NCER-NPSAS Grant Study - Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017: Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA Interventions on College Outcomes

Appendices A-C NCER-NPSAS Grant Study-CSFA 2017 Interventions & Survey

NCER-NPSAS Grant Study - Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017: Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA Interventions on College Outcomes

OMB: 1850-0931

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 1850-0931 can be found here:

2017-07-18 - Revision of a currently approved collection

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NCER-NPSAS Grant Study
Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA)
2017: Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA
Interventions on College Outcomes

Appendices A, B, and C
Study Materials

OMB # 1850-New v.1

Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

October 2016
revised November 2016

Table of Contents
Appendix A – Intervention Communication Materials ............................................................ 4
Students who have not yet submitted a FAFSA for 2017-18
A-1: Intervention Letter/Emails – Neutral Framing
A-1a: Submitted FAFSA 2016-17 ........................................................................................................ 5
A-1b: Incomplete FAFSA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 7
A-1c: Did not submit FAFSA 2016-17 ................................................................................................. 9
A-2: Intervention Letter/Email – Neutral Framing + Credit Information
A-2a: Submitted FAFSA 2016-17 ........................................................................................................ 11
A-2b: Incomplete FAFSA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 13
A-2c: Did not submit FAFSA 2016-17 ................................................................................................. 15
A-3: Intervention Letter/Email – Positive Framing
A-3a: Submitted FAFSA 2016-17 ........................................................................................................ 17
A-3b: Incomplete FAFSA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 19
A-3c: Did not submit FAFSA 2016-17 ................................................................................................. 21
A-4: Intervention Letter/Email – Negative Framing
A-4a: Submitted FAFSA 2016-17 ........................................................................................................ 23
A-4b: Incomplete FAFSA 2016-17 ...................................................................................................... 25
A-4c: Did not submit FAFSA 2016-17 ................................................................................................. 27
Students who have already submitted a FAFSA for 2017-18
A-5: Intervention Letter/Email – Neutral Framing ............................................................................ 29
A-6: Intervention Letter/Email – Neutral + Credit Info...................................................................... 31
U.S. Department of Education FAFSA Handout (to be included with all intervention letters) ...................... 33
NCER NPSAS Grant Studies Website. .............................................................................................................. 35

Appendix B – Survey Communication Materials………………………………....................................... 38

Data Collection Announcement Letter .............................................................................................. 39
Data Collection Announcement E-mail.............................................................................................. 41
Reminder E-mail 1 ............................................................................................................................. 42
Reminder Postcard 1 ......................................................................................................................... 43
Reminder E-mail 2 ............................................................................................................................. 44
Reminder E-mail 3 ............................................................................................................................. 45
Reminder Postcard 2 ......................................................................................................................... 46
Reminder E-mail 4 ............................................................................................................................. 47
Thank You/Incentive Letter ............................................................................................................... 48

Appendix C – Survey Questions ........................................................................................................ 50

Summary of Intervention and Survey Communications
Appendix A – Intervention Communication Materials (to be conducted January 2017 through May 2017)
Intervention
Number

Title of Intervention Communication

A-1

Intervention Letter/Email* –
Neutral Framing

A-1a: Submitted 2016-17
A-1b: Incomplete 2016-17
A-1c: Not submit 2016-17

A-2

Intervention Letter/Email –
Neutral Framing + Credit Info

A-2a: Submitted 2016-17
A-2b: Incomplete 2016-17
A-2c: Not submit 2016-17

A-3

Intervention Letter/Email –
Positive Framing

A-3a: Submitted 2016-17
A-3b: Incomplete 2016-17
A-3c: Not submit 2016-17

A-4

Intervention Letter/Email –
Negative Framing

A-4a: Submitted 2016-17
A-4b: Incomplete 2016-17
A-4c: Not submit 2016-17

A-5
A-6

Intervention Letter/Email –
Neutral Framing
Intervention Letter/Email –
Neutral Framing + Credit Info

Intervention
Group

Frequency
4 contacts over a
five month period

Has not
submitted a
FAFSA for
2017-18

4 contacts over a
five month period

4 contacts over a
five month period
4 contacts over a
five month period

Already
submitted a
FAFSA for
2017-18

4 contacts over a
five month period
4 contacts over a
five month period

Appendix B - Survey Communication Materials (to be surveyed October 2017 through December 2017)
Contact
Number

Title of Survey Communication

Contact Group
All sample
members
All sample
members

Order of Contact

B-1

Data Collection Announcement Letter

B-2

Data Collection Announcement E-mail

B-3

Reminder E-mail 1

B-4

Reminder Postcard 1

B-5

Reminder E-mail 2

B-6

Reminder E-mail 3

B-7

Reminder Postcard 2

B-8

Reminder E-mail 4

Survey nonrespondents

1
2

5
6

Survey
respondents
who opted to
B-9
Thank You/Incentive Letter
Varies
receive incentive
via check
*
Note: The intervention emails will be the same as the letters except they will not include letterhead or the QR code.

