Education Planning Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the terms that show up on school websites, college portals, and military application forms — without the runaround.
504 Plan
A 504 Plan is a formal accommodation plan under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that provides support for students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education services. Unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan does not require specialized instruction — it focuses on removing barriers so students can access the general education curriculum. Common accommodations include extended test time, preferential seating, and access to assistive technology.
Learn more: PCS Move & Gifted Program Transfer: What Military Families Need to Know →Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a structured, employer-sponsored training program that combines paid on-the-job learning with related technical instruction. Apprenticeships are federally registered through the U.S. Department of Labor and result in an industry-recognized credential upon completion. They are a powerful alternative to a four-year college degree, particularly in skilled trades, healthcare, and technology fields.
Learn more: Career Exploration for High Schoolers: Paths Beyond College →ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test used by all branches of the U.S. military to determine enlistment eligibility and job qualification. Scores are broken into composites — such as Mechanical, Electronics, and Skilled Technical — that determine which Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) a recruit qualifies for. Students can take a practice version in high school through the Student Testing Program, and early preparation can dramatically expand their career options.
Learn more: ASVAB Prep Timeline: When to Start and How to Score Higher →CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is a financial aid application administered by the College Board, required by approximately 400 colleges and universities — primarily private institutions — to award non-federal aid. It collects significantly more financial detail than the FAFSA, including home equity, business assets, and noncustodial parent information. Deadlines are often earlier than FAFSA deadlines and can vary by school, making it a common source of missed aid for unprepared families.
Learn more: Hidden College Application Deadlines Most Families Miss →CTE (Career & Technical Education)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a federally supported framework of programs that provide students with academic knowledge combined with technical and occupational skills. CTE pathways span 16 career clusters — from healthcare and IT to agriculture and manufacturing — and are offered at the high school level, often in dedicated CTE centers or integrated into comprehensive high schools. Strong CTE programs include work-based learning, industry certifications, and dual enrollment opportunities.
Learn more: Career Exploration for High Schoolers: Paths Beyond College →Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college courses and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, typically at reduced or no cost to the family. Programs are offered through community colleges, universities, and online institutions, and eligibility varies by state and school district. Dual enrollment is particularly valuable for homeschooled students who need to demonstrate college-level academic readiness to admissions committees.
Learn more: Homeschool to College Deadline Map: State-by-State Guide →Early Action (EA)
Early Action is a non-binding college application option that allows students to apply by an earlier deadline — typically November 1 or 15 — and receive an admissions decision by mid-December. Unlike Early Decision, students are not obligated to enroll if accepted and may continue applying to other schools. Some schools offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which limits simultaneous applications to other private institutions.
Learn more: Hidden College Application Deadlines Most Families Miss →Early Decision (ED)
Early Decision is a binding college application option where students commit in advance to attending a specific school if admitted. Students apply by an early deadline (typically November 1) and receive a decision in mid-December; if accepted, they must withdraw all other applications and submit an enrollment deposit promptly. Because of the binding nature, families should have clarity on financial aid packages before applying ED — and some schools offer Early Decision II with a January deadline.
Learn more: Hidden College Application Deadlines Most Families Miss →GPA (Weighted vs. Unweighted)
GPA (Grade Point Average) measures a student's academic performance on a numerical scale. An unweighted GPA caps at 4.0 and treats all courses equally, while a weighted GPA assigns higher point values to AP, IB, and honors courses — often scaling to 5.0 or higher. Colleges typically recalculate GPAs on their own scale during admissions review, so understanding the difference between how your school reports GPA versus how a college reads it is essential.
Learn more: Hidden College Application Deadlines Most Families Miss →IEP (Individualized Education Program)
An IEP is a legally binding document developed for students who qualify for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It outlines the student's present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, specific services to be provided, and accommodations needed to access the curriculum. IEPs transfer with students across schools — including across state lines during a military PCS move — though the receiving district has up to 30 days to review and revise.
Learn more: PCS Move & Gifted Program Transfer: What Military Families Need to Know →JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps)
JROTC is a citizenship and leadership development program sponsored by the U.S. military and offered at more than 3,500 high schools nationwide. It does not obligate students to military service, but participation develops discipline, public speaking, and teamwork skills while also providing a competitive edge for service academy applications and ROTC scholarships. JROTC units are branch-specific (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) and each has its own curriculum and activities.
Learn more: ASVAB Prep Timeline: When to Start and How to Score Higher →Magnet School
A magnet school is a public school with a specialized curriculum or instructional approach — such as STEM, the arts, international baccalaureate, or dual language — designed to draw students from across a district or region beyond their neighborhood attendance zone. Admission is typically competitive, requiring auditions, portfolios, test scores, or a lottery, with application windows that open as early as October for the following school year. Missing the application window often means waiting a full year for the next cycle.
Learn more: What Is a Magnet School and How Do You Get In? →PCS (Permanent Change of Station)
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is an official military relocation order requiring a service member and their family to move to a new duty assignment, often across state lines or overseas. On average, military families PCS every two to three years, meaning children may attend six to nine different schools before graduating high school. Each move introduces new school systems, enrollment requirements, credit transfer policies, and extracurricular program eligibility — all of which can derail academic and career planning without a deliberate tracking system.
Learn more: Military Family School Transition Guide: Managing PCS Moves →Service Academy Nomination
A congressional nomination is a required component of the application process for all five U.S. service academies (West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy). Students must secure a nomination from their U.S. Representative or Senator — or in some cases from the Vice President or military-affiliated sources — before an appointment can be offered. Nomination application windows typically open in April of a student's junior year and close in the fall, more than a year before matriculation.
Learn more: Military Academy Nominations: A Parent's Complete Guide →Transcript
An academic transcript is the official record of a student's coursework, grades, and credits earned at a school or institution. Colleges require official transcripts — sent directly from the school — as part of the admissions process, and homeschool families typically create their own transcripts following state-specific guidelines. Transcript requirements for homeschooled applicants vary significantly by college, with some requiring third-party review, accreditation documentation, or supplemental testing.
Learn more: Homeschool to College Deadline Map: State-by-State Guide →Vocational Program
A vocational program provides hands-on, skills-based training for a specific trade, craft, or technical occupation — including fields like HVAC, welding, cosmetology, medical assisting, and electrical work. Programs are offered through community colleges, technical institutes, CTE centers, and apprenticeship sponsors, with completion timelines ranging from several months to two years. Vocational credentials often lead directly to employment or industry licensure, making them a high-ROI alternative to a four-year degree for many career paths.
Learn more: Career Exploration for High Schoolers: Paths Beyond College →Weighted GPA
A weighted GPA assigns additional grade points to students who take advanced courses — typically AP, IB, or honors classes — to reflect the increased rigor of those courses compared to standard-level classes. On a weighted scale, an A in an AP course might earn 5.0 points rather than 4.0, potentially pushing a student's GPA above the 4.0 ceiling of an unweighted scale. Colleges often recalculate GPAs using their own formulas, so a high weighted GPA does not guarantee preferential treatment unless the course rigor is clearly visible on the transcript.
Learn more: Hidden College Application Deadlines Most Families Miss →Don't just learn the terms — track the deadlines
Knowing what an Early Decision deadline is won't help if you miss it. Launchpad maps every deadline to your student's grade level and goal — so nothing slips through the cracks.
Start tracking for free