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Appendix H

Contents

Revised Items from Field Test, TRP, and Cognitive Interviews................................................... 7

Full Facsimile of Full-Scale Interview........................................................................................ 43

Front End.............................................................................................................................. 43

END1TEXT ....................................................................................................................... 44

Enrollment ............................................................................................................................ 45

N12ELIG ........................................................................................................................... 45

N12EXPBA........................................................................................................................ 66

Education Experiences ......................................................................................................... 70

N12APIBCOLL .................................................................................................................. 71

N12DECIDEMAJ............................................................................................................... 73

N12MJCHGNUM............................................................................................................... 74

N12ONLINEPGM .............................................................................................................. 78

N12SRVUSE..................................................................................................................... 80

N12SRVIMPT.................................................................................................................... 80

N12FUTRWAGES............................................................................................................. 83

N12EDBENEFTS.............................................................................................................. 83

Financial Aid ......................................................................................................................... 84

N12REFUND1................................................................................................................... 88

N12REFUND2................................................................................................................... 88

N12OUTST ....................................................................................................................... 88

N12AVOIDLNS ................................................................................................................. 91

N12UNMETNEED............................................................................................................. 91

N12NEEDAMTUG............................................................................................................. 91

Current Employment............................................................................................................. 96

N12PRVJOB ..................................................................................................................... 98

N12PRVWAGE ................................................................................................................. 99

N12PRVHRSWK............................................................................................................... 99

N12PRVMTHYR................................................................................................................ 99

Income and Expenses ........................................................................................................ 101

N12PARHELP................................................................................................................. 105

N12PARAMT................................................................................................................... 105

N12PARAMT2................................................................................................................. 105

N12FAMAMT .................................................................................................................. 106
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N12FAMAMT2 ................................................................................................................ 106

N12BANK1...................................................................................................................... 107

N12BANK2...................................................................................................................... 107

N12DSCT250.................................................................................................................. 112

N12DSCT300.................................................................................................................. 112

N12DSCT350.................................................................................................................. 112

N12DSCT400.................................................................................................................. 112

N12DSCT450.................................................................................................................. 112

N12DSCT500.................................................................................................................. 112

Background ........................................................................................................................ 112

N12MOMED.................................................................................................................... 116

N12DADED..................................................................................................................... 117

N12SIBCL ....................................................................................................................... 117

N12MILIT ........................................................................................................................ 117

N12MAIN ........................................................................................................................ 118

N12EXTERNAL............................................................................................................... 118

Locating.............................................................................................................................. 119

N12CELLPRO................................................................................................................. 126

Incentives ........................................................................................................................... 127

EndSection ......................................................................................................................... 128

Help Text ............................................................................................................................ 128
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Table 1. Summary of interview revisions

Section Items Construct Revision

Front End New: Added "other/specify" textbox to 

END1TEXT for cell phone service provider not 

in the dropdown list

Contacting information Added "other/specify" textbox that will allow 

respondents who have opted-in text message 

recontacting to list their cell-phone carrier if not on 

a pre-populated list

Enrollment New: Added new study abroad response 

option to N12ELIG 

Enrollment at NPSAS during 

NPSAS year

Added a response option to N12ELIG that allows 

respondents to indicate they are studying abroad 

for the entire 2011-2012 school year, appropriately 

routing them through the interview.

Enrollment Removed: N12FINISH, N12DEGELSE, 

N12NXTDEG, N12TRNLIKEB. Replaced with: 

N12EXPBA 

Bachelor's degree completion 

for associate's degree 

respondents

Replaced field test set of 4 questions with single 

question for full scale

Education Experiences Removed: N12AP1, N12AP2, N12AP3A, 

N12AP3B, N12IB1, N12IB2, N12COLLCR. 

Replaced with: N12APIBCOLL 

AP/IB/College credit in high 

school

Replaced field test set of 7 questions with single 

question for full scale

Education Experiences New: N12DECIDEMAJ Decision on major Added to improve interview experience. Asked of 

students who report they have not yet officially 

declared their major, N12DECIDEMAJ provides a 

way to route students who are truly undecided 

around the major coder while allowing other 

respondents to report their intended major. 

Education Experiences Removed: N12FLDCOMB, N12MJ1COMB, 

and N12MJ2COMB

Likelihood of completing degree 

in major/field of study

Removed field test set of 3 questions

Education Experiences Removed: N12MAJCHG and N12CHGNUM. 

Replaced with: N12MJCHGNUM 

Number of times changed major Combined field test questions into a single question 

for full scale

Education Experiences Removed: N12CROWD1, N12CROWD2, and 

N12CROWD3

Crowding out of classes Removed field test set of 3 questions

Education Experiences Returned to survey: N12ONLINEPGM Entire degree program online Item asked in NPSAS:08; added back to 

NPSAS:12 full-scale

Education Experiences Revised: N12SRVUSE Services used at NPSAS school Reduced and consolidated response options

Education Experiences Revised: N12SRVIMPT Importance of services used Eliminated frequency variable for each service 

used and consolidated response options to match 

N12SRVUSE
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Section Items Construct Revision

Education Experiences Removed: N12OCCWGP, N12OCCWAGEH, 

and N12OCCWAGEL. Replaced with:

N12FUTRWAGES 

Expected wage in future 

occupation

Replaced 3 field test questions with single question 

for full scale

Education Experiences Removed: N12LIFECHNG and 

N12CHNGWAYS. Replaced with: 

N12EDBENEFTS 

Non-monetary benefits of 

education

Replaced 2 field test questions with single question 

for full scale

Financial Aid New: N12REFUND1 NPSAS issued tuition refund Added question per request from the Office of the 

Under Secretary

Financial Aid New: N12REFUND2 Refund cashed or deposited Added question per request from the Office of the 

Under Secretary

Financial Aid Returned to survey: N12OUTST Pay out-of-state or out-of-district 

tuition

Item asked in NPSAS:08; added back to 

NPSAS:12 full-scale

Financial Aid Removed: N12TOINTEN and N12TOCOST. 

Replaced with: N12AVOIDLNS 

Loan avoidance Replaced 2 field test questions with single question 

for full scale

Financial Aid Removed: N12DCLWHY, N12DCLN2K, 

N12LN2KNO, N12LNED1K, and N12LNV1K. 

Replaced with: N12UNMETNEED and 

N12NEEDAMTUG 

Unmet need and amount of 

unmet need

Replaced 5 field test questions with 2 questions for 

full scale

Financial Aid Removed: N12CSTBKS Cost of books and supplies Removed question. Item asked in student records. 

Financial Aid Removed: N12CSTEXP Expected cost of attendance Removed field test question

Financial Aid Removed: N12ASST, N12ASMAJR, 

N12ASONOF, N12ASEMP, N12ASEARN, 

N12ASERNS, N12ASHRS, N12ASWEEK

Undergraduate assistantship Removed 8 field test questions

Current Employment New: N12PRVJOB, N12PRVWAGE, 

N12PRVHRSWK, N12PRVMTHYR (asked for 

some respondents instead of asking them 

N12WRKPAY, N12ALTNUMJOB, 

N12ALTSCHED, N12ALTWAGE1/2)

Job prior to attending NPSAS 

school

In the field test, all FTBS received the same jobs 

questions. In the full scale, nontraditional FTBS will 

be asked the set of "previous job" questions in 

place of the "alternate job" questions asked of 

traditional FTBs (which will also remain in the full 

scale survey).

Current Employment Removed: N12WRKLIMITS Effects of working during the 

school year

Removed field test question

Income and Expenses Removed: N12FLNUSETYP and 

N12PLNUSETYP

Categorization of federal and 

private loan use

Removed 2 field test questions

Income and Expenses New: N12PARHELP, N12PARAMT/2 Parent financial help for college Added three questions to full scale in order to 

distinguish parent help from help other family
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Section Items Construct Revision

Income and Expenses Removed: N12FAMHLPORD. Replaced with: 

N12FAMAMT/2 

Financial assistance received 

from family/friends

Added two simplified questions for full scale in 

place of field test question

Income and Expenses Removed: N12CCUSEORD Categorization of credit card use Removed field test question

Income and Expenses New: N12BANK1 Checking/savings account Added question per request from the Office of the 

Under Secretary

Income and Expenses New: N12BANK2 Checking/savings account name Added question per request from the Office of the 

Under Secretary

Income and Expenses Removed: N12DISCOUNTA/B/C/D. Replaced 

with: N12DSCT250-N12DSCT500.

Discount rate Replaced 4 field test slider discount rate questions 

with titration discount rate set

Background Removed: N12FFLANGB Current foreign language use Removed field test question

Background Removed: N12GUARDED. Replaced with: 

N12MOMED and N12DADED 

Parents' highest level of 

education

Revised field test question wording into two 

separate questions for full scale and consolidated 

and revised response options for parent 

relationship to more closely match FAFSA and 

NPSAS:08 survey questions

Background Returned to survey: N12SIBCL Sibling in college first Item asked in NPSAS:04; added back to 

NPSAS:12 full scale

Background Revised: N12MILIT Military status Revised to include National Guard response option

Background Removed: N12MILST Serving on active duty Removed field test question 

Background Removed: N12ACS17C and N12ACS18 Dressing/bathing and doing 

errands alone disability items

Removed two field test questions

Background Returned to survey: N12MAIN Main type of disability Item asked in NPSAS:08; added back to 

NPSAS:12 full scale

Background Added to survey: N12EXTERNAL Participation in future studies Item added to seek non-FTB respondents’ active 

consent for re-contacting in the event NCES 

authorizes a qualified external researcher to invite 

sample members to participate in a follow-on study.