NCER-NPSAS Grant Study
Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017:
Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA
Interventions on College Outcomes

Appendix A
Intervention Communication Materials

OMB # 1850-New v.1

Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

October 2016

Intervention A-1a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEUTRAL

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid, and the form is available
now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year. You still need to apply for student aid every year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

The FAFSA asks about you and your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances, the
FAFSA may also ask about your parent(s) and their financial information. You may find it helpful to
have the following information or documents available:



Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Because you completed the FAFSA last year, you have the option to fill out the Renewal FAFSA.
Using your FSA ID username and password, some of the questions will be pre-filled, saving you time
and hassle. If your circumstances have changed significantly, you might decide to complete a new
FAFSA instead.
There are a number of FREE resources available to help you understand how to complete the FAFSA
and your financial aid. We’ve included the guide developed by the U.S. Department of Education, but
you could also visit these websites:




https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-1a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEUTRAL

page 2

Remember, the FAFSA is FREE. If a company asks you to pay to fill it out, then you’re not working
with the official FAFSA—your link to get financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. If you
have any questions, visit one of the websites listed above or call the Federal Student Aid Information
Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Sincerely,
<>

You are being contacted because you agreed to participate in an external research project when you responded to the 2015-16 National
Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:16). For more information go to: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/npsas/grant/.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS)
and its follow up studies, including the Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017 study, by the Education Sciences Reform
Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543), and to collect as part of these studies, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35), students’ education records from educational agencies or institutions in connection
with an evaluation of federally supported education programs. Data collected from or about individual students are used only for
statistical or research purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required by law
(ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). These data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization
based in North Carolina.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary information collection is 1850-NEW. The time required
to complete this information collection is estimated to average approximately 10 minutes per response, including the time to review
instructions, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the
accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this survey, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your
individual submission of this survey, please write directly to: The Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) Study, National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th St., SW, PCP-4007, Washington, DC 20202

Intervention A-1b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEUTRAL

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid, and the form is available
now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year, but there was a problem with your application so
you may not have received financial aid. Here is information that might help you with the process this
year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

During the process, you will create a FSA ID username and password that will allow you to save your
information securely and complete the form at your own pace. You will also need your FSA ID to get
information on all the government financial aid available to you.
There are a number of FREE resources available to help you understand how to complete the FAFSA
and your financial aid. We’ve included the guide developed by the U.S. Department of Education, but
you could also visit these websites:




https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-1b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEUTRAL

page 2

Intervention A-1c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEUTRAL

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for next year.
Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid, and it is available now as you consider your
plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you also did not complete the FAFSA last year and so you may not have received financial aid.
Here is information that might help you with the process this year.

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-1c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEUTRAL

page 2

have any questions, visit one of the websites listed above or call the Federal Student Aid Information
Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Sincerely,
<>

Intervention A-2a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in getting financial aid, and the form is available
now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year. You still need to apply for student aid every year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Also, did you know the more credits you take, the more financial aid you could receive?
Credits Taken per Term

Maximum Pell Grant

Up to $2,910

Up to $4,440

Up to $5,920

As you can see, financial aid could completely cover the cost of taking an additional class or two,
meaning you would not need to pay any more money out-of-pocket. The difference of a couple of
courses could mean thousands of dollars of financial aid. It those additional courses could help you
complete your degree sooner.
The FAFSA asks for about you and your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances, the
FAFSA may also ask about your parent(s) and their financial information. You may find it helpful to
have the following information or documents available:



Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Because you completed the FAFSA last year, you have the option to fill out the Renewal FAFSA.
Using your FSA ID username and password, some of the questions will be pre-filled, saving you time

Intervention A-2a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 2

and hassle. If your circumstances have changed significantly, you might decide to complete a new
FAFSA instead.
There are a number of FREE resources available to help you understand how to complete the FAFSA
and your financial aid. We’ve included the guide developed by the U.S. Department of Education, but
you could also visit these websites:
 https://fafsa.ed.gov
Or scan this code into your
 https://studentaid.ed.gov
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.
 https://fsaid.ed.gov
Remember, the FAFSA is FREE. If a company asks you to pay to fill it out, then you’re not working
with the official FAFSA—your link to get financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. If you
have any questions, visit one of the websites listed above or call the Federal Student Aid Information
Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
Sincerely,
<>

Intervention A-2b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in getting financial aid, and the form is available
now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year, but there was a problem with your application so
you may not have received financial aid. Here is information that might help you with the process this
year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Also, did you know the more credits you take, the more financial aid you could receive?
Credits Taken per Term

Maximum Pell Grant

Up to $2,910

Up to $4,440

Up to $5,920

As you can see, financial aid could completely cover the cost of taking an additional class or two,
meaning you would not need to pay any more money out-of-pocket. The difference of a couple of
courses could mean thousands of dollars of financial aid. It those additional courses could help you
complete your degree sooner.
The FAFSA asks for about you and your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances, the FAFSA may
also ask about your parent(s) and their financial information. You may find it helpful to have the following
information or documents available:



Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-2b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 2

https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-2c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

Dear <>,
Completing the FAFSA is the first step towards getting financial aid, and it is available now as you consider
your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you also did not complete the FAFSA last year and so you may not have received financial aid.
Here is information that might help you with the process this year.

