Glossary of Terms for New College Families

A Family with Grad

Terms to Know – Framingham State University

Starting college comes with a lot of new terminology, from academic requirements and financial aid to campus resources and online tools. Our Terms to Know guide is here to help parents and families navigate the college experience with confidence, understand the language you’ll hear along the way, and know where to turn when you have questions. Whether your student is just beginning the college search or already a Ram, we’re here to help you feel informed, connected, and ready to support their success.

Academics & Registration

Understand how classes, degree planning, and academic support work.

  • Major: A student’s primary area of study. Each major has specific required courses and may require internships or hands-on experiences.
  • Minor: An optional secondary focus consisting of 5 courses. It complements a major and counts toward total graduation requirements.
  • Credits: Units earned for passing a class. Students must complete a minimum of 30 courses/credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, made up of major classes, general education, and electives.
  • General Education (Gen Ed) Courses: Required foundation courses across a broad range of topics. Most students take 10 Gen Ed courses to complete their degree. See the General Education requirements.
  • Grade Point Average (GPA): A measure of academic performance on a 4.0 scale. It updates at the end of each semester to reflect new grades.
  • The Advising Center (O’Connor Hall): Where professional advisors help students choose classes, explore major requirements, or change majors.
  • Advisor: A faculty member or professional staff who guides students through major requirements, course scheduling, and career/internship opportunities.
  • Add/Drop: The brief period (the first 6 days of the semester) when students can adjust their class schedules without penalty.
  • Course Withdraw: Leaving a class after the Add/Drop deadline. A "W" appears on the transcript. It does not lower the student's GPA, but it can affect financial aid and graduation timelines.
  • Registrar’s Office (McCarthy Center, 5th Floor): Maintains official academic records, processes major/minor changes, tracks graduation progress, and evaluates transfer credits.
  • Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA): Offers free tutoring, study coaching, and disability accommodations to help students succeed academically.
  • Study Abroad (Office of International Student Services & Study Abroad - Dwight Hall): Programs that allow students to earn academic credit taking courses, interning, or volunteering in another country for a semester, summer, or short-term break. Learn more about studying abroad at FSU.
Money, Billing, & Financial Aid

Manage tuition, billing, financial aid, and campus spending (dining, laundry, bookstore).

  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The annual federal form used to determine eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study. (FSU’s priority deadline for returning students is March 1).
  • Financial Aid Office (McCarthy Center, 5th Floor): Helps students and families understand financial aid offers, grants, and loans. Each student is assigned a dedicated financial aid counselor.
  • Student Accounts Office (McCarthy Center, 5th Floor): Handles billing, payment plans, and refunds. Students can set up family members as "Authorized Users" to view and pay bills online.
  • Work-Study: A federal financial aid program that funds part-time, on-campus jobs for eligible students.
  • RAM Cash: Funds added online that students can spend at campus dining spots, the bookstore, laundry facilities, and vending machines.
  • Dining Dollars: Funds included with student meal plans for buying snacks, drinks, and single items at any campus dining location using their student ID card.
Online Portals & Tech Tools

The primary digital platforms at Framingham State University.

  • Family Experience Portal (framingham.campusesp.com): A dedicated portal for parents and families to customize news updates, campus event calendars, and helpful guides.
  • myFramingham: The central student website for checking class schedules, viewing bills, accessing financial aid, and accessing degree planning tools.
  • DegreeWorks: An online checklist (found inside myFramingham) showing completed courses, current grades, accepted transfer credits, and remaining requirements needed to graduate.
  • Starfish: An online platform used by professors and advisors to schedule student appointments and share academic updates or praise.
  • Handshake: FSU’s job board where students find on-campus jobs (including work-study), off-campus part-time work, and internships.
  • Ramlink: The student website for exploring campus clubs, organization meeting times, and student events.
  • Medicat Patient Portal: A secure health portal where students upload required immunization/physical records and message Health Center staff.
Campus Life, Community & Student Support

Offices and programs focused on personal development, safety, and campus resources.

  • Office of Family Engagement: Serves as a primary point of contact for parents and family members, providing resources, communications, and events to keep you connected with the university and equipped to support your student’s success
  • Center for Student Experience and Career Development (EXP): Oversees student orientation, campus clubs, student activities, and career prep (resumes, interview coaching, and internships).
  • Center for Inclusive Excellence (CIE - O’Connor Hall): Hosts multicultural programming, heritage month celebrations, and diversity workshops, while advising student affinity groups.
  • Resident Assistant (RA): Trained student leaders who live in the residence halls to mentor students, plan activities, and maintain a safe, welcoming community.
  • Security Desk Attendant (SDA): Student employees who staff the front desks of residence halls to monitor visitor check-ins and ensure hall safety.
  • Peer Leaders: Experienced student leaders who support others as tutors, mentors, orientation guides, and student government members.
  • RAM Tram: A free campus shuttle transporting students to campus parking lots, local shopping centers (Target, Natick Mall), and the Commuter Rail.
Health, Wellness & Safety

Free, on-campus resources to keep students safe, healthy, and supported.

  • Health Center (Foster Hall): Provides free basic medical care, injury treatment, and lab testing to all students, regardless of health insurance.
  • Counseling Center (Foster Hall): Offers free, confidential short-term mental health counseling, stress management, and crisis support.
  • Wellness Education Office: Provides resources and programs to help students build healthy habits and balance college life.
  • University Police Department (FSUPD): On-campus police officers dedicated to campus safety, emergency response, parking management, and safety workshops (Call: 508-626-4911).
  • Blue Emergency Phones: Emergency call boxes located across campus that connect immediately to FSUPD with the press of a button.
Commonly Used Acronyms
  • CASA: Center for Academic Success and Achievement
  • CIE: Center for Inclusive Excellence
  • EXP: Center for Student Experience and Career Development
  • FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
  • FSUPD: Framingham State University Police Department
  • GPA: Grade Point Average
  • RA: Resident Assistant
  • SDA: Security Desk Attendant
  • SSC: Student Services Center (McCarthy Center 5th Floor — houses Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and the Registrar)