Glossary of Terms
A glossary of Enrollment Management terms serves as a vital resource for ensuring clarity and consistency across campus partners, students, and staff. Defining commonly used terms helps demystify processes, promote transparency, and foster shared understanding throughout the student journey -- student journey making key concepts accessible to all.
A-E
Emory University offers three primary admission plans: Early Decision I (ED I), Early Decision II (ED II), and Regular Decision. In addition, students may apply for consideration to the Emory University Scholar Programs, which offer merit-based scholarships and specialized programming.
Early Decision I (ED I) is a binding admission plan for students who are certain Emory is their first choice. The application deadline is November 1, and decisions are released by December 15.
Early Decision II (ED II) is also binding, with a later timeline. The application deadline is January 1, and decisions are released by February 15.
Binding means that if admitted and the university makes the education financially accessible, the student must submit their deposit and enroll.
Regular Decision is a nonbinding option that allows students more time to consider their college choices. The deadline is January 1, with decisions released by April 1. Applicants may apply to Emory College, Oxford College, or both using a single application. Most applicants choose this plan.
To be considered for the Emory University Scholar Programs, students must apply by November 15 and opt in via the Common Application. Scholar Programs are not a separate admission plan but an opportunity layered within the application process
Emory defines attrition as the loss of students who leave a program or the university before completing their degree. This can include voluntary withdrawals, academic dismissals, or other forms of non-completion.
At Emory University, an Award Package refers to the complete financial aid offer a student receives after submitting all required application materials. It includes the maximum amount of aid the student is eligible for, based on federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
An estimate of the total cost for one year of study including tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses (travel, personal costs, loan fees, textbooks, and school supplies.) Students may have higher actual costs due to additional fees, meal plan selection, etc.
Completed forms can be scanned and emailed to your respective student account representative or mailed to the Student Accounts and Billing office.
Deferment and forbearance offer a way for you to temporarily postpone or lower your loan payments while you’re back in school, in the military, experiencing financial hardship, or in certain other situations.
Find out more about deferment.
Find out more about the difference between deferment and forebearance.
Calculation of the amount spent on total aid funded by the university divided by gross tuition and fee revenue at that institution. Discount Rate, NACUBO (National Association of College University and Business Officers). The NACUBO discount rate calculation equals total university spending on undergraduate aid, including awards funded from endowment and annual gifts, divided by gross undergraduate tuition and fee revenue. Undergraduate spending in this calculation includes spending from tuition and fee revenue, endowment, and gifts. Undergraduate aid in this calculation includes merit aid, need based aid and athletic aid but does not include employee tuition benefit aid. This is a nationally standardized calculation which is used to compare institutional spending.
Emory University defines the enrollment funnel as the progression of stages a prospective student moves through—from initial interest to final enrollment. It’s a strategic framework used to guide recruitment, communication, and admissions efforts across the university.
The funnel typically includes these core stages:
Prospect: A student who has shown interest but hasn’t yet engaged directly (e.g., visited the website, attended a college fair).
Inquiry: A student who has interacted with Emory—requested information, joined a mailing list, or attended an event.
Applicant: A student who has submitted a completed application.
Admit: A student who has been offered admission.
Enrolled: A student who has accepted the offer and matriculated.
Emory University's Advantage Plus program, launching in Fall 2026, expands financial aid to cover full tuition for eligible undergraduate students from families earning up to $200,000 annually. It applies to domestic, first-degree students in Emory College, Oxford College, Goizueta Business School (BBA), and the School of Nursing.
Aid is provided through a mix of federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. While it covers tuition only (not room, board, or fees), it’s expected to benefit around 2,500 students, or 30% of undergraduates.
Advantage Plus builds on the original Emory Advantage program, extending support to middle-income families and reinforcing Emory’s commitment to affordability and access.
F-G
The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a U.S. Department of Education educational loan program for creditworthy biological or adoptive parents or stepparents of undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time.
Although the FAFSA is required to apply for a Parent PLUS loan, awards are not based on need. Borrowers typically begin repaying the principal and interest within 60 days of the final disbursement.
Download our "Applying for a Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)" guide [PDF] to learn more about the application process.
Students need to make payments to their loan servicer. Each servicer has its own payment process, so check with your servicer if you aren’t sure how or when to make a payment. Students are responsible for staying in touch with their servicer and making payments, even if they do not receive a bill.
Find out more about repayment of your federal student loans.
Federal Pell Grant awards for undergraduate students pursuing their first baccalaureate degree range from $767 to $7,395. Grant amounts will be prorated for less than full-time enrollment.
Eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant is determined using information provided on the FAFSA. No additional application is required for this program.
Federal and state funding at Emory University refers to financial aid programs provided by the U.S. government and state agencies to support eligible students in covering the cost of their education. These funds are typically awarded based on financial need and are administered through grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities.
Federal Pell Grant: Awarded to undergraduate students with significant financial need; amounts range from $740 to $7,395 depending on enrollment status.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): Additional funding for students with exceptional financial need.
State Grants: Available to Georgia residents who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships.
Federal Work-Study Program: Offers part-time campus jobs to help students earn money toward educational expenses.
Eligibility: Determined primarily through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which assesses financial need and enrollment status.
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) at Emory University is a need-based federal grant awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. It is part of Emory’s broader commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students.
Emory University’s financial aid is funded through a combination of federal, state, institutional, and private sources. These programs ensure that Emory can meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for undergraduate students
Federal aid programs: Includes Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Federal Work-Study.
State aid programs: Georgia residents may qualify for HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships, among other state-based grants.