Also, did you know the more credits you take, the more financial aid you could receive?
Credits Taken per Term

Maximum Pell Grant

Up to $2,910

Up to $4,440

Up to $5,920

As you can see, financial aid could completely cover the cost of taking an additional class or two,
meaning you would not need to pay any more money out-of-pocket. The difference of a couple of
courses could mean thousands of dollars of financial aid. It those additional courses could help you
complete your degree sooner.
The FAFSA asks about you and your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances, the
FAFSA may also ask about your parent(s) and their financial information. You may find it helpful to
have the following information or documents available:



Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

page 1

Intervention A-2c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 2

https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-3a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing POSITIVE

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Eligible students can get a Federal Pell Grant up to $5,920, which does not need to be
repaid. That’s thousands of dollars to help you pay for college!
Completing the FAFSA also means it is possible for you to get other kinds of aid, which could help
make attending college more affordable. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in getting financial
aid, and the form is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year. You still need to apply for student aid every year.
Make sure you continue to receive financial aid to help you pay for college. The FAFSA is the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to complete, and the sooner you
submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These
statements are
not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should
complete the
FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

The FAFSA asks for about you and your financial situation. Depending on your circumstances, the
FAFSA may also ask about your parent(s) and their financial information. You may find it helpful to
have the following information or documents available:



Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-3a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing POSITIVE

page 2

There are a number of FREE resources available to help you understand how to complete the FAFSA
and your financial aid. We’ve included the guide developed by the U.S. Department of Education, but
you could also visit these websites:
 https://fafsa.ed.gov
Or scan this code into your
 https://studentaid.ed.gov
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.
 https://fsaid.ed.gov
Remember, the FAFSA is FREE. If a company asks you to pay to fill it out, then you’re not working
with the official FAFSA—your link to get financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. If you
have any questions, visit one of the websites listed above or call the Federal Student Aid Information
Center at 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
There is financial aid waiting for you! Fill out the form and get help paying for college.
Sincerely,
<>

Intervention A-3b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing POSITIVE

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Eligible students can get a Federal Pell Grant up to $5,920, which does not need to be
repaid. That’s thousands of dollars to help you pay for college!
Completing the FAFSA also means it is possible for you to get other kinds of aid, which could help
make attending college more affordable. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in getting financial
aid, and the form is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year, but there was a problem with your application so
you may not have received financial aid. Here is information that might help you with the process this
year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These
statements are
not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should
complete the
FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-3b - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing POSITIVE

page 2

https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-3c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing POSITIVE

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. Eligible students can get a Federal Pell Grant up to $5,920, which does not need to be
repaid. That’s thousands of dollars to help you pay for college!
Completing the FAFSA also means it is possible for you to get other kinds of aid, which could help
make attending college more affordable. Completing the FAFSA is the first step in getting financial
aid, and the form is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you also did not complete the FAFSA last year and so you may not have received
financial aid. Here is information that might help you with the process this year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-3c - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing POSITIVE





https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

page 2

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-4a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEGATIVE

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. As a result, you could lose your chance to get a Pell Grant worth up to $5,920 from the
federal government.
Not completing the form also means that you will lose the ability to get other kinds of financial aid
from the government and your school. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid,
and it is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year. You still need to apply for student aid every year.
Make sure you continue to receive financial aid to help you pay for college. The FAFSA is the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to complete, and the sooner you
submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-4a - 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Submit - Framing NEGATIVE





https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

page 2

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-4b- 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEGATIVE

page 1

Dear <>,
According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. As a result, you could lose your chance to get a Pell Grant worth up to $5,920 from the
federal government.
Not completing the form also means that you will lose the ability to get other kinds of financial aid
from the government and your school. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid,
and it is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year, but there was a problem with your application so
you may not have received financial aid. Here is information that might help you with the process this
year.
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to
complete, and the sooner you submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These statements
are not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should complete
the FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-4b- 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Incomplete FAFSA - Framing NEGATIVE





https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

page 2

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-4c- 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEGATIVE

page 1

Dear <>,

According to our records, as of <>, you have not yet applied for financial aid for
next year. As a result, you could lose your chance to get a Pell Grant worth up to $5,920 from the
federal government.
Not completing the form also means that you will lose the ability to get other kinds of financial aid
from the government and your school. Completing the FAFSA is the first step to getting financial aid,
and it is available now as you consider your plans for 2017-18.
We notice that you completed the FAFSA last year. You still need to apply for student aid every year.
Make sure you continue to receive financial aid to help you pay for college. The FAFSA is the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid, meaning that it costs you nothing to complete, and the sooner you
submit the FAFSA, the more aid you could receive.
Some students think they shouldn’t bother to complete the FAFSA. Don’t let these worries stop you!
These
statements are
not true.
The reality is
EVERYONE
should
complete the
FAFSA to
learn about the
aid they could
receive.

