Glossary of Terms

College comes with its own language. This glossary explains the tools, programs, and terms you'll hear most often as a new student — grouped so you can find what you need fast.

Systems & Portals

  1. Applicant Status Portal

    Your Applicant Status Portal is where you can view your admissions checklist. This account is created when you submit your admissions application, and it's where you'll track the status of your application and see which documents have been received or are still missing.

  2. MyMCC

    MyMCC is your student account hub. Use it to register for classes, check your grades, view your financial aid, pay your bill, and see your class schedule. Think of MyMCC as your official record — it's where the college keeps track of you as a student.

  3. Brightspace

    Brightspace is where your actual coursework happens. Once you're registered, your classes will appear here — this is where you'll find your syllabus, turn in assignments, take quizzes, and message your instructors.

    Quick way to remember it: MyMCC is your student record. Brightspace is your classroom.

  4. Student Planning

    Student Planning is the tool inside MyMCC that you'll use to search for classes, plan out future semesters, and register. Your advisor can also see your plan here, which makes advising appointments faster.

  5. MyAlert

    MyAlert is MCC's emergency notification system. It sends texts, emails, or calls about campus closures, weather delays, or safety alerts. Make sure your contact information is up to date in MyMCC so you don't miss an alert.

Academic Planning

  1. Degrees & Certificates

    A degree (like an Associate Degree) usually takes about two years and can prepare you to transfer to a university or enter the workforce. A certificate is shorter and focuses on specific job skills, often letting you start working sooner.

  2. Core Classes

    Core classes are general education courses, such as English, math, science, history, and social sciences. They build the foundational knowledge and skills you need in any program, and they typically count toward a bachelor's degree if you transfer.

  3. Pathway

    A pathway is a recommended sequence of classes for your specific degree or certificate. Following your pathway helps make sure you're taking the right classes in the right order, so you don't waste time or money on courses you don't need.

  4. Prerequisite

    A prerequisite is a course you must complete before you're allowed to register for a more advanced class. Prerequisites make sure you have the background knowledge needed to succeed in the next course.

  5. Registration & Enrollment

    Registration is the process of officially signing up for your classes each semester. You'll register through Student Planning in MyMCC after meeting with your advisor.

    Accepted is not the same as enrolled. Once your application is processed, you're accepted to MCC. You become officially enrolled after you meet with your advisor and register for classes.

  6. Census Date

    The census date is a set point in each semester when your enrollment is officially recorded. It affects your financial aid eligibility and is also the deadline for certain schedule changes, like dropping a class without it appearing on your transcript.

  7. Withdrawal (W)

    Withdrawing from a class after the census date results in a "W" on your transcript instead of a grade. Unlike dropping before census, a withdrawal can affect your financial aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress, so talk to your advisor first.

  8. Advising

    Advising is guidance you get from a college staff member to help you choose classes, stay on track for your degree, and plan your semesters. Meeting with your advisor is required before you can register for classes and is one of the best ways to make sure you're taking the right courses and avoid delays in finishing your program.

  9. Success Coaches

    Success Coaches support you outside the classroom. They can help with things like study habits, connecting to campus resources, working through personal challenges, and staying motivated toward your goals.

  10. Official Transcript

    An official transcript is a certified, secure record of your academic history. It includes the courses you've taken, grades earned, and graduation dates. Many students mistake this for their diploma — but a transcript is different from your diploma.

  11. Highlander Prep

    An online orientation experience for first-time-in-college students that helps you prepare for your first semester at MCC. You'll learn how to use important MCC systems and resources and get familiar with the tools you'll need to be successful before classes begin.

Paying for College

  1. FAFSA

    FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's the application you complete to apply for federal financial aid, and it's used to determine your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and student loans.

  2. Title IV

    Title IV is the part of federal law that creates most types of financial aid — including grants and loans — that you apply for through the FAFSA. If a form or policy mentions "Title IV funds," it's talking about this federal aid money.

  3. Scholarships vs. Grants

    Both scholarships and grants are financial aid you don't have to pay back. Scholarships are usually awarded based on merit, talent, or specific criteria. Grants are usually awarded based on financial need, often determined by your FAFSA.

  4. Loans

    A loan is money you borrow to pay for college that you must pay back later, with interest. There are a few different types:

    • Direct Subsidized Loans — for students who show financial need. The government pays the interest while you're in school.
    • Direct Unsubsidized Loans — available regardless of financial need. Interest starts building right away, even while you're in school.
    • Parent PLUS Loans — taken out by a parent, not the student, to help cover costs.

    Always talk to Financial Aid before accepting a loan, so you understand exactly what you'll owe and when.

  5. Cost of Attendance (COA)

    Your Cost of Attendance is an estimate of what it will cost you to attend MCC for a specific period, like an academic year. It includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses, and it's used to figure out how much financial aid you're eligible for.

  6. Student Aid Index (SAI)

    Your Student Aid Index is a number calculated from your FAFSA that estimates how much your family can contribute toward your education for the year. Financial Aid uses your SAI, along with your Cost of Attendance, to determine your aid eligibility.

  7. Disbursement & Refund

    Disbursement is when your financial aid is applied to your student account to cover tuition, fees, and other charges. If your aid is more than what you owe, the extra amount is sent to you as a refund.

  8. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

    Satisfactory Academic Progress is the standard you must maintain — including GPA and pace toward completing your program — to keep receiving financial aid. MCC reviews SAP at regular intervals throughout your enrollment.

  9. Verification

    Verification is a review process where your FAFSA information is checked for accuracy. If you're selected for verification, you'll need to submit documents confirming details like income and household size before your financial aid can be finalized.

Program Types

  1. Credit vs. Non-Credit

    Credit classes count toward a degree or certificate and appear on your official transcript. Non-credit classes (often through Continuing Education) build job skills or personal interests but don't count toward a degree.

  2. Dual Credit

    Dual Credit lets high school students take college courses that count toward both their high school diploma and a college degree or certificate at the same time — a head start on college at little to no cost.

  3. Continuing Education

    Continuing Education offers short-term, non-credit classes and trainings — things like workforce certifications, professional development, and community classes. These are separate from degree programs.

  4. Transfer Degrees

    A transfer degree is designed to move directly into a bachelor's degree program at a university. It's built around general education and core courses that most four-year schools will accept.

  5. University Center

    The University Center lets you earn a bachelor's or master's degree from a partner university without leaving MCC's campus. It's a good option if you want to transfer but stay local.

Rights & Support

  1. FERPA

    FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of your education records. It means MCC generally cannot share your grades, schedule, or other academic information with anyone — including parents — without your written consent.

  2. Title IX

    Title IX is a federal law that protects students from discrimination, harassment, and violence based on sex. If you experience or witness something that may violate Title IX, MCC has staff and resources available to help.

  3. Accommodations

    Accommodations are adjustments — like extra test time or note-taking support — that help students with disabilities access their classes fully. If you think you might need accommodations, reach out to MCC's disability services office early in the semester.

  4. EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity)

    EEO refers to policies that protect students and employees from discrimination based on things like race, sex, age, disability, or religion. MCC is committed to fair treatment for everyone on campus.