Lexicon - Definitions - F

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FA
Financial Aid at CPCC includes federal Pell Grants, federal Work-Study, as well as merit-based and need-based scholarships.

FACTS
The College has contracted with FACTS Management Company in order to offer students an optional installment tuition payment plan. The following is from the company website:

"FACTS Management Company is committed to enhancing the financial stability and affordability of educational institutions. This goal is accomplished through various financial services including low-cost, automated payment plans for families and students as well as state-of-the-art information management technology. "

FACULTY ADVISOR
A member of the faculty in a program who is assigned as an advisor to students in that program to help them meet their educational needs.

FALL BREAK
A two day break in mid-fall semester when the College is open but classes are suspended and ten-month faculty and students have a vacation.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974  (FERPA) sets forth the requirements regarding the privacy of student records, known as education records. These regulations govern (1) release of education records and (2) access to them. At postsecondary institutions, anyone who is enrolled (regardless of age) and former students are protected by FERPA. More information can be found in the College catalog online.    

FERPA (see Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

FIREWALL
Software that prevents unauthorized access to a computer network.

F-1 STUDENT
A student studying under a student visa. These students can apply for a visa at U.S. embassies in their home countries. They complete an I-20 form issued by the Department of Justice.

FINAL EXAMINATION WEEK
A period of time at the end of each semester when instructors may schedule final examinations. The examination schedule is published with the Class Schedule so that students will know at the time of registration when the examination will be.

FIT
Focused Industrial Training, a statewide and state-funded program, provides for customized training and services to help manufacturing industries become more productive and more competitive. It is directed toward workers who need to update their skills and technical knowledge. Instruction is customized for company-specific training needs and may require small classes that cannot be delivered under regular program funds.

FLASH
Adobe/Macromedia Flash is commonly used to develop dynamic animated content and graphics. These are quite commonly seen on the Internet, on interactive media, and eLearning courses. Viewing Flash content may require students to install the free "Flash Player" plug-in.

FTE
The College is funded by the number of full-time equivalent students it has. This number is calculated when a class has met 10% of the total hours scheduled or is calculated by actual student contact hours. State funding is based on FTE. A curriculum FTE is based on one student taking 17 credit hours. Since CPCC curriculum students take an average of 7.2 hours per semester, it takes 2.2 students to make one FTE, worth about $4,022.  A literacy FTE is based on one student taking 688 contact hours. Since CPCC literacy students take an average of 16 contact hours per semester, it takes 42 literacy or adult high school students to make one FTE, worth about $3,950. An occupational extension FTE is based on one student taking 688 contact hours. Since CPCC occupational extension students take an average of 21 contact hours per semester, it takes 33 occupational extension students to make one FTE, worth about $3,474.

FULL-TIME STUDENT
A curriculum student registered for 12 hours or more of credit during fall or spring semester or for 9 hours or more during summer term.

FUTURES INSTITUTE
Established in 2004, the Futures Institute, composed of a steering committee and a scenario thinking team, will identify broad trends that will impact our programs and curriculum, as well as the pedagogical and technology methodologies that impact the way our students learn. The identification of these trends will enable us to develop innovative strategies to keep CPCC at the leading edge of workforce development.