Social Security Number
2015 Tax Return and W-2 Forms



Information on bank account balances and
investments (not including your home)

Intervention A-4c- 2017-18 Not Submit - 2016-17 Not Submit - Framing NEGATIVE





https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

page 2

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-5 - 2017-18 Submitted - Framing NEUTRAL

page 1

Dear <>,
Congratulations on starting the process of getting financial aid by submitting the FAFSA, the federal
financial aid form! You still have a few more steps in the process.


If your FAFSA is incomplete or you need to make corrections, log into your account at
https://fafsa.ed.gov using your FSA ID.



You should also check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there is information you
need to provide them. Sometimes schools need additional paperwork or have other deadlines.

Once your FAFSA is complete, here is what you can expect.


The U.S. Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).



You will also learn your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-5 - 2017-18 Submitted - Framing NEUTRAL

page 2

Intervention A-6 - 2017-18 Submitted - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 1

Dear <>,
Congratulations on starting the process of getting financial aid by submitting the FAFSA, the federal
financial aid form! You still have a few more steps in the process.


If your FAFSA is incomplete or you need to make corrections, log into your account at
https://fafsa.ed.gov using your FSA ID.



You should also check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there is information you
need to provide them. Sometimes schools need additional paperwork or have other deadlines.

Once your FAFSA is complete, here is what you can expect.


The U.S. Department of Education will send you a Student Aid Report (SAR).



You will also learn your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Also, did you know the more credits you take, the more financial aid you could receive?
Credits Taken per Term

Maximum Pell Grant

Up to $2,910

Up to $4,440

Up to $5,920

As you can see, financial aid could completely cover the cost of taking an additional class or two,
meaning you would not need to pay any more money out-of-pocket. The difference of a couple of
courses could mean thousands of dollars of financial aid. It those additional courses could help you
complete your degree sooner.
There are a number of FREE resources available to help you understand how to complete the FAFSA
and your financial aid. We’ve included the guide developed by the U.S. Department of Education, but
you could also visit these websites:




https://fafsa.ed.gov
https://studentaid.ed.gov
https://fsaid.ed.gov

Or scan this code into your
mobile device to link to
studentaid.ed.gov directly.

Intervention A-6 - 2017-18 Submitted - Framing NEUTRAL + CREDIT INFO

page 2

NCER-NPSAS Grant Studies Website
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/npsas/grant/
Create category of Awards or NCER-NPSAS Grant Studies on left frame
-

Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017

NCER-NPSAS Grant Study
Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017: Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA Interventions
on College Outcomes
Purpose
This NCER- NPSAS Grant Study – Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017: Testing the
Effectiveness of FAFSA Interventions on College Outcomes investigates whether an intervention that
provides financial aid information to college students increases receipt of financial aid, enrollment on a
full-time (versus part-time) basis, persistence from semester to semester, and degree completion. This
research is being conducted under a grant awarded through the NCER-NPSAS grant opportunity. The
primary grantee is Bridget Terry Long, Harvard University (Grant Award #R305A160388) with co-principal
investigator Eric Bettinger, Stanford University. Data collection will be led by the contractor, RTI
International (RTI). A project description is available at:
http://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1853).

NCER-NPSAS Grant Opportunity
In 2010, the National Center for Education Research (NCER) and the National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES), both within the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES),
began collaborating on an education grant opportunity related to the cross-sectional National
Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Under the NCER-NPSAS grant opportunity, researchers could
submit applications to the Postsecondary and Adult Education topic within the Education Research
Grants program (CFDA 84.305A), under either the Exploration or Efficacy and Replication research goal.
Consistent with these two goals, NCER supports research projects using NPSAS to: 1) explore
relationships between malleable factors (e.g. information on benefits of financial aid and FAFSA
renewal) and postsecondary persistence and completion, as well as the mediators and moderators of
those relationships; and 2) evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at improving persistence and
completion of postsecondary education (e. g. financial aid and FAFSA renewal advice delivered via mail
and email). Researchers approved for funding through this program can obtain indirect access to a
subsample of the national NPSAS sample (after the study’s student interviews are completed) in order
to conduct unique research projects that adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Request for
Applications (RFA) for the Education Research Grants Program, as well as guidelines set forth by NCES
and the NPSAS program.
On July 1, 2016, two grants were awarded using a subsample of 2015-16 NPSAS sample members:
35

•

Financial Aid Nudges: A National Experiment to Increase Retention of Financial Aid and College
Persistence. A project description is posted here:
http://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1848) , and

•

Could Connecting Students with Financial Aid Lead to Better College Outcomes? A Proposal to
Test the Effectiveness of FAFSA Interventions Using the NPSAS Sample (referred to as
“Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017”). A project description is posted here:
http://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1853).

