As used in this part, the term:

(1) "Academic year" means a period of time, typically nine months, in which a full-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of at least two semesters' or three quarters' academic work.

(2) "Advanced degree" means a master's degree, specialist's degree, or doctorate in education conferred by an approved postsecondary institution upon completion of a unified program of study at the graduate level.

(3) "Approved teacher education program" means a program offered by a public or private postsecondary institution which program has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

(4) "Certificate" or "diploma" means a credential, other than a degree, indicating satisfactory completion of training in a program of study offered by an eligible public postsecondary institution.

(5) "Critical shortage field" means an area of study or an area of specialized expertise for which a shortage of qualified teachers or educators exists in Georgia, designated as such by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

(6) "Eligible high school" means a public or private secondary school which is:

(A) Located in Georgia and accredited as such by:

(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;

(ii) The Georgia Accrediting Commission;

(iii) The Georgia Association of Christian Schools;

(iv) The Association of Christian Schools International; or

(v) The Georgia Private School Accreditation Council; or

(B) Located in another state and accredited by one of the following regional agencies:

(i) The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;

(ii) The New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

(iii) The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools;

(iv) The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools;

(v) The Northwestern Association of Schools and Colleges;

(vi) The Western Association of Schools and Colleges; or

(vii) The Alabama Independent School Association. (7) "Eligible postsecondary institution" means a school which is:

(A) A unit of the University System of Georgia;

(B) A branch of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education or an affiliated institution which is controlled by a local board of education;

(C) A private independent nonprofit postsecondary institution eligible for tuition equalization grants in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) of Code Section 20-3-411;

(D) A private proprietary postsecondary institution eligible for tuition equalization grants in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of Code Section 20-3-411.

(8) "Eligible private postsecondary institution" means an eligible postsecondary institution which meets the criteria set out in subparagraph (C) of paragraph (7) of this Code section.

(9) "Eligible public postsecondary institution" means an eligible postsecondary institution which meets the criteria set out in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (7) of this Code section.

(10) "Freshman student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted less than 46 quarter hours or less than 31 semester hours.

(11) "Full-time student" means a matriculated student attending a postsecondary educational institution and enrolled for the equivalent of at least 12 quarter or semester hours.

(12) "Grade point average" means the numbered grade average calculated using a 4.0 scale.

(13) "HOPE grant" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally grant for education awarded in accordance with Code Section 20-3-519.4 or 20-3-519.5.

(14) "HOPE scholarship" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally scholarship for education awarded in accordance with Code Sections 20-3-519.2 or 20-3-519.3.

(15) "HOPE teacher's scholarship" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally scholarship for education awarded in accordance with Code Section 20-3-519.8.

(16) "HOPE GED voucher" means a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally general educational development (GED) diploma voucher for postsecondary education awarded in accordance with Code Section 20-3-519.6.

(17) "Junior student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least 91 quarter hours but less than 136 quarter hours or at least 61 semester hours but less than 91 semester hours.

(18) "Mandatory fees" means fees approved by the Georgia Student Finance Commission that are charged by a postsecondary institution to every student enrolled in that institution, regardless of the student's program of study.

(19) "Matriculated status" means being recognized as a student in a defined program of study leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate at a postsecondary institution.

(20) "PROMISE teacher's scholarship" means a scholarship awarded in accordance with Code Section 20-3-519.7.

(21) "Quarter hours" includes each quarter hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but shall not include any quarter hour attempted or completed before graduating from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) diploma.

(22) "Semester hours" includes each semester hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree, but shall not include any semester hour attempted before graduating from high school or earning a general educational development (GED) diploma.

(23) "Senior student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least 136 quarter hours but less than 191 quarter hours or at least 91 semester hours but less than 128 semester hours.

(24) "Sophomore student" means a student at a postsecondary institution who has attempted at least 46 quarter hours but less than 91 quarter hours or at least 31 semester hours but less than 61 semester hours.

(25) "Title IV" means Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1070, et seq.