This request is to conduct the 2017–18
National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, Administrative Collection
(NPSAS:18-AC). This study is being conducted by the National Center
for Education Statistics (NCES). NPSAS is a nationally
representative study of how students and their families finance
education beyond high school. The first NPSAS was implemented by
NCES during the 1986–87 academic year to meet the need for national
data about significant financial aid issues. Since 1987, NPSAS has
been fielded every 3 to 4 years, most recently during the 2015–16
academic year (NPSAS:16). This submission is for NPSAS:18-AC, which
departs from the design of previous NPSAS studies in three
respects: it is anticipated to include state-representative
estimates for undergraduate students overall and in public 2-year
and public 4-year institutions; it will provide financial aid
estimates 2-years earlier than how the studies were previously
scheduled; and it will be the first NPSAS study without a student
interview component. Future NPSAS collections will continue to
include a student interview every four years (NPSAS:16, NPSAS:20,
NPSAS:24) to yield nationally representative data. In alternating
cycles, an Administrative Collection (NPSAS:18-AC, NPSAS:22-AC, and
NPSAS:26-AC) will be conducted in which only administrative data
from the Department’s data systems and institutional student
records will be compiled to yield state representative data. This
submission covers materials and procedures related to enrollment
list collection, student record abstractions, and matching to
administrative data files as part of the NPSAS:18-AC data
collection.
US Code:
20
USC 9573 Name of Law: Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002
(ESRA 2002)
The burden on institutions
associated with this submission, when compared to the NPSAS:16
full-scale institution data collection, is higher due to the larger
sample size in NPSAS:18-AC. The overall burden hours associated
with NPSAS:18-AC are lower than NPSAS:16 due to the fact that
NPSAS:18-AC does not include a student interview.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.