Authority
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct the NCER-NPSAS grant
studies by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543), and to collect
students’ education records from educational agencies or institutions for the purposes of evaluating
Federally supported education programs under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA,
34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35). Data collected from or about individual students are used only for
statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose
except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). These data are being collected for NCES by
RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina.
Confidentiality
Since these NCER-NPSAS grant studies are conducted using a subset of NPSAS:16 sample members, all
data collection must be done through NCES and the NPSAS:16 data collection contractor, RTI
International. This ensures that the confidentiality of the study participants is protected. Specifically, the
grantee will have no access to personally identifiable information and may not have direct contact with
sample members. RTI International follows strict procedures to protect the privacy and confidentiality of
study participants. All project staff members have signed confidentiality agreements and affidavits of
nondisclosure. Any data released to the public will be in aggregate form (e.g., statistical tables, graphs).
Information obtained may be used only for statistical or research purposes and may not be disclosed,
or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose, except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C. §
9573).
Paperwork Reduction Act
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection
of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this
voluntary information collection is 1850-XXXX. The time required to complete this information
collection is estimated to average approximately 10 minutes per response, including the time to review
instructions, gather the data needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have
any comments concerning the accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this survey, or
any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual submission of this survey, please
write directly to: The Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) Study, National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES), Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th St., SW, PCP-4007, Washington, DC 20202.
OMB Clearance No: 1850-New Expiration Date: ##/##/2020

NCER-NPSAS Grant Study
Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017:
Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA
Interventions on College Outcomes

Appendix B
Survey Communication Materials

OMB # 1850-New v.1

Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

October 2016

Data Collection Announcement Letter
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>, <> <>
Dear <>,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to participate in the Connecting
Students with Financial Aid study (CSFA), an important study that provides students with
information about financial aid. You may recall receiving letters and emails from us earlier this
year. Your continued participation in CSFA study is important to the success of the study.
We are now asking you to complete a brief survey on your experiences and knowledge of
financial aid. The survey will only take 10 minutes to complete, and you will receive $30 as a
token of our appreciation, payable by PayPal or check. The survey can even be completed on
your mobile device or you can complete the enclosed hardcopy survey and return it in the
provided envelope. Please complete or return the survey by <>.
To complete the survey on the web, log on to our secure website at
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA using the Study ID and password below:
Study ID = «caseid»
Password = «password»m (password is case sensitive).
You represent many students like you who were not selected for CSFA, and your participation is
important to the success of the study. If you have questions, problems completing your survey
online, or prefer to complete the survey over the telephone, simply call our Help Desk at 1-800XXX-YYYY
If you have any other questions or concerns about the study, please contact the CSFA Project
Director, Jeff Franklin, at 800-XXX-YYYY, jwf@rti.org, or the NCES Project Officer, Tracy HuntWhite, at 202-245-ZZZZ, Tracy.Hunt-White@ed.gov.
Thank you in advance for making CSFA a success.
Sincerely,
[Insert signatures]
Jeff Franklin
Tracy Hunt-White, PhD
Project Director, CSFA NCES Project Officer
RTI International
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education
Enclosure

«panelinfo»/«ctrl»

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct the National Postsecondary Student
Aid Study (NPSAS) and its follow up studies, including the Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017
study, by the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543), and to collect as part of
these studies, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35),
students’ education records from educational agencies or institutions in connection with an evaluation of
federally supported education programs. Data collected from or about individual students are used only for
statistical or research purposes and may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose
except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9573). These data are being collected for NCES by RTI
International, a nonprofit research organization based in North Carolina.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary
information collection is 1850-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to
average approximately 10 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, gather the data
needed, and complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the
accuracy of the time estimate, suggestions for improving this survey, or any comments or concerns regarding
the status of your individual submission of this survey, please write directly to: The Connecting Students with
Financial Aid (CSFA) Study, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th St.,
SW, PCP-4007, Washington, DC 20202.

Data Collection Announcement E-mail
SUBJ: It’s time to complete your CSFA survey!
Dear ,
Recently, we contacted you about your selection for the Connecting Students with
Financial Aid (CSFA) study, a survey of students who, like you, were enrolled in
postsecondary education during the 2015-16 school year. Data collection for CSFA is
now underway, and we would like to invite you to complete the survey by .
If you complete the 15 minute survey, you will receive $30 as a token of our
appreciation – payable by PayPal, or check. The survey can easily be completed on
your mobile device. To access the online survey, just click here to get started or log
in on our secure website:
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA/
Study ID:
Password: e
The survey will ask about your experience and knowledge of financial aid. Your
participation, while voluntary, is important to the success of the study. If you would
like to receive a hardcopy survey through the mail, please call our Help Desk at 1800-XXX-YYYY.
If you have any questions about the study, please contact me at 1-800-XXX-YYYY or
jwf@rti.org, or the NCES Project Officer, Tracy Hunt-White, at 202-245-YYYY or
Tracy.Hunt-White@ed.gov.
Thank you for helping to make CSFA a success.
Sincerely,
Jeff Franklin
Project Director, CSFA
RTI International
1-800-XXX-YYYY
OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW
Learn more about our confidentiality procedures at https://URL