Emory institutional grants and scholarships: Need-based Emory University Grants, merit scholarships, and Emory Advantage (which replaces need-based loans with grants).
Tuition benefit programs: Support from a parent’s employer, religious organizations, or other affiliations.
Private scholarships and external funding: Awards from foundations, nonprofits, and community organizations that students can apply for independently.
At Emory University, forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge refer to federal and institutional student loan programs that relieve borrowers of repayment obligations under specific circumstances.These options are designed to support students who face financial hardship, pursue public service, or meet other qualifying conditions.
Are you a Georgia resident? You may be eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship if you graduated from an eligible high school and earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. (NOTE – GPA calculations for this scholarship are based on letter grades only; pluses and minuses such as A- or B+ are ignored.)
The award amount for the HOPE Scholarship is determined annually by state appropriations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, full-time HOPE scholarship recipients were awarded $2,496 per semester; half-time HOPE scholarship recipients were awarded $1,248 per semester. Although HOPE Scholarship awards are not awarded based on need, they will reduce any other full-tuition scholarships a student can receive.
There are two ways to apply for the HOPE Scholarship. To be considered for this scholarship, in addition to other federal and state aid sources, you must complete the FAFSA. If you wish to be considered for the HOPE Scholarship only, complete the Georgia State Finance Commission Application (GSFAPP) and submit the Georgia HOPE Scholarship/GTEG Supplemental Residency form (PDF) to Emory's Office of Financial Aid.
If you are a Georgia resident attending or planning to attend Emory full-time, you may be eligible for a non-repayable Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG). Requirements for this grant include graduation from an eligible high school at least 12 months before the first term in which you receive the grant or graduation from a non-eligible high school plus established residency at least 24 months before the first term in which you receive the grant.
Recipients will be awarded $550 per semester. Although GTEG grants are not awarded based on need, they will reduce other full tuition scholarships you can receive.
There are two ways to apply for the Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant. To be considered for this grant and other federal and state aid sources, all you need to do is complete the FAFSA. If you wish to be considered for the GTEG Scholarship only, complete the Georgia State Finance Commission Application (GSFAPP) and submit the Georgia HOPE Scholarship/GTEG Supplemental Residency form (PDF) to Emory's Office of Financial Aid.
You may be eligible to receive the Zell Miller Scholarship if you fall into one of two categories:
- You graduated from an eligible high school, earned a grade point average of 3.7 or higher, and received a minimum score of 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT. (NOTE – GPA calculations for this scholarship are based on letter grades only; pluses and minuses such as A- or B+ are ignored.)
- You graduated from an eligible high school as the class valedictorian or salutatorian.
Zell Miller Scholarship award amounts are determined annually by state appropriations. For the 2024-2025 academic year, full-time recipients were awarded $2,985 per semester; half-time recipients were awarded $1,493 per semester.
There are two ways to apply for the Zell Miller Scholarship. To be considered for this scholarship in addition to other sources of federal and state aid, all you need to do is complete the FAFSA. If you wish to be considered for the Zell Miller Scholarship only, complete the Georgia State Finance Commission Application (GSFAPP) and submit the Georgia HOPE Scholarship/GTEG Supplemental Residency form (PDF) to Emory's Office of Financial Aid.
H-Z
Emory University offers both federal and private loans to help students finance their education. They encourage students to prioritize federal loans first, which often have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options. Emory also has its own loan programs, some of which are collected and serviced by the Student Accounts and Billing Office.
Federal Loan Options
Direct Subsidized Loans: Need-based loans for undergraduate students, where interest does not accrue as long as the student is enrolled at least half-time.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans: These loans are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and interest accrues from the time of disbursement.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan: This loan is available to graduate students, but the lender determines the interest rates and fees.
Private Loan Options
- Emory has a list of private education loan lenders that students can choose from.
- Students can borrow up to the full cost of education, less any other financial aid received, provided they and their cosigner meet the lender's requirements.
- Emory doesn't restrict students to a specific lender, but advises them to compare rates, fees, and terms when choosing a loan.
Emory's Own Loan Programs
- Emory has its own loan programs, which are collected and serviced by the Student Accounts and Billing Office.
- These loans are distinct from federal loans and have their own terms and conditions.
Additional Information
- Emory's Office of Financial Aid can guide choosing the right loan options.
- Students should consider applying for financial aid through the FAFSA and CSS Profile first to take advantage of potentially lower-interest federal loans.
Consolidating your federal education loans can simplify your payments, but it also can result in loss of some benefits. A Direct Consolidation Loan allows you to consolidate (combine) multiple federal education loans into one loan. The result is a single monthly payment instead of multiple payments.
The US Department of Education uses several loan servicers to handle the billing and other services on loans for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program and for loans made initially under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program but now owned by the Department of Education.
Discover how loan servicers operate and find out who manages your student loan.
The amount by which the Cost of Attendance (COA) exceeds a student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Need equals COA minus EFC.
Income from tuition and fees less institutionally funded spending on financial aid.
Preferential packaging at Emory University refers to the way financial aid packages are structured to maximize grants and scholarships before loans, ensuring that students with demonstrated need receive the most favorable mix of aid possible.
At Emory University, self-help aid refers to financial aid that requires the student to contribute through work or borrowing, rather than receiving gift aid like grants or scholarships.
The Student Hardship Fund at Emory University provides emergency financial assistance to students facing unexpected and serious financial challenges. It is donor-funded and designed to help students continue their education despite unforeseen obstacles.
The number of students who enroll divided by the number admitted. Higher yield is considered desirable.