Locating Removed: N12VERLOCPAR Verify parents' address Item was added after field test but determined to 

not be useful for full scale survey. Previous 

methods of parent address collection are more 

efficient. 
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Section Items Construct Revision

Locating New: Added "other/specify" textbox to 

N12CELLPRO for cell phone service provider 

not in the dropdown list

Contacting information Added "other/specify" textbox that will allow 

respondents who have opted-in text message 

recontacting to list their cell-phone carrier if not on 

a pre-populated list
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Revised Items from Field Test, TRP, and Cognitive Interviews

Original and Revised NPSAS:12 Student Interview Items

Section: Front End

Construct: Contacting information

New single “other/specify” item for full scale:

Question Name END1TEXT

Wording Please provide a cell phone number and the name of your cell phone service provider 

so that we can send you a text message reminder to complete the NPSAS survey.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name END1TEXTTL1

Wording Cell phone number:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTTL2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTTL3

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTPRO

Wording Cell phone service provider:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTOTH

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider:

Response Option Response Option Details

Section: Enrollment

Construct: Enrollment at NPSAS during NPSAS year

New item for study-abroad respondents:

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12ELIG

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Have you attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 

and today? (Select Yes if you have attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 

2011 and today, even if you are not currently attending.) [else] Did you attend 

[Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ELIG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

4 Yes, but [if T_B4JULY=1: studying/else: 

studied] abroad for the entire 2011-2012 

school year

3 Yes, but also still attending high school

0 No

2 Don't know

KEY:

Green = Deleted item

Yellow = New or revised item
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Section: Enrollment

Construct: Bachelor’s degree completion for associate’s degree respondents

Removed below 4 field test questions:

Question Name N12FINISH

Wording Do you intend to complete your associate's degree at [Y_NPSCHL] or at another 

school?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINISH

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 At [Y_NPSCHL]

2 At a school other than 

[Y_NPSCHL]

3 I do not intend to complete my 

associate's degree

Question Name N12DEGELSE

Wording You indicated you do not intend to finish your associate's degree program. Do you 

intend to complete a bachelor's degree program within a year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DEGELSE

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NXTDEG

Wording After completing your associate’s degree, do you intend to begin a bachelor’s degree 

program within one year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NXTDEG

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12TRNLIKEB

Wording On a scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that you will successfully transfer 

from [Y_NPSCHL] to complete your [T_DEGREN]?

If you would like to, you can use a decimal value such as a 3.5 or a 6.5 to answer this 

question or any question in the interview that is on a 0-10 scale.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12TRNLIKEB

Wording

Response

Option

Response Option Details

Item Name N12TRNLIKEB_min

Wording 0

Response

Option

Response Option Details

Item Name N12TRNLIKEB_max
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Wording 10

New single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12EXPBA

Wording Do you plan to continue on to a bachelor's degree program within five years from now?

(A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXPBA

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: AP/IB/College credit in high school

Removed below 7 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12AP1

Wording While in high school, did you take any Advanced Placement (AP) courses or Advanced 

Placement exams? 

(Advanced placement (AP) exams are those offered in specialized study areas such as 

biology or chemistry, and credit earned by these exams may be accepted by colleges. We 

will ask you about any credits earned in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program next.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12AP1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12AP2

Wording While in high school, how many...

(If you did not take any AP courses or exams while in high school, enter a "0" in each of the 

boxes below.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12APNUMCRS

Wording AP courses did you take?

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12APNUMEXM

Wording AP exams did you score a 3 or greater on?

Response Option Response Option Details

Question 

Name

N12AP3A

Wording For the AP exam on which you scored a 3 or greater, did [Y_NPSCHL]...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12AP3ACRS
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Wording Use it only to place you in a higher level course, but not give academic credit for it?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12AP3AWRCRD

Wording Award you academic credit?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12AP3B

Wording For how many of the [N12APNUMEXM] AP exams on which you scored a 3 or greater did 

[Y_NPSCHL]...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12APNMHLCRS

Wording Place you in a higher level course, but not award you any academic credit

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12APAWRCRDT

Wording Award you academic credit

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12APNOTHING

Wording Neither place you in a higher level course nor award you any academic credit

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12AP3TOT

Wording Total

Response Option Response Option Details

Question 

Name

N12IB1

Wording While in high school, did you participate in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma 

Program?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12IB1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12IB2

Wording Were you awarded the IB diploma?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12IB2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question

Name

N12COLLCR

Wording While in high school, did you take any college-level courses for which you earned college 

credit?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12COLLCR

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

New single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12APIBCOLL

Wording While in high school, did you take any...
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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12AP

Wording Advanced Placement (AP) courses?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12IB

Wording International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12COLL

Wording College-level courses, not including AP or IB, for which you earned college credit?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Decision on major

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12DECIDEMAJ

Wording Have you decided what your major will be?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DECIDEMAJ

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Likelihood of completing degree in major/field of study

Removed below 3 field test questions:

Question

Name

N12FLDCOMB

Wording You just told [if web: us/if TIO: me] you were studying [T_CLSTY] during the most recent 

term you attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2010-2011 school year. On a scale from 0-10, how 

likely is it that you will finish a degree in [T_CLSTY]?

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question

Name

N12MJ1COMB

Wording On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it that you will finish your [T_DEGREN] in your field of 

study?

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question

Name

N12MJ2COMB
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Wording On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it that you will finish your [T_DEGREN] in your field of 

study?

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: AP/IB/College credit in high school

Removed below 2 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12MAJCHG

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1]

Have you ever formally changed your major at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else]

Did you ever formally change your major at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MAJCHG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12CHGNUM

Wording Have you changed your major...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CHGNUM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Once

2 More than once

New single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12MJCHGNUM

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] How many times have you formally changed your major at 

[Y_NPSCHL]? [else] How many times did you formally change your major at 

[Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MJCHGNUM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 None

1 One

2 More than one

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Crowding out of classes

Removed below 3 field test questions:

Question

Name

N12CROWD1

Wording In your first year at [Y_NPSCHL], were there any required classes you needed to take but 
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couldn't because the classes were already full or not offered at all?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CROWD1

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question

Name

N12CROWD2

Wording How many required classes were you unable to take?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CROWD2

Wording |class(es)

Response Option Response Option Details

Question

Name

N12CROWD3

Wording What changes did you make in your course schedule when you were unable to take the 

required classes during your first year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DIFFREQ

Wording Registered for a different required class

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12DIFFNOREQ

Wording Registered for a different class that was not a requirement

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12FEWERCOUR

Wording Took fewer classes

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CROWD3OTH

Wording Other

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CROWD3OTH_OTHER

Wording Please specify:

Response Option Response Option Details

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Entire degree program online

Question returned to survey from NPSAS:08 full scale:

Question Name N12ONLINEPGM

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: Is your entire [T_DEGREN] program at [Y_NPSCHL] online? [Else]: 

When you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year, was your 

entire [T_DEGREN] program online?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ONLINEPGM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Services used at NPSAS school

Highlighted items from field test removed for full scale

Question N12SRVUSE
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Name

Wording Which of the following services at [Y_NPSCHL] did you use in the 2010-2011 school year? 

(Visiting, emailing, or in any way communicating with and receiving information or help from 

an office or department at [Y_NPSCHL] that offers a particular service counts as use of that 

service.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINAIDUSE

Wording Financial aid services

Item Name N12ACSPUSE

Wording Academic support services (for example, tutoring or writing centers)

Item Name N12ACADUSE

Wording Academic advising

Item Name N12CPPUSE

Wording Career planning or job placement services

Item Name N12COUUSE

Wording Personal counseling services

Item Name N12HLTHUSE

Wording Student health services

Item Name N12DAYUSE

Wording Childcare services

Item Name N12VETUSE

Wording Services for veterans

Item Name N12SRVOTH

Wording Other service not mentioned

Item Name N12SRVOTH_OTHER

Wording Please specify:

Item Name N12NOSRV

Wording Did not use any services

Revised version for full scale:

Question Name N12SRVUSE

Wording Which of the following school services have you used in the 2011-2012 school year? 