Reminder E-mail 1
SUBJ: Don’t Forget to Complete Your CSFA Survey!
Dear ,
I would like to remind you that your participation in the Connecting Students with
Financial Aid (CSFA) study is still needed, and that I hope that you will participate
soon.
If you complete the CSFA survey, you will receive a $30 token of our
appreciation—payable by PayPal or check! The survey—which can be easily
completed on your mobile device—takes only 10 minutes to complete.
To access the online survey, just click here or log in to our secure website:
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA/
Study ID:
Password: a
If you need help accessing the online survey, or if you would like to receive a
hardcopy survey through the mail, please call our Help Desk at 1-800-XXX-YYYY.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important study.
Sincerely,
Jeff Franklin
Project Director, CSFA
RTI International
1-800-XXX-YYYY
OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW
Learn more about our confidentiality procedures at https://URL

Reminder Postcard 1

Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA)
Study
Fname,
Recently we sent you information about completing the U.S.
Department of Education’s CSFA survey. This study helps
policymakers learn about how financial aid impacts students
enrollment in postsecondary education.
If you haven’t yet participated, we’d like to remind you that
we’re offering $30 as a token of our appreciation for completing
the 10-minute survey, which you can easily complete on your
mobile device!
To complete your survey online, log into the study website at
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA
Study ID: <<12345678>>
Password: <>n
Or call (800) XXX-YYYY to complete your survey by phone.

Thank you for your participation!
The Connecting Students with Financial Aid study is a follow-up survey of individuals who were enrolled in
postsecondary education during the 2015-16 academic year. For more information about the grant, visit
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/npsas/grant/
43

Reminder E-mail 2
SUBJ: Don’t Delay - Complete Your CSFA Survey Today!
Dear ,
Data collection for the Connecting Students with Financial Aid study continues, and
it won’t be a success without your participation! The survey takes only 10 minutes
to complete, which can easily be completed on your mobile device. When you
complete your survey, you will receive a $30 token of our appreciation—payable
by PayPal or check.
To access the online survey on our secure website, click here or log in:
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA/
Study ID:
Password: b
If you need help, or if you would like to receive a hardcopy survey through the mail,
please call our Help Desk at 1-800-XXX-YYYY.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this very important study.
Sincerely,
Jeff Franklin
Project Director, CSFA
RTI International
1-800-XXX-YYYY
OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW
Learn more about our confidentiality procedures at https://URL

Reminder E-mail 3
SUBJ: The CSFA Survey Needs YOUR Participation!
Dear ,
Don’t forget to complete the Connecting Students with Financial Aid study and
receive a $30 token of appreciation—payable by PayPal or check. The survey takes
10 minutes and can be completed online or over the phone. You can even complete
it on your mobile device!
It’s easy to participate in CSFA on our secure website. Just click here to get started
right away!
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA/
Study ID:
Password: c
Or, we can send you a survey in the mail to complete.
If you have questions or would like to receive a hardcopy survey, please call our
Help Desk at 1-800-XXX-YYYY.
Thanks!
Jeff Franklin
Project Director, CSFA
RTI International
1-800-XXX-YYYY
OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW
Learn more about our confidentiality procedures at https://URL

Reminder Postcard 2

Just a reminder—
we still need you to complete the CSFA survey.
«fname»,
We value your participation in CSFA —
there’s truly no substitute for your responses. That’s why you
will receive a $30 token of appreciation for completing the
CSFA survey.
The survey takes about 10 minutes, and can even be
completed on your mobile device!
Log on to https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/CSFA/ with your
Study ID and password.

Study ID: «caseID»
Password: «password»p
Or call (800) XXX-YYYY if you have questions, need
assistance, or would like to have a hardcopy version of
the survey mailed to you.
The Connecting Students with Financial Aid study is a follow-up survey of individuals who were enrolled in postsecondary
education during the 2015-16 academic year.
For more information about the grant, visit
http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/npsas/grant/

Reminder E-mail 4
SUBJ: It’s Your Last Chance to Receive $30!
The CSFA survey is easy to complete and takes only about 10 minutes. You can even
complete it on your mobile device!

Tomorrow is the last day to complete your CSFA survey and we can’t replace you
with anyone else! I want to remind you that the study ends at midnight on
<> and if you finish the survey by then, we’ll send you a $30 token of
appreciation via PayPal or check!

