admitted. [Back to Top]
Unit
Number value assigned to each class offered at a college or university. It’s a measurement of its level, intensity, and the number of hours students spend on it each week. [Back to Top]
U.S. Citizen
Person who, by place of birth, nationality of one or both parents, or having successfully completed any applicable requirements, is granted full rights and responsibilities as a member of the United States. [Back to Top]
U Visa
Visa available to foreign nationals who 1) have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse resulting from a wide range of criminal activity, and 2) have been helpful, are being helpful or are likely to be helpful with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. [Back to Top]
Back to Resources