A first-year student is anyone who graduated high school without attending a higher education institution post high school graduation. Current high school students involved in dual enrollment are considered first-time in college students.

A transfer student is anyone who has attended another higher education institution for any period of time post high school graduation. Current high school students involved in dual enrollment are considered first-time in college students. Transfer students are evaluated primarily on the basis of their college-level work unless they have less than 30 college credits completed.