To get started, click here!
Please call the Help Desk at 1-800-XXX-YYYY if you have any questions or problems
completing your survey.
Thank you!
Jeff Franklin
Project Director, CSFA
RTI International
1-800-XXX-YYYY
https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/csfa/
Study ID: [caseid]
Password: [pswd]g

OMB Control Number: 1850-NEW
Learn more about our confidentiality procedures at https://URL

Thank You/Incentive Letter
(Applies only to SMs who opt to receive their incentive via check.)
<>
<>
<>
<>
<>, <> <>
Dear «fname» «lname»:
On behalf of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of
Education’s Institute of Education Sciences and the staff of the Connecting Students with
Financial Aid (CSFA) study, we would like to thank you. Your participation in CSFA is very
important in helping to ensure the success of the study.
Enclosed you will find a check for $30 as a token of our appreciation.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-XXX-YYYY.
Sincerely,
Jeff Franklin
CSFA Project Director
RTI International

Tracy Hunt-White, PhD
Project Officer
National Center for Education Statistics

NCER-NPSAS Grant Study
Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017:
Testing the Effectiveness of FAFSA
Interventions on College Outcomes

Appendix C
Survey Instrument

OMB # 1850-New v.1

Submitted by
National Center for Education Statistics
U.S. Department of Education

October 2016

Follow-up Survey – Survey Instrument
PAGE 1
<>
You are being contacted because you agreed to participate in an external research project when you
responded to the 2015-16 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:16). For more information go
to: http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/npsas/grant/ .
 Yes, Continue on the Survey
 NO
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) is authorized to conduct the National Postsecondary Student Aid
Study (NPSAS) and its follow up studies, including the Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) 2017 study, by
the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (ESRA 2002, 20 U.S.C., § 9543), and to collect as part of these studies,
under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 34 CFR §§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35), students’ education
records from educational agencies or institutions in connection with an evaluation of federally supported education
programs. Data collected from or about individual students are used only for statistical or research purposes and
may not be disclosed or used, in identifiable form, for any other purpose except as required by law (ESRA 2002, 20
U.S.C., § 9573). These data are being collected for NCES by RTI International, a nonprofit research organization based
in North Carolina.
According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information
unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this voluntary information
collection is 1850-XXXX. The time required to complete this information collection is estimated to average
approximately 10 minutes per response, including the time to review instructions, gather the data needed, and
complete and review the information collection. If you have any comments concerning the accuracy of the time
estimate, suggestions for improving this survey, or any comments or concerns regarding the status of your individual
submission of this survey, please write directly to: The Connecting Students with Financial Aid (CSFA) Study, National
Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Potomac Center Plaza, 550 12th St., SW, PCP-4007, Washington, DC 20202.

PAGE 2
<>
Did you apply for financial aid
from the government to help
you with college expenses for
the 2017-18 school year (i.e.,
this year)?
Did you apply for financial aid
from anyone else (a nongovernment source) to help you
with college expenses for the
2017-18 school year?
If you have ever applied for
government financial aid, how
did you learn about the process
of applying?
Check all that apply.

 No, I did not apply for financial aid from the government
 Yes, I applied for financial aid using the following (check all that
apply)
 FAFSA (federal financial aid application)
 State financial aid application
 No, I did not apply for financial aid from a non-government source
 Yes, I applied for financial aid using the following (check all that
apply)
 CSS/Financial Aid Profile
 Aid application for my school
 Aid application for another organization
 Friend
 Relative
 Communication or mailing from my school
 College Faculty or Staff member
 Community Organization
 Online website
 Financial advisor
 I do not know how to apply for financial aid

PAGE 3A
<>
Please choose the statements
 I’ve applied for financial aid before, but did not receive anything
that apply to you:
 I did not realize that I had to submit a financial aid application each
year
 It was too late to apply for financial aid when I decided to do so
 It was too much hassle given that I am not eligible for much aid
 I decided not to enroll during this school year
 I don’t think I am eligible for financial aid (check why below):
 Because my family income is too high to receive financial aid
 Because I don’t have good grades
 Because I’m not enrolled full time
 Because I’m not a US Citizen
Do you know what the FAFSA
 No, I am not sure what the FAFSA is
is?
 Yes, I know what the FAFSA is, but I don’t know how to complete
the form
 Yes, I know what the FAFSA is and have completed it before

PAGE 3B
<>
We’re interested in your
 Parents
experiences with applying for
 Other Relative
Financial Aid. Did you receive  Friend
assistance from another person  My college’s financial aid or other staff
to complete the FAFSA the last  Community Organization
time you did so? If yes, please  Live counselor via phone or online
 Other
indicate from whom.
 I did not receive help from someone else
Check all that apply.
Please tell us how you
submitted your financial aid
form?
Check all that apply.








I submitted the FAFSA online
I submitted the paper FAFSA
I was asked to fix an error or problem with my FAFSA after I initially
submitted the form
I used the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to complete my FAFSA.
I was asked to submit more information for “Verification” by my
school
My school also required me to complete the another application to
apply for financial aid (e.g., the CSS Profile)

We’re also interested to know your opinions about the financial aid process. Please select one response to
each statement.
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o I clearly understood the steps to get
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
financial aid for college this year.
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o I was able to complete the FAFSA myself
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
easily
Agree
Strongly
o My financial aid award letter was easy to Strongly Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
understand
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o My school’s financial aid office was
Disagree
or Disagree
Agree
available to help me understand my
financial aid offer
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o I know where to go if I have questions
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
about my financial aid forms
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o I lost money by not completing the
Disagree
or Disagree
Agree
FAFSA this year
PAGE 4
How many credits are you
taking this term (Fall 2017)?
If you are unsure about the
number of credits, assume each
course is usually 3 credits.








Are you taking more, fewer, or

the same credits as the last time 
you enrolled in college courses? 

No Credits (I am not enrolled)
Less than 6 credits
6 credits (two 3-credit courses)
7 to 9 credits (approximately 2-3 courses)
10 to 11 credits
12 to 14 credits (full-time enrollment; approx. 4 or more courses)
15 credits or more (full-time enrollment; approx. 4-6 courses)
Increased – I’m taking more credits (or courses) this term
Decreased – I’m taking fewer credits this term
No change – I’m taking the same number of credits

PAGE 5A
<>
Why are you taking fewer than  I do not need additional courses for my degree
12 credits?
 The courses I need to take are not being offered or did not have
space for me (i.e., limited enrollment)
Check all that apply.
 I have other work or personal commitments
 I cannot afford to pay for more courses
 Other reason
If your financial aid had been
 Yes
doubled, not including loans,
 No
would you have taken more
credits or courses?
How many credits do you plan
 No credits (do not plan to enroll)
to take the next term?
 Less than 6 credits
 6 to 8 credits (approximately two courses)
If you are unsure about the
number of credits, assume each  9 to 11 credits (approximately 3 courses)
 12 to 14 credits (approximately 4 courses; full-time enrollment)
course is usually 3 credits.
 15 credits or more (approximately 4-6 courses; full-time enrollment)
PAGE 5B
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What made you decide to take  I need the courses to complete my degree.
12 or more credits this term?
 I received enough financial aid to make full-time enrollment possible.
Check all that apply.
 I am trying to complete my degree as quickly as possible.
 Other reason
How many credits do you plan
 No credits (do not plan to enroll)
to take the next term?
 Less than 6 credits
 6 to 8 credits (approximately two courses)
If you are unsure about the
number of credits, assume each  9 to 11 credits (approximately 3 courses)
 12 to 14 credits (approximately 4 courses; full-time enrollment)
course is usually 3 credits.
 15 credits or more (approximately 4-6 courses; full-time enrollment)

PAGE 6
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We’re also interested to know how financial aid affects your decisions about college. Please select one
response to each statement.
Agree
Strongly
o I’m attending my current school because Strongly Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
of the financial aid they were able to give
me
Agree
Strongly
o I’m attending my current school because Strongly Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree
or
Disagree
Agree
the available financial aid did not allow
me to attend my 1st-choice school
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o After I learned about my financial aid
Disagree
or Disagree
Agree
award, I decided to take more college
credits than I was originally planning
Agree
Strongly
o I am only able to attend college by taking Strongly Disagree Neither Agree
Disagree
or Disagree
Agree
out loans
Have you taken out loans to pay o
for college? If so, what kinds of o
loans?
o
o
o

Federal Student Loan (e.g., Stafford Loan, Direct Loan, etc.)
Federal Parent PLUS Loan
Loan from a Bank
Loan from a relative or friend
Other Source

PAGE 7A
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How did you decide whether to  Talked to my Parents or Other Relative
take out a loan?
 Talked to a Friend
 Talked to college’s financial aid staff
 Got help from a Community Organization
 Using an online resource to consider my options
 Other
 I did not receive help from someone else
We’re interested to know what you think about your loans. Please select one response to each statement.

o When I took out my loans, I understood

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

o When I took out my loans, I was

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

what the repayment plan would be

confident that I would be able to repay
them
o My college helped me determine the
right amount of loans I needed to take
o I am concerned about how I will repay
my loans
o I have stopped taking college classes
because of my student loan debt

PAGE 7B
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How did you decide to avoid
 Talked to my Parents or Other Relative
taking out a loan?
 Talked to a Friend
 Talked to college’s financial aid staff
 Got help from a Community Organization
 Using an online resource to consider my options
 Other
 I did not receive help from someone else
We’re interested to know what you think about college student loans. Please select one response to each
statement.
Strongly
Disagree
Neither Agree
Agree
Strongly
o I worry about being able to repay a loan

o I have other debt I am managing (e.g.,

credits cards, car loan, mortgage)
o I found it confusing to understand my
student loan options
o I received enough financial aid to be able
to avoid taking out loans
o I had trouble trying to get a loan and was
unable to do so

Disagree
Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

or Disagree
Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Agree
Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

Neither Agree
or Disagree

Agree

Strongly
Agree

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Franklin, Jeff
File Modified	2016-12-13
File Created	2016-11-07