Department of Education office of Federal Student Aid

Communications Messaging Survey 

Introduction

Optimization Group is conducting research on behalf of Federal Student Aid (FSA), an 

office of the U.S. Department of Education. FSA would like your feedback regarding 

their communications messaging for outreach. The evaluation should take about 20 

minutes to complete. Your responses will remain anonymous and will only be reported 

in aggregate form. Thank you in advance for your time. Your input is very important. 

Section 1 Higher Education Description Preference

How would you describe the education that one pursues after finishing high school?

1 Postsecondary Education 

2 Higher Education 

3 College 

4 Postsecondary Education and Training

5 Post-high school education 

6 Education after high school

Section 2 Communications Messaging Testing

In the following section you will be asked to evaluate a number of ideas related to 

services available from the office of Federal Student Aid. 

You will see several statements presented as one concept or idea. Some statements 

will be presented several times, but in a different combination. While some screens 

may seem repetitive, each screen is actually new and different. 

Please read each screen as a new idea, then rate it on a 1 to 9 scale.

Please Note: For the purposes of this study, both the terms "higher education" and 

"college" are defined as four-year colleges or universities, two-year community or junior 

colleges, or trade or vocational schools. 
NOTE TO OMB

Note to OMB: FSA is testing 35 messaging statements with respondents. Participants 

will see three statements at a time and will be asked to rate each set of statements as a 

single concept. The messages will rotate and vary by individual respondent and each 

individual may see all, or only some, of the statements provided below. All respondents 

will see the same base questions. This testing approach will enable us to determine 

which messaging statements (current and new) resonate strongest across our target 

audiences.

For example, a respondent would see:

To compete in today's job market, a higher education is a must. The office of Federal 

Student Aid helps students to achieve their career goals by providing funding for their 

education.

Financial assistance for higher education is within reach - over $150 billion in federal 

student aid is available. 

The office of Federal Student Aid provides information and assistance to students 

seeking funding for their higher education.

And then be asked the following two base questions.

Base Q1: Based on this concept how likely would you be to learn more about federal 

student aid or to recommend federal student aid to others? 

1= Not at all likely 9= Very likely

Base Q2: How much does this concept enhance your feelings towards federal student 

aid?

1= Not at all 9= Very much

END OF NOTE TO OMB
Base Q1: Based on this concept how likely would you be to learn more about federal 

student aid or to recommend federal student aid to others? 

1= Not at all likely 9= Very likely

Base Q2: How much does this concept enhance your feelings towards federal student 

aid?

1= Not at all 9= Very much

Messaging Statements to be Tested: 

 To compete in today's job market, a higher education is a must. The office of 

Federal Student Aid helps students achieve their career goals by providing 

funding for their education.

 To pay for a higher education, start with federal student aid and go further in 

life. 

 Maximize opportunities and earning power by pursuing a higher education; 

apply for federal student aid.

 College is more than just about getting an education - it connects cultures, 

builds professional networks, and provides a lifetime of experiences. Obtain 

funding for higher education by applying for federal student aid. 

 The office of Federal Student Aid can help pay for higher education, allowing 

students to achieve their life's ambitions and dreams.

 Financial assistance for higher education is within reach - over $150 billion in 

federal student aid is available. 

 Every student has the opportunity to receive some type of financial aid for 

their education regardless of their age or family income.

 If money is a barrier to college, federal student aid can help students pay for 

higher education through grants, loans, and work study programs.

 Federal student aid is available to students pursuing all types of higher 

education: trade school, community college, or university programs.

 Everyone deserves the future they see for themselves. The office of Federal 

Student Aid provides opportunities for students to fund their education.
 The FAFSA application can take less than 30 minutes to complete and gives 

students access to financial aid to help pay for college.

 Applying for federal student aid is as simple as completing the Free 

Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

 The new online FAFSA is easier than ever. The application can now import 

tax information and skip questions not relevant to the person completing the 

form.

 When filling out the FAFSA application, the office of Federal Student Aid 

provides instant access to professionals through online "click-to-chat" and a 

1-800 number.

 The office of Federal Student Aid is a one-stop shop for grants, loans, and 

work-study programs. 

 The office of Federal Student Aid provides information and assistance to 

students seeking funding for their higher education.

 The office of Federal Student Aid helps students through the entire financial 

aid process by providing information on types of funding, filling out the 

FAFSA, and paying back loans.

 Making the decision about going to college is difficult enough. The office of 

Federal Student Aid makes it easy for students and their families to learn 

more about funding a college education. 

 The office of Federal Student Aid is the largest provider of student aid in the 

United States, providing more than $150 billion in financial aid to 14 million 

students each year.

 The employees at the office of Federal Student Aid dedicate their careers to 

putting students through college. From working with universities to simplifying 

the FAFSA form, these professionals share their expertise to help students 

and their families address the challenges of funding a higher education.

 Federal student aid solves one piece of the college puzzle because 

applicants can receive funding for their educational needs.

 Because the office of Federal Student Aid is backed by the United States 

government, there's comfort in knowing students will have access to loans, 

grants, and work study programs regardless of the fluctuations on Wall Street. 
 Unlike private student loans, the office of Federal Student Aid offers 

borrowers loans with low fixed interest rates, income-based repayment plans, 

and options for loan forgiveness and postponing payments.

 Federal student loans make it possible for students to invest in their own 

future.

 Get questions answered about funding for higher education through the office 

of Federal Student Aid.

 The office of Federal Student Aid helps strengthen America by providing 

funding for educational opportunities.

 The United States is 11th in the world for producing college graduates. To 

help the country move toward the top, the office of Federal Student Aid 

provides funding for students' higher education.

 The office of Federal Student Aid funds America's promising minds through 

grants, loans, and work study to help pay for higher education.

 Our founding fathers saw America as a place for people from all backgrounds 

to thrive and grow. Today, the office of Federal Student Aid continues that 

promise by providing funding for those who desire a higher education.

 Nearly 8 out of 10 new jobs created in the next decade will require a college 

certificate or degree. The office of Federal Student Aid helps students pay for 

higher education, keeping American workers competitive in the global 

marketplace.

 Federal student aid is provided by the United States Department of Education 

- the government authority on education.

 Unlike companies who charge students to fill out the application, applying for 

federal student aid is free through the official source, the office of Federal 

Student Aid. 

 As the official source for higher education funding, the office of Federal 

Student Aid can help educate students about available aid and loan 

repayment options. 

 Because the office of Federal Student Aid is part of the United States 

government, students and their families never have to worry that they're 

dealing with an unknown or questionable source for higher education funding.

 As part of the United States government, the office of Federal Student Aid is 

the authority on higher education funding.
Thank You Page

Thank you for your participation! FSA values your input.

According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of 

information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this 

collection of information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response, including time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing 

and reviewing the collection of information. The obligation to respond to this collection is voluntary. Send 

comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 

suggestions for reducing this burden, to the U.S. Department of Education, Contracting Officer 

Representative, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, 830 First Street, NE, Room 32D2, 

Washington, D.C. 20202 or email ICDocketMgr@ed.gov and reference the OMB Control Number 

1845-0045 (04556).