(Visiting, emailing, or in any way communicating with and receiving information or help 

from a school office or department that offers a particular service counts as use of that 

service. Do not include use of these services while in high school.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINAIDUSE

Wording Financial aid counseling or advice

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ACSPUSE

Wording Academic support services (for example, tutoring or writing centers)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ACADUSE

Wording Academic advising (for example, guidance with planning for courses)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CPPUSE

Wording Career planning or job placement services

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12HLTHUSE

Wording Student health services, including personal counseling services

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12NOSRV

Wording Did not use any services

Response Option Response Option Details
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Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Importance of services used

Highlighted items from field test removed for full scale:

Question

Name

N12SRVMATRX

Wording How often did you use each of the following services, and how important was each of these 

services in your decision to stay at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINFREQ

Wording Financial aid services

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Once

2 Every term

3 Monthly

4 Weekly

5 Daily

0 Never

Item Name N12FINIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12ACSFREQ

Wording Academic support services (for example, tutoring or writing centers)

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Once

2 Every term

3 Monthly

4 Weekly

5 Daily

0 Never

Item Name N12ACSIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12AAFREQ

Wording Academic advising

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Once

2 Every term

3 Monthly

4 Weekly

5 Daily

0 Never

Item Name N12AAIMPT

Wording

Response Code Label
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Option

-9-Select one-

1 Not at all important 2 Somewhat important 3 Important 4 Very important

Item Name N12CPSFREQ

Wording Career planning or job placement services

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Once 2 Every term 3 Monthly 4 Weekly 5 Daily 0 Never

Item Name N12CPSIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Not at all important 2 Somewhat important 3 Important 4 Very important

Item Name N12PCSFREQ

Wording Personal counseling services

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Once 2 Every term 3 Monthly 4 Weekly 5 Daily 0 Never

Item Name N12PCSIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Not at all important 2 Somewhat important 3 Important 4 Very important

Item Name N12SHSFREQ

Wording Student health services

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Once 2 Every term 3 Monthly 4 Weekly 5 Daily 0 Never

Item Name N12SHSIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Not at all important 2 Somewhat important 3 Important 4 Very important

Item Name N12CCFREQ

Wording Childcare services

Response 

Option

Code Label -9 -Select one

-

1 Once 2 Every term
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3 Monthly

4 Weekly

5 Daily

0 Never

Item Name N12CCIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12VTFREQ

Wording Services for veterans

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Once

2 Every term

3 Monthly

4 Weekly

5 Daily

0 Never

Item Name N12VTIMPT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Revised version for full scale:

Question Name N12SRVIMPT

Wording [If only one service chosen on N12SRVUSE] How important was this service in your 

decision to stay in school? [else] How important was each of these services in your 

decision to stay in school?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINAIDIMP

Wording Financial aid counseling or advice

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12ACSIMP

Wording Academic support services

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12ACADIMP

Wording Academic advising

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12CPPIMP

Wording Career planning or job placement services
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Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12HLTHIMP

Wording Student health services (including personal counseling services)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Expected wage in future occupation

Removed below 3 field test questions:

Question

Name

N12OCCWGP

Wording How much do you think your yearly salary will be after you are finished with your education? 

Provide your best guess if you are unsure of the amount.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OCCWGP

Wording $ |.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Question

Name

N12OCCWAGEL

Wording What is the least amount of money you would reasonably expect to make each year when you 

are finished with your education? (Provide your best guess if you are unsure of the amount.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OCCWAGEL

Wording $ |.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Question

Name

N12OCCWAGEH

Wording What is the most amount of money you would reasonably expect to make each year when you 

are finished with your education? (Provide your best guess if you are unsure of the amount.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OCCWAGEH

Wording $ |.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

New single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12FUTRWAGES

Wording [If N12INTENDJOB=1 and N12EXJBTL ne missing] or [if N12CMPDGN=1 and 

N12EXJBTL ne missing]: [If TIO: I /else: We] have some questions about the range of 

salary you expected to make once you began working in a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job. What 
12/19/11

Page 19

was... [else if (N12INTENDJOB=1 and N12EXJBTL=missing) or (N12CMPDGN=1 and 

N12EXJBTL=missing)]: [If TIO: I/else: We] have some questions about the range of 

salary you expected to make once you finished your education. What was... [else if 

N12EXJBTL ne missing]: [If TIO: I /else: We] have some questions about the range of 

salary you expect to make once you begin working in a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job. What is... 

[else] [If TIO: I/else: We] have some questions about the range of salary you expect 

to make once you finish your education. What is...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXPWAGE

Wording 1. Your expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12HIWAGE

Wording 2. Your highest expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12LOWAGE

Wording 3. Your lowest expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Section: Education Experiences

Construct: Non-monetary benefits of education

Removed below 2 field test questions:

Question

Name

N12LIFECHNG

Wording Tell [if web: us/if TIO: me] how much you agree with this statement by providing a number 

from 1 to 5, with 1 being "strongly disagree" and 5 being "strongly agree." If you would like 

to, you can use a decimal value such as a 2.5 or a 4.5 to answer this question. My life would 

be better overall if I finished my [T_DEGREN].

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LIFECHNG

Wording

Item Name N12LIFECHNG_min

Wording 1

Item Name N12LIFECHNG_max

Wording 5

Question

Name

N12CHNGWAYS

Wording [If N12LIFECHNG in (3.5, 4, 4.5, 5)] In which of the following ways do you think your life 

would be better if you finished your education? (Else) In which of the following ways do you 

think your life would be worse if you finished your education?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CHNGWRK

Wording Choosing how and when you will complete important work tasks

Item Name N12CHNGFRDS

Wording Flexibility to make time for friends or family

Item Name N12CHNGLEIS

Wording Flexibility to make time for leisure pursuits

Item Name N12CHNGEXP

Wording Being seen as an expert in your field

Item Name N12CHNGHLP

Wording Helping others

Item Name N12CHNGSAL

Wording Yearly income
12/19/11

Page 20

Item Name N12CHNGOTH

Wording Other way not listed

Item Name N12CHNGOTH_OTHER

Wording Please tell us the other way:

Single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12EDBENEFTS

Wording Salary may be only one part of why people choose a job. Compared to the salary, how 

important is each of the following to you?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HLPOTH

Wording Helping others as part of your job

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12EXPFLD

Wording Being seen as an expert in your field

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12WRKTSKS

Wording Making your own decisions about how to get your work done

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12LEISTIME

Wording Balancing work and leisure time

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12FAMTIM

Wording Balancing work and family

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: NPSAS issued tuition refund

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12REFUND1

Wording [If N12RCVLN=0] After paying for your tuition and fees, did you or will you receive a 

refund of any scholarships or grants from [Y_NPSCHL]? [Else]: After paying for your 

tuition and fees, did you or will you receive a refund of any scholarships, grants, or 

loans from [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REFUND1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No
12/19/11

Page 21

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Refund cashed or deposited

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12REFUND2

Wording Did you or will you...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REFUND2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Ask your school to deposit the refund directly 

to your bank or credit union account

2 Cash or deposit the refund check at a bank or 

credit union yourself

3 Cash the refund check somewhere other than 

a bank or credit union (example: a checkcashing business, grocery or convenience 

store)

4 Receive the refund on a prepaid debit card

5 Receive the refund through your student ID 

card

6 Do something else not listed with the refund

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Pay out-of-state or out-of-district tuition

Question returned to full scale survey from NPSAS:08 full scale survey:

Question Name N12OUTST

Wording [If TCURENR = 1] At [Y_NPSCHL], are you charged for out-of-state or out-of-district 

tuition or fees? [else] At [Y_NPSCHL], were you charged for out-of-state or out-ofdistrict tuition or fees?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OUTST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Loan avoidance

Removed below 2 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12TOINTEN

Wording Did you choose to take fewer classes at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2010-2011 school year as a 

way to avoid taking out student loans?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12TOINTEN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes
12/19/11

Page 22

0 No

Question 

Name

N12TOCOST

Wording Did you choose to attend a school that cost you less as a way to avoid taking out student 

loans?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12TOCOST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Single replacement question for full scale:

Question Name N12AVOIDLNS

Wording [If N12FEDLN=1 or N12PRVLN=1] As a way to avoid taking out additional student 

loans during the 2011-2012 school year, did you choose to... [else] As a way to avoid 

taking out student loans during the 2011-2012 school year, did you choose to...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FEWCLSES

Wording Take fewer classes at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12CSTLESS

Wording Attend a school that cost you less?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12WRKMORE

Wording Get a job or work more hours?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Unmet need and amount of unmet need

Removed below 5 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12DCLWHY

Wording Why were you concerned that you might not be able to repay the additional loan(s)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DCLWHY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 You aren't sure you'll finish your college 

program, so you may not be able to get a job 

that pays enough

2 You expect to finish your college program, but 

you may not be able to find a job in your field 

that pays enough

3 You expect to finish your college program, but 

you worry that you won’t be able to find a job 

in any field that pays enough

4 You expect to finish your college program, but 

you don’t plan to work for pay after you're 

done

5 You don’t yet know what you'll be doing after 
12/19/11

Page 23

you finish college

Question 

Name

N12DCLN2K

Wording If you had been offered a $2,000 college loan, would you have accepted the loan?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DCLN2K

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12LN2KNO

Wording What is the main reason why you wouldn't accept the additional loan?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LN2KNO

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Your college costs are already covered with 

money from other sources

2 You would be concerned that you might not be 

able to repay the loan amount

3 You would not want more debt

Question 

Name

N12LNED1K

Wording If you had been offered a $1,000 college loan to be used only for paying educational expenses 

like tuition and books, would you have accepted the loan?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LNED1K

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12LNLV1K

Wording If you had been offered a $1,000 college loan to be used only for paying your living expenses 

like food and rent, would you have accepted the loan?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LNLV1K

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Two replacement questions for full scale:

Question Name N12UNMETNEED

Wording [If N12RCVLN le 0]: Would you have borrowed money for the 2011-2012 school year if 

you could have? [Else]: Would you have borrowed more money for the 2011-2012 

school year if you could have?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UNMETNEED

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NEEDAMTUG

Wording [If N12RCVLN le 0]: How much money would you have borrowed for the 2011-2012 
12/19/11

Page 24

school year if you could have? [Else]: How much more money would you have 

borrowed for the 2011-2012 school year if you could have?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NEEDAMTUG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $1,000

2 $1,000-$2,000

3 $2,001-$3,000

4 $3,001-$4,000

5 More than $4,000

6 $0

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Cost of books and supplies

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12CSTBKS

Wording [If T_AGE lt 24 and T_CURENR=1 ] 

What was the total cost of your books and supplies for this term or semester at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Do not include the cost of tuition and fees in this number. (Report the total cost of all books 

and supplies, even if someone else paid for your books and supplies. If you are unsure of the 

amount, provide your best guess.) 

[else if T_AGE lt 24 and T_CURENR=0 ] 

What was the total cost of your books and supplies at [Y_NPSCHL] for the last term or 

semester you attended there in the 2010-2011 school year? Do not include the cost of tuition 

and fees in this number. (Report the total cost of all books and supplies, even if someone else 

paid for your books and supplies. If you are unsure of the amount, provide your best guess.) 

[else if T_CURENR=1] 

What was the total cost of your books and supplies for this term or semester at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Do not include the cost of tuition and fees in this number. (If you are unsure of the amount, 

provide your best guess.) 

[else] 

What was the total cost of your books and supplies at [Y_NPSCHL] for the last term or 

semester you attended there in the 2010-2011 school year? Do not include the cost of tuition 

and fees in this number. (If you are unsure of the amount, provide your best guess.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CSTBKS

Wording $ |.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CSTBKTUI

Wording Cost of books and supplies were included in tuition

Response Option Response Option Details

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Expected cost of attendance

Removed below field test question:

Question N12CSTEXP
12/19/11

Page 25

Name

Wording [If T_AGE lt 24 and T_CURENR=1]: 

Overall, have you or your parents paid less, more, or about what you had planned on paying to 

attend [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else if T_AGE lt 24 and T_CURENR=0 ] 

Overall, did you or your parents pay less, more, or about what you had planned on paying to 

attend [Y_NPSCHL] when you last attended there in the 2010-2011 school year? 

[else if T_CURENR=1] 

Overall, have you paid less, more, or about what you had planned on paying to attend 

[Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else] 

Overall, did you pay less, more, or about what you had planned on paying to attend 

[Y_NPSCHL] when you last attended there in the 2010-2011 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CSTEXP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Much less than expected

2 Less than expected

3 About what was expected

4 More than expected

5 Much more than expected

Section: Financial Aid

Construct: Undergraduate assistantship

Removed below 8 field test question:

Question 

Name

N12SCHJOB

Wording [if T_CURENR=1] During the 2010-2011 school year, have you had... [else] During the 2010-

2011 school year, did you have... [All conditions include following definition] (An assistantship 

is a school-related job for which you are paid, including such jobs as a research assistant or a 

teaching assistant.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WKST

Wording A work-study job

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12ASST

Wording An assistantship

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12ASMAJR

Wording Create ltext fill: {if N12DBLMAJ = 3 or T_STAT = 3} ltext = coursework {else if N12DBLMAJ = 

2} ltext = primary major or field of study {else} ltext = major or field of study [If N12DBLMAJ 

= 3 or T_STAT = 3] [{If T_CURENR = 0} was {else} is] your assistantship related to your 

coursework at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] [{If T_CURENR = 0} was {else} is] your assistantship 

related to your [{If N12DBLMAJ = 2} primary] major or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value
12/19/11

Page 26

Item Name N12ASMAJR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12ASONOF

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Is your assistantship located primarily on or off campus? [else] Was your 

assistantship located primarily on or off campus?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASONOF

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 On campus

2 Off campus

3 Both on and off campus

Question 

Name

N12ASEMP

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Is your assistantship for [Y_NPSCHL] or for another institution or 

organization? [else] Was your assistantship for [Y_NPSCHL] or for another institution or 

organization?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASEMP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [Y_NPSCHL]

2 Another institution or organization

Question 

Name

N12ASEARN

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] How much do you earn from your assistantship while attending 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2010-2011 school year? [else] How much did you earn from your 

assistantship while you were attending [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2010-2011 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASAMT

Wording <br></br>$

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ASERNT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per year

2 Per term or semester

3 Per month

4 Per week

5 Per hour

Question 

Name

N12ASERNS

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] In the 2010-2011 school year, how many [{if N12ASERNT = 2} terms {if 

N12ASERNT = 3} months {else}weeks] will you have worked in your assistantship by the end 

of the school year? [else] During the 2010-2011 school year, how many [{if N12ASERNT = 2} 

terms {if N12ASERNT = 3} months {else}weeks] did you work in your assistantship? [If 

Y_CALSYS=0 and N12ASERNT in (missing, 4,5)] then provide the following instruction]: A 

typical semester =15 weeks. A typical quarter or trimester=10 weeks.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASERNS

Wording [If N12ASERNT = 2] term(s) [else if N12ASERNT = 3] month(s) [else] week(s)

Response Option Response Option Details

Question 

Name

N12ASHRS
12/19/11

Page 27

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] During the 2010-2011 school year, how many hours, on average, do you 

work per week in your assistantship? [else] During the 2010-2011 school year, how many 

hours, on average, did you work per week in your assistantship?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASHRS

Wording | hours per week

Response Option Response Option Details

Question 

Name

N12ASWEEK

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] For your assistantship, would you say you have worked during all the 

weeks you attended [Y_NPSCHL], most of them, half of them, or less than half? [else] For your 

assistantship, would you say you worked during all the weeks you attended [Y_NPSCHL], most 

of them, half of them, or less than half?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASWEEK

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Most

3 Half

4 Less than half

Section: Current Employment

Construct: Job prior to attending NPSAS school

Four new (alternate) questions for full scale:

Question 

Name

N12PRVJOB

Wording Before the 2011-2012 school year began, how many jobs for pay were you 

usually working at one time?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 None

1 One

2 More than one

Question 

Name

N12PRVWAGE

Wording Create T_JOBFILL: [If N12PRVJOB > 1] then T_JOBFILL = "from all jobs", [else] 

T_JOBFILL = blank How much did you usually earn [T_JOBFILL] before the 

2011-2012 school year began?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per year

2 Per month

3 Per week

4 Per hour

Question 

Name

N12PRVHRSWK

Wording Create T_JOBFILL :[If N12PRVJOB > 1] then T_JOBFILL = "at all jobs together", 

[else] T_JOBFILL = blank. On average, how many hours per week did you work 

[T_JOBFILL] before the 2011-2012 school year began?
12/19/11

Page 28

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | hour(s) per week

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12PRVMTHYR

Wording How many months of the year did you work between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 

2011?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | month(s)

Response Option

Above questions asked in full scale for some respondents in place of below questions 

(also in full scale and asked in the field test):

Question 

Name

N12WRKPAY

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, which of the following would you most 

likely have done?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WRKPAY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Work for pay

2 Work, but not be paid

3 Not work (for any reason)

4 Enter the military

Question 

Name

N12ALTNUMJOB

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, how many jobs for pay do you think you 

would have held at one time?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALTNUMJOB

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 One job at a time

2 Two or more jobs at a time

Question 

Name

N12ALTSCHED

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, would you have worked full time (40 hours 

per week) for the full year (12 months out of the year)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALTSCHED

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALTMTHYR

Wording | month(s)

Response Option Response Option Details

Question 

Name

N12ALTWAGE1

Wording [If N12WRKPAY=4]

How much do you think you would have earned if you had entered the military instead of 

attending college in the 2011-2012 school year? Provide your best guess if you are unsure of 

the amount. 
12/19/11

Page 29

[Else]: 

How much do you think you would have earned from working if you had not attended college 

at all in the 2011-2012 school year? Provide your best guess if you are unsure of the amount. 

[All get the following instruction]: (Tip: The average minimum wage is $7.75 per hour.) 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALT1AMT

Wording $|(enter an amount per hour or an amount per year)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ALT1TIM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per hour

2 Per year

Question 

Name

N12ALTWAGE2

Wording How much do you think you would have earned at all your jobs together if you had not 

attended college in the 2011-2012 school year? Provide your best guess if you are unsure of 

the amount. 

(Tip: The average minimum wage is $7.75 per hour.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALT2AMT

Wording $|.00 (enter an amount per week, per month, or per year)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ALT2TIM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per week

2 Per month

3 Per year

Section: Current Employment

Construct: Effects of working during the school year

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12WRKLIMITS

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] 

Has working during the 2011-2012 school year... 

[Else] 

Did working during the 2011-2012 school year...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LIMNUMCL

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: Limited the number of classes you could take? 

[Else]: Limit the number of classes you could take?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12LIMSCHED

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: Made it difficult to schedule your classes? [Else]: 

Make it difficult to schedule your classes?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12LIMFAC

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: Limited your access to campus facilities or 

services? [Else]: Limit your access to campus facilities or services?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No
12/19/11

Page 30

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Categorization of federal and private loan use

Removed below 2 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12FLNUSETYP

Wording The next several questions focus on how you have paid for your expenses while you have 

attended [Y_NPSCHL].

In the 2010-2011 school year, have you used more than $1,000 of your federal student loans

to pay for:

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FLNUSETUI

Wording Tuition, fees, and other educational expenses

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12FLNUSELIV

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else if N12MARR=2] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12FLNUSEEXP

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else in N12MARR=2]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

All other expenses you may have

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12FLNUSEOTH

Wording The expenses of others, such as your parents or guardians and other relatives

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12PLNUSETYP

Wording In the 2010-2011 school year, have you used more than $1,000 of your private student loans

to pay for:

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PLNUSETUI

Wording Tuition, fees, and other educational expenses

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12PLNUSELIV

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]
12/19/11

Page 31

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else if N12MARR=2]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse 

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your t_fill1 

[Else]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12PLNUSEEXP

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else in N12MARR=2]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse 

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your t_fill1 

[Else]

All other expenses you may have

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12PLNUSEOTH

Wording The expenses of others, such as your parents or guardians and other relatives

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Parent financial help for college

Three new questions for full scale:

Question Name N12PARHELP

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-

June 30, 2012), will your parents (or guardians) have helped you pay for any of 

your education and living expenses while you are enrolled in school? [Else]: 

Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), did 

your parents (or guardians) help you pay for any of your education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PARAMT

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how 

much will your parents (or guardians) have helped you pay for any of your 

education and living expenses while you are enrolled in school? Is it... [Else]: 

Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how much did your 

parents (or guardians) help you pay for any of your education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school? Was it...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $250

2 $250-$500

3 $501-$1,000

4 $1,001-$1,500

5 $1,501-$2,000

6 More than $2,000
12/19/11

Page 32

Question Name N12PARAMT2

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: OK. Is the amount your parents (or guardians) will have helped 

you pay for any of your education and living expenses through the end of the 

2011-2012 school year... [Else]: OK. Was the amount your parents (or guardians) 

helped you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you were 

enrolled in school through the end of the 2011-2012 school year...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $2,001-$5,000

2 $5,001-$10,000

3 $10,001-$15,000

4 $15,001-$20,000

5 $20,001-$25,000

6 More than $25,000

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Financial assistance received from family/friends

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12FAMHLPORD

Wording [If N12MARR=2]

Of the money received from family or friends other than your spouse, about how much do 

you use each term or semester to pay for: 

[Else]

Of the money received from family or friends, about how much do you use each term or 

semester to pay for:

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FAMORDTUI

Wording Tuition, fees, and other educational expenses

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Item Name N12FAMORDLIV

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food (or room and board) for you and your spouse 

and t_fill1 

[Else if N12MARR=2] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food (or room and board) for you and your spouse 

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food (or room and board) for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food (or room and board)

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Item Name N12FAMORDEXP

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 
12/19/11

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[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] 

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else in N12MARR=2]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse 

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0]

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

All other expenses you may have

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Replaced with two new simplified questions for full scale:

Question Name N12FAMAMT

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how 

much will these family or friends have helped you pay for any of your education 

and living expenses while you are enrolled in school? Is it... [Else]: Through the 

end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how much did these family or friends 

help you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you were 

enrolled in school? Was it...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $250

2 $250-$500

3 $501-$1,000

4 $1,001-$1,500

5 $1,501-$2,000

6 More than $2,000

Question Name N12FAMAMT2

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: OK. Is the amount these family or friends will have helped you 

pay for any of your education and living expenses through the end of the 2011-

2012 school year... [Else]: OK. Was the amount these family or friends helped 

you pay for any of your education and living expenses through the end of the 

2011-2012 school year...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $2,001-$5,000

2 $5,001-$10,000

3 $10,001-$15,000

4 $15,001-$20,000

5 $20,001-$25,000

6 More than $25,000

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Categorization of credit card use

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12CCUSEORD

Wording About how much have you charged on your credit cards each term or semester to pay for:
12/19/11

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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CCTUIORD

Wording Tuition, fees, and other educational expenses

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Item Name N12CCLIVORD

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse and t_fill1

[Else if N12MARR=2] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your spouse 

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

Basic living expenses such as rent and food

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Item Name N12CCEXPORD

Wording Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill1=child {else} t_fill1=children 

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] 

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse and t_fill1 

[Else in N12MARR=2] 

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your spouse

[Else if N12DEP2 gt 0] 

All other expenses you may have including expenses for you and your t_fill1 

[Else] 

All other expenses you may have

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Item Name N12CCOTHORD

Wording The expenses of others, such as your parents or guardians and other relatives

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 $1 to $500

2 $501 to $1,000

3 $1,001 to $1,500

4 $1,501 to $2,000

5 More than $2,000

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Checking/savings account

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12BANK1

Wording Do you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union?

Item Spec Name Value
12/19/11

Page 35

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Checking/savings account name

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12BANK2

Wording Is your primary checking or savings account...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 In your name only, or

2 Shared between you and someone else

Section: Income and Expenses

Construct: Discount rate

Removed below 4 field test questions:

Question

Name

N12DISCOUNTA

Wording Imagine you have a choice between receiving $750 in one month, or $1500 one year from 

today. This gift is guaranteed to be paid whether you would choose to take the $750 in one 

month or wait to receive $1500 one year from today. 

Would you prefer...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DISCOUNTA

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

750 $750 one month from today

1500 $1500 one year from today

Question

Name

N12DISCOUNTB

Wording You just said you would wait a year to receive $1500 rather than take $750 in one month. 

Starting with $750, what’s the least amount of money you’d be willing to wait a year for?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DISCOUNTB

Wording Least amount of money you would wait a year for:

Item Name N12DISCOUNTB_min

Wording 750

Item Name N12DISCOUNTB_max

Wording 1500

Question

Name

N12DISCOUNTC

Wording Imagine you have a choice between receiving $750 in one month, or $1125 six months from 

today. This gift is guaranteed to be paid whether you would choose to take the $750 in one 
12/19/11

Page 36

month or wait to receive $1125 six months from today. 

Would you prefer...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DISCOUNTC

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

750 $750 one month from today

1125 $1125 six months from today

Question

Name

N12DISCOUNTD

Wording You just said you would wait six months to receive $1125 rather than take $750 one month 

from today. 

Starting with $750, what’s the least amount of money you’d be willing to wait six months for?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DISCOUNTD

Wording Least amount of money you would wait a year for:

Item Name N12DISCOUNTD_min

Wording 750

Item Name N12DISCOUNTD_max

Wording 1125

Replaced with 6 simplified questions for full scale:

Question Name N12DSCT250

Wording Now [If web mode: we/else: I] have a series of quick "what-if" scenarios for you 

about money. Imagine you have a choice between receiving $250 today, or $250 

in one year. This gift is guaranteed whether you choose to take the $250 today, 

or $250 in one year. Would you prefer...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $250 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT300

Wording Thanks. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $300 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT350

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $350 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT400

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $400 in one year
12/19/11

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Question Name N12DSCT450

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $450 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT500

Wording Finally, how about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $500 in one year

Section: Background

Construct: Current foreign language use

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12FFLANGB

Wording [If N12FLANG in (2, 3)]

Today, how often do you interact with others in Spanish? 

[Else]

Today, how often do you interact with others in your non-English language?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FFLANGB

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 Sometimes

2 About half of the time

3 Most of the time

4 Always

Section: Background

Construct: Parents' highest level of education

Removed below field test question:

Question 

Name

N12GUARDED

Wording For each of your parents or guardians, describe their relationship to you (for example, 

"mother") and the highest level of education they have completed.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GUARDREL1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select One1 Mother

2 Father

3 Stepmother

4 Stepfather
12/19/11

Page 38

5 Grandmother

6 Grandfather

7 Aunt

8 Uncle

9 Sister

10 Brother

11 Other person

Item Name N12GUARDHED1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

4 Less than 2 years of college

5 Associate's degree

6 2 or more years of college but no degree

7 Bachelor's degree

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (law or medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Item Name N12GUARDREL2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select One1 Mother

2 Father

3 Stepmother

4 Stepfather

5 Grandmother

6 Grandfather

7 Aunt

8 Uncle

9 Sister

10 Brother

11 Other person

Item Name N12GUARDHED2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

4 Less than 2 years of college

5 Associate's degree

6 2 or more years of college but no degree

7 Bachelor's degree

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (law or medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Item Name N12GUARDNO

Wording Only wish to identify one parent/guardian 

Replaced with below two questions for full scale:

Question Name N12MOMED

Wording What is the highest level of education your mother completed?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 39

Option 1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

6 Some college but no degree

5 Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

7 Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (chiropractic, dentistry, 

law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, 

or veterinary medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Question Name N12DADED

Wording What is the highest level of education your father completed?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

6 Some college but no degree

5 Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

7 Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (chiropractic, dentistry, 

law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, 

or veterinary medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Section: Background

Construct: Sibling in college first

Question returned to full scale survey from NPSAS:04 full scale survey:

Question Name N12SIBCL

Wording Do you have any brothers or sisters who went to college before you did?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Background

Construct: Military status

Question revised for full scale to include highlighted item:

Question Name N12MILIT

Wording Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or are you currently serving in the 

Armed Forces either on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard?
12/19/11

Page 40

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Veteran

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Active duty

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Reserves

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording National Guard

Response Option

Wording None of the above

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 None of the above

0 No

Section: Background

Construct: Serving on active duty

Removed below field test question:

Question

Name

N12MILST

Wording Have you ever served on active duty during a military operation, such as a war or national 

emergency?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MILST

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Background

Construct: Dressing/bathing and doing errands alone disability items

Removed below 2 field test questions:

Question 

Name

N12ACS17C

Wording Do you have difficulty dressing or bathing?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ACS17C

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12ACS18

Wording Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have difficulty doing errands 

alone such as visiting a doctor's office or shopping?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ACS18
12/19/11

Page 41

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Section: Background

Construct: Main type of disability

Question returned to full scale survey from NPSAS:08 full scale survey:

Question Name N12MAIN

Wording What is the main type of condition or impairment that you have?

(Please choose only one.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Hearing impairment (for example, deaf or hard 

of hearing)

2 Blindness or visual impairment that cannot be 

corrected by wearing glasses

3 Speech or language impairment

4 Orthopedic or mobility impairment

5 Specific learning disability or dyslexia

6 Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

7 Health impairment or problem

8 Mental, emotional or psychiatric condition

9 Depression

10 Developmental disability

11 Brain injury

12 Other

Section: Background

Construct: Participation in future studies

New question for full scale:

Question Name N12EXTERNAL

Wording We are almost done with this survey. But first, I want to let you know that some 

students may be invited to participate in follow-up studies to learn more about their 

education and employment experiences after completing this survey. These follow-up 

studies will be led by external researchers not affiliated with the Department of 

Education. We would like to seek your permission to allow RTI to re-contact you on 

behalf of one of the external researchers. Your participation in future studies is 

completely voluntary, but there is no substitute for your response. 

Are you willing to be contacted about these future studies?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXTERNAL

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No
12/19/11

Page 42

Section: Locating

Construct: Verify parents’ address

Removed question (added after field test; removed before full-scale):

Question 

Name

N12VERLOCPAR

Wording Which of the following is where your parent(s) or guardian(s) currently live?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12VERLOCPAR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [fill Y_LOC1AD]

2 [fill N12LOCADR]

3 Parent(s)/Guardian(s) live at a 

different address

Section: Locating

Construct: Contacting information

New single “other/specify” item for full scale:

Question Name N12CELLPRO

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Alltel

2 AT&T

3 Boost Mobile

4 Cellular One

5 Cricket

6 Metro-PCS

7 Nextel

8 Qwest

9 Sprint

10 Straight Talk

11 T-Mobile

12 Tracfone

13 US Cellular

14 Verizon

15 Virgin Mobile

16 Other

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider:

Response Option
12/19/11

Page 43

Full Facsimile of Full-Scale Interview

Front End

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12RESPCONF

Wording Before we begin, it is important to verify that we are surveying the correct person.

Are you the [Y_FNAME] [Y_MNAME] [Y_LNAME] [Y_SNAME], who was enrolled 

at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year?

If you are not [Y_FNAME] [Y_MNAME] [Y_LNAME] [Y_SNAME], please log out 

and call 1-877-NPSAS-NOW (1-877-677-2766) to reach our Help Desk and get your 

correct Study ID.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12RESPCONF

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CONSENT

Wording [If Y_MINOR=3] Recently, we sent material to you and your parents about a study we 

are conducting for the U.S. Department of Education about how students and their 

families pay for education beyond high school. As a token of our appreciation, you will 

receive a [INC_AMOUNT] check once you complete the survey. Your parents have 

reviewed the material and given permission for you to participate in this study. Have you 

had a chance to read the material? [Else] Recently, we sent you material about a study 

we are conducting for the U.S. Department of Education about how students and their 

families pay for education beyond high school. As a token of our appreciation, you will 

receive a [INC_AMOUNT] check once you complete the survey. Have you had a chance 

to read the material?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CONSENT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes, I have read the material

0 No, I have not read the material

Question Name INFCON1

Wording Great. If you have any questions about this study, you may contact the study's director, 

Dr. Jennifer Wine, at 1-877-225-8470. For questions about your rights as a study 

participant, you may contact RTI’s Office of Research Protection toll free at 1-866-214-

2043. To review the letter that we mailed, click here (PDF letter, 36KB). To review the 

study brochure, click here (PDF brochure, 839KB). On average, the survey takes about 

25 minutes. You may decline to answer any question or stop the survey at any time. Do 

you want to begin the survey now?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name INFCON1

Wording

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 44

Option 1 Yes, I agree to participate now

2 Not now, but I want to participate at a later 

time

0 No, I do not want to participate at all

Question Name INFCON2

Wording The survey takes about 25 minutes. Your responses, combined with student record 

information, may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or 

used, in personally identifiable form for any other purpose, except as required by law 

(20 U.S.C. § 9573). You are one of approximately 125,000 students who will be taking 

part in this study. In addition to your survey responses, we collect financial aid, student 

records and related information from your institution and sources such as student loan 

databases and admissions testing agencies. Some students, such as those who enrolled 

in college for the first time between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and other special 

groups, may be selected for follow-up studies in later years to learn more about their 

education and employment experiences since completing this 2012 survey. Your 

participation is voluntary and will not affect any aid or other benefits that you may 

receive. You may decline to answer any question or stop the survey at any time. The 

risk of participating in this study is small and relates to data security. However, your 

information will be kept in secure and protected data files. If you have any questions 

about the study, you may contact the study's director, Dr. Jennifer Wine, at 1-877-225-

8470. For questions about your rights as a study participant, please contact RTI’s Office 

of Research Protection toll free at 1-866-214-2043. Please call the NPSAS Help Desk at 

1-877-NPSAS-NOW (1-877-677-2766) if you would like to have the materials sent to 

you. To review the letter that we mailed, click here. (PDF letter, 36KB) To review the 

study brochure, click here. (PDF brochure, 839KB) Do you want to begin the survey 

now?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name INFCON2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes, I agree to participate now

2 Not now, but I want to participate at a later 

time

0 No, I do not want to participate at all

Question Name END1

Wording Thank you. We look forward to your participation. We will send you a reminder message

in a few weeks if you have not yet completed your NPSAS survey.

We can send you an email message and a text message reminder. 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name END1_EMAIL

Wording Please provide your email address:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1_TEXT

Wording Select this box if you would like us to send you a <strong>text message</strong> 

reminder.

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name END1TEXT

Wording Please provide a cell phone number and the name of your cell phone service provider so 

that we can send you a text message reminder to complete the NPSAS survey.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name END1TEXTTL1

Wording Cell phone number:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTTL2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTTL3
12/19/11

Page 45

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTPRO

Wording Cell phone service provider:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name END1TEXTOTH

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider:

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name END2

Wording We hope you will reconsider participating in this important education study, for which we 

are offering a $[INC_AMOUNT] incentive. Your participation is vital to the success of this 

study.

If you decide you would like to participate, click “Next” to continue with the survey, or 

call 1-877-NPSAS-NOW (1-877-677-2766).

If you still decide not to participate, please help us to improve our survey by telling us 

more (in the box below) about your reasons for choosing not to participate.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name END2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name RETRNFRM

Wording You can return to the study website, https://surveys.nces.ed.gov/npsas to participate. If 

you would like to continue with the survey, click the “Next” button. To exit the survey, 

simply close your browser.

Item

Enrollment

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12ELIG

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Have you attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 

and today? (Select Yes if you have attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 

2011 and today, even if you are not currently attending.) [else] Did you attend 

[Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ELIG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

4 Yes, but [if T_B4JULY=1: studying/else: 

studied] abroad for the entire 2011-2012 

school year

3 Yes, but also still attending high school

0 No

2 Don't know

Question Name N12CURENR

Wording Are you currently attending [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CURENR

Wording
12/19/11

Page 46

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NOATT

Wording Why are you not currently attending [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NOATT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

6 On break (for example, on summer break)

1 Completed course or program at [Y_NPSCHL]

2 Withdrew from [Y_NPSCHL]

3 Attending a different school, but still enrolled at 

[Y_NPSCHL] (including studying abroad)

4 Taking a leave of absence from [Y_NPSCHL]

5 Other reason

Question Name N12DRP

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1]

When did you last attend [Y_NPSCHL]?

[else]

When did you last attend [Y_NPSCHL] between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DRPMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12DRPYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2011 2011

2012 2012

Question Name N12DRPTM

Wording [If (N12ELIG=1 and (N12DRPMM blank or N12DRPYY blank)) or (N12ELIG ne 1 and 

(N12LASTMM blank or N12LASTYY blank))]

When you last attended [Y_NPSCHL], did you leave at the end of the term, or did you 

leave before the term ended?

[else if N12ELIG=1]

Is that date ([N12DRPMM/N12DRPYY]) at the end of the term, or did you leave before 

the term ended?

[else]

Is that date ([N12LASTMM/N12LASTYY]) at the end of the term, or did you leave before 

the term ended?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DRPTM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Left at the end of the term, or still enrolled as 
12/19/11

Page 47

of June 30, 2012

2 Left before the term ended

Question Name N12DRPRF

Wording Did you receive a full refund of your tuition when you left?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DRPRF

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DRPCMP

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: Have you completed a course [if Y_CALSYS=0: or term] at 

[Y_NPSCHL] at any time since July 1, 2011? [else]: Did you complete a course [if 

Y_CALSYS=0: or term] at [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 

2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DRPCMP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DRPOK

Wording [if Y_CALSYS=1] Because you left [Y_NPSCHL], some questions in this survey may seem 

awkward. Please answer the questions as best you can. Your answers will help us to 

better understand why people leave school. [Else]: Because you left [Y_NPSCHL] before 

completing the term, some questions in this survey may seem awkward. Please answer 

the questions as best you can. Your answers will help us to better understand why 

people leave school.

Item

Question Name N12EVREN

Wording Have you ever attended [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EVREN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12LAST

Wording In what month and year did you last attend [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LASTMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12LASTYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label
12/19/11

Page 48

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001

2000 2000

1999 Before 2000

Question Name N12WHYSM

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Our records seem to be in error. Do you know why you were listed as 

having attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and today? (Please enter 

any information in the textbox below.) [else] Our records seem to be in error. Do you 

know why you were listed as having attended [Y_NPSCHL] between July 1, 2011 and 

June 30, 2012? (Please enter any information in the textbox below.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WHYSM

Wording

Question Name N12BACHENR

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: Are you in a bachelor's degree program at [Y_NPSCHL]? [Else]: Were 

you in a bachelor's degree program during your most recent term of enrollment at 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012)? [All get the 

following instruction]: (A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or 

university and usually requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12BACHENR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DEGREE

Wording [If Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_CURENR = 1 and TIO mode] Are you currently working on an 

associate's degree, or on an undergraduate certificate or diploma including those leading 

to a license, or are you taking courses but not enrolled in a certificate or degree program 

at [Y_NPSCHL]? [Else if Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_CURENR = 1] Which of the following are 

you currently working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else if Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_CURENR=0 and 

TIO mode] Were you working on an associate's degree, or on an undergraduate 

certificate or diploma including those leading to a license, or were you taking courses 

but not enrolled in a certificate or degree program during your most recent term of 

enrollment at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012)? 

[else if Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_CURENR=0] Which of the following were you working on 

during your most recent term of enrollment at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012)? [else if Y_NPLVL=2 and T_CURENR = 1] What degree or 

certificate are you currently working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? Please indicate only the degree 

or certificate programs for which you are currently enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL]. Do not 

indicate any degree or certificate programs in which you plan to enroll at a future date. 

For example, if you are earning your associate’s degree but intend to later earn a 

bachelor’s degree, you would indicate only the associate’s degree here. [else If 

Y_NPLVL=2 and T_CURENR=0] What degree or certificate were you working on during 

your most recent term of enrollment at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 

1, 2011 - June 30, 2012)? Please indicate only the degree or certificate programs for 
12/19/11

Page 49

which you were enrolled during your most recent term at [Y_NPSCHL] in 2011-2012. For 

example, if you were in an associate’s degree program during your last term at 

[Y_NPSCHL] but were planning to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, you would 

indicate only the associate’s degree here. [else if T_CURENR = 1] What degree or 

certificate are you currently working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] What degree or 

certificate were you working on during your most recent term of enrollment at 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012)? [All TIO 

receive the following] (I'll ask about your major or field of study later in the survey.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGAS

Wording Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGBA

Wording Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGMA

Wording Master's degree

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGDRR

Wording Doctoral degree--research/scholarship (for example, PhD, EdD, etc.)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGDRPP

Wording Doctoral degree--professional practice (including: chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, 

optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, or veterinary medicine)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGDROT

Wording Doctoral degree--other

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGCE

Wording Undergraduate certificate or diploma (usually less than 2 years), including those leading to 

a license (example: cosmetology)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGPB

Wording Post-baccalaureate certificate

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGPM

Wording Post-master's certificate

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGUND

Wording Undergraduate level classes

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DGGNG

Wording Graduate level classes

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes
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0 No

Question Name N12UGSTATVER

Wording Are you primarily an undergraduate working toward a bachelor's degree?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGSTATVER

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ASSOC

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What type of associate's degree are you working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else] What type of associate's degree were you working on when you last attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ASSOC

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 AA, Associate of Arts

2 AS, Associate of Science

3 AAS, Associate of Applied Science

4 AGS, Associate of General Studies

5 AGE, Associate of General Education

6 Other type of Associate's degree designed for 

transfer

7 Other type of technical or occupational 

Associate's degree

8 Other Associate's degree not listed

Question Name N12DGMS

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What specific master's degree are you working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else] What specific master's degree were you working on when you last attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGMS

Wording Master's degree

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Master of Science (MS)

2 Master of Arts (MA)

3 Master of Education (MEd) or Teaching (MAT)

4 Master of Business Administration (MBA)

5 Master of Public Administration (MPA)

6 Master of Social Work (MSW)

7 Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

8 Master of Public Health (MPH)

9 Other Master's degree not listed

Question Name N12DGD

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What specific doctoral degree are you working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else] What specific doctoral degree were you working on when you last attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?"

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGD

Wording Doctoral degree

Response 

Option

Code Label

11 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

12 Doctor of Education (EdD)

13 Doctor of Science (DSc/ScD) or Engineering 

(DEng)

14 Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

15 Doctor of Business or Public Administration 

(DBA/DPA)

16 Doctor of Fine Arts (DFA)

17 Doctor of Divinity/Theology (ThD)
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Page 51

18 Other Doctoral degree not listed

Question Name N12DGPP

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What specific degree are you working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] 

What specific degree were you working on when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 

2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGPP

Wording Professional degree

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Chiropractic (DC/DCM)

2 Dentistry (DDS/DMD)

3 Law (JD/LLB)

4 Medicine (MD) or osteopathic medicine (DO)

5 Ministry or divinity (DMin)

6 Optometry (OD)

7 Pharmacy (PharmD)

8 Podiatry (DPM/DP/PodD)

9 Veterinary medicine (DVM)

10 Other professional practice doctoral degree 

not listed

Question Name N12CKHOUR

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Does your certificate or diploma program require at least 3 months or 

300 hours of instruction? [else] Did your certificate or diploma program require at least 3 

months or 300 hours of instruction?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CKHOUR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12RMCRD

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] While you are attending [Y_NPSCHL], are you taking only remedial 

or developmental classes? (Remedial or developmental courses are used to strengthen 

your skills before you take your first college-level course in math, reading, or other 

subjects. Students are usually assigned to these courses on the basis of a placement test 

taken before the school year begins. Often, these courses do not count for credit toward 

graduation.) [else] When you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year, 

were you taking only remedial or developmental classes? (Remedial or developmental 

courses are used to strengthen your skills before you take your first college-level course 

in math, reading, or other subjects. Students are usually assigned to these courses on 

the basis of a placement test taken before the school year begins. Often, these courses 

do not count for credit toward graduation.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12RMCRD

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ELCRD

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Are you taking at least one course for credit at [Y_NPSCHL] that 

could be applied toward fulfilling the requirements for an academic degree? [else] When 

you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year, were you taking at least 

one course for credit that could be applied toward fulfilling the requirements for an 

academic degree?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ELCRD

Wording

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 52

Option 1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NPELG

Wording

Item

Question Name N12BYE

Wording Based on your responses, it seems you may not be eligible for this study. We will review 

your responses and we may need to contact you again.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12BYEEM

Wording Please provide your e-mail address:

Item Name N12BYEAD

Wording Please provide an address where you can be contacted: Street Address:

Item Name N12BYECY

Wording City

Item Name N12BYEZP

Wording Zip Code

Item Name N12BYEST

Wording State

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut

DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana

IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina
12/19/11

Page 53

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa

FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Item Name N12BYETL1

Wording Phone number:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYETL2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYETL3

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEAD2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFAD

Wording Foreign Address:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFS

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFCY

Wording Foreign City:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFZ

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFC

Wording Foreign Country:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12BYEFOR

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12DIPL

Wording Which of the following best describes your high school completion? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DIPL

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Received a high school diploma

2 Received a GED (General Educational 

Development) certificate or other equivalent 

credential

3 Received a high school completion certificate

4 Attended a foreign high school

6 Home schooled

5 Did not complete high school or a high school 

equivalency program

Question Name N12HSGRAD

Wording [If N12DIPL=4] 
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Page 54

In what month and year did you complete high school? 

[else if N12DIPL= 1]

In what month and year did you receive your high school diploma?

[else if N12DIPL= 3]

In what month and year did you receive your high school certificate?

[else if N12DIPL= 2] 

In what month and year did you receive your GED? 

[else] 

In what month and year did you complete high school?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HSMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12HSYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001

2000 2000

1999 1999

1998 1998

1997 1997

1996 1996

1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 1992

1991 1991

1990 1990

1989 1989

1988 1988

1987 1987

1986 1986

1985 1985

1984 1984

1983 1983

1982 1982

1981 1981
12/19/11

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1980 1980

1979 Before 1980

Question Name N12HSCMP

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Were you completing high school requirements for the entire time 

you attended [Y_NPSCHL] since July 1, 2011? [else] Were you completing high school 

requirements for the entire time you attended [Y_NPSCHL] between July 1, 2011 and 

June 30, 2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HSCMP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

2 Don't know

Question Name N12PRDG

Wording [If N12DIPL=5] Have you earned any degrees or certificates since high school? (Only 

include degrees or certificates earned through a college, university, or trade school.) 

[else if T_DEGREE in (1 5)] Have you earned any degrees or certificates since you 

completed your high school requirements? (Only include degrees or certificates earned 

through a college, university, or trade school.) [else] Other than the [T_DEGREN] that 

you [{if T_CURENR=1} are {else} were] working on at [Y_NPSCHL], have you earned 

any other degrees or certificates since you completed your high school requirements? 

(Only include degrees or certificates earned through a college, university, or trade 

school.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRDG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

2 Don't know

Question Name N12OTDG

Wording Other than the [T_DEGREN] that you [{if T_CURENR=1} are {else} were] working on at 

[Y_NPSCHL], what other degrees or certificates have you already earned since 

completing your high school requirements? (Only include degrees or certificates earned 

through a college, university, or trade school.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OTCE

Wording Undergraduate certificate or diploma (usually less than 2 years), including those leading 

to a license (example: cosmetology)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTAS

Wording Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTBA

Wording Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTPB

Wording Post-baccalaureate certificate

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTMA

Wording Master's degree
12/19/11

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Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTPM

Wording Post-master's certificate

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTDRR

Wording Doctoral degree--research/scholarship (includes PhD, Ed.D., etc.)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTDRPP

Wording Doctoral degree--professional practice (including: chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, 

optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, or veterinary medicine)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OTDROT

Wording Doctoral degree--other

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PRBDAT

Wording In what month and year was your bachelor's degree awarded? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRBMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12PRBYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001

2000 2000

1999 1999

1998 1998

1997 1997

1996 1996
12/19/11

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1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 1992

1991 1991

1990 1990

1989 1989

1988 1988

1987 1987

1986 1986

1985 1985

1984 1984

1983 1983

1982 1982

1981 1981

1980 1980

1979 Before 1980

Question Name N12NFST

Wording Was [Y_NPSCHL] the first college, university, or trade school you attended after 

completing your high school requirements?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NFST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12FSTSTR

Wording In which month and year did you first attend any college, university, or trade school 

after completing your high school requirements?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FSTMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12FSTYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001
12/19/11

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2000 2000

1999 1999

1998 1998

1997 1997

1996 1996

1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 1992

1991 1991

1990 1990

1989 1989

1988 1988

1987 1987

1986 1986

1985 1985

1984 1984

1983 1983

1982 1982

1981 1981

1980 1980

1979 Before 1980

Question Name N12SCHSTR

Wording In which month and year did you first attend [Y_NPSCHL] after completing your high 

school requirements? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGBMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12DGBYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001

2000 2000

1999 1999

1998 1998

1997 1997

1996 1996
12/19/11

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1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 1992

1991 1991

1990 1990

1989 1989

1988 1988

1987 1987

1986 1986

1985 1985

1984 1984

1983 1983

1982 1982

1981 1981

1980 1980

1979 Before 1980

Question Name N12CDTCHK

Wording Did you first attend [Y_NPSCHL] on or after July 1, 2011?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CDTCHK

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PGMST

Wording When did you begin your [T_DEGREN] at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PGMSMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12PGMSYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2011 2011

2010 2010

2009 2009

2008 2008

2007 2007

2006 2006

2005 2005

2004 2004

2003 2003

2002 2002

2001 2001

2000 2000

1999 1999

1998 1998
12/19/11

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1997 1997

1996 1996

1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 Before 1993

Question Name N12NENRL

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Between July 2011 and June 2012, in which months have you 

attended, or do you expect to attend [Y_NPSCHL]? Please do your best to predict your 

attendance through June 30, 2012. Do not include any months during which you are not 

taking classes, such as summer break. (If you have attended or will attend [Y_NPSCHL] 

for only a portion of any month, please include that month.) [else] Between July 2011 

and June 2012, in which months did you attend [Y_NPSCHL]? [{if T_B4JULY=1} If you 

plan to attend [Y_NPSCHL] before June 30, 2012, please indicate the months you plan 

to attend.] Do not include any months during which you were not taking classes, such as 

summer break. (If you attended [Y_NPSCHL] for only a portion of any month, please 

include that month.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NEN11YR

Wording <b>2011</b>

Item Name N12NEN01

Wording July

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN02

Wording August

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN03

Wording September

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN04

Wording October

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN05

Wording November

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN06

Wording December

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN12YR

Wording <b>2012</b>

Item Name N12NEN07

Wording January

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN08

Wording February

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN09

Wording March
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Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN10

Wording April

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN11

Wording May

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NEN12

Wording June

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Not enrolled

1 Enrolled

Item Name N12NENDK

Wording Don't know

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12STST

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] 

For the period of time you have been attending [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 

school year, have you been mainly a full-time or part-time student, or an equal mix of 

both? 

[else]

For the period of time you were attending [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school 

year, were you mainly a full-time or part-time student, or an equal mix of both?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12STST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Full-time

2 Part-time

3 Equal mix of full-time and part-time

Question Name N12PGMFT

Wording Since the time that you first started working on your [T_DEGREN] prior to the 2011-

2012 school year, were you mainly a full-time or part-time student, or an equal mix of 

both?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PGMFT

Wording

Response

Option

Code Label

1 Full-time

2 Part-time

3 Equal mix of full-time and part-time

Question Name N12NEW01

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Have you attended any other colleges, universities, or trade schools 

besides [Y_NPSCHL] since July 1, 2011? [Else] Did you attend any other colleges, 

universities, or trade schools besides [Y_NPSCHL] between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 

2012? [Instruction if N12BPSELG=1]: (If you were in high school during the 2011-2012 

school year, answer Yes only if you attended any other colleges, universities, or trade 

schools after completing your high school requirements.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NEW01

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label
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Page 62

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12SCH01

Wording [IF WEB MODE] What other school did you attend between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 

2012? [ELSE] What other school did you attend, and in what city and state is it 

located? Please bear with me as I code this.

Item Spec Name Value

School Data Source: IPEDS: Integrated Postsecondary Data Education 

(“IPEDS”) Coder System (NCES)

Question Name N12ENRL01

Wording [If T_B4JULY= 1] Between July 2011 and June 2012, which months did you attend, or 

do you expect to attend [{If N12SCH01 = blank} the other school you went to {else} 

[N12SCH01]]? Please do your best to predict your attendance through June 30, 2012. 

Do not include any months during which you are not taking classes, such as summer 

break. (If your attendance covers only a portion of any month, please include that 

month.) [else] Between July 2011 and June 2012, which months did you attend, or do 

you expect to attend [{If N12SCH01 = blank} the other school you went to {else} 

[N12SCH01]]? Do not include any months during which you are not taking classes, such 

as summer break. (If you attended for only a portion of any month, please include that 

month.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

Months of July 2011 through June 2012

Question Name N12STS01

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] For the period of time you have attended [{If N12SCH01 = blank} 

the other school you went to {else} [N12SCH01]] during the 2011-2012 school year, 

have you been mainly a full-time or part-time student, or an equal mix of both? [else] 

For the period of time you attended [{If N12SCH01 = blank} the other school you went 

to {else} [N12SCH01]] during the 2011-2012 school year, were you mainly a full-time 

or part-time student, or an equal mix of both?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Full-time

2 Part-time

3 Equal mix of full-time and part-time

Question Name N12NEW02

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] You already told [if web: us/if TIO: me] that you have attended the 

following schools since July 1, 2011: [List schools] Have you attended any other 

colleges, universities, or trade schools since July 1, 2011? [else] You already told [if 

web: us/if TIO: me] that you have attended the following schools between July 1, 2011 

and June 30, 2012: [List schools] Did you attend any other colleges, universities, or 

trade schools between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ATTOTHSCH

Wording Have you ever attended another college, university, or trade school besides [Y_NPSCHL] 

since completing your high school requirements?
12/19/11

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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ATTOTHSCH

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12EVR4YR

Wording Since completing your high school requirements, have you attended a four-year college 

or university?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EVR4YR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12EVRCC

Wording Since completing your high school requirements, have you attended a community 

college?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EVRCC

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CMPDGN

Wording [If N12NOATT = 1] Earlier you indicated that you are no longer attending [Y_NPSCHL] 

because you completed the requirements for your [T_DEGREN] at [Y_NPSCHL]. Is that 

correct? [else] Have you completed all the requirements for your [T_DEGREN] at 

[Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CMPDGN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DGN

Wording In what month and year were you awarded your [T_DEGREN] from [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DGNMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12DGNYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2011 2011

2012 2012

Item Name N12DGNNO
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Wording Have not yet been awarded [T_DEGREN]

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12UGYR

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Based on the number of credits you've already earned, what is your 

year or level at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] Based on the number of credits you earned, what 

was your year or level when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school 

year?"

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGYR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 First year or freshman

2 Second year or sophomore

3 Third year or junior

4 Fourth year or senior

5 Fifth year or higher undergraduate

6 Unclassified undergraduate

7 Graduate student taking undergraduate 

classes

Question Name N12CLKNUM

Wording How many months, or hours of instruction, have you already completed at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CLKNUM

Wording |(enter number of months or hours of instruction)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CLKTYP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 month(s)

2 hour(s) of instruction

Question Name N12REASON

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Which of these reasons best describes why you are enrolled in classes 

at [Y_NPSCHL]? [Else]: Which of these reasons best describes why you were last 

enrolled in classes at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REASON

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 To prepare to earn a degree later

2 To prepare for a job certification or license

3 To gain job or occupational skills

4 To take courses solely for recreation, selfimprovement, or personal interest

Question Name N12GRYR

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What year of your [T_DEGREN] are you working on at [Y_NPSCHL]? 

[else] What year of your [T_DEGREN] were you working on when you last attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRYR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

8 First year

9 Second year

10 Third year

11 Fourth year

12 Fifth year

13 Sixth year or higher

Question Name N12EXPN

Wording In what month and year do you expect to complete the requirements for your 
12/19/11

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[T_DEGREN]? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXNMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12EXNYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one2012 2012

2013 2013

2014 2014

2015 2015

2016 2016

2017 2017

2018 2018

2019 2019

2020 2020

2021 2021

2022 After 2021

Item Name N12EXPN

Wording Will not finish the [T_DEGREN]

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12EXPDK

Wording Don't know

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12EXNCONF

Wording [If N12EXPDK=1] or [if N12EXNYY=missing and N12EXPN ne 1 and N12EXPDK ne 1] On 

a scale from 0-10, how likely is it you will finish your [T_DEGREN] within five years from 

today? [else if N12EXNMM gt 0 and N12EXNYY gt 0 and lt 2022] On a scale from 0-10, 

how likely is it you will finish your [T_DEGREN] by [N12EXNMM] [N12EXNYY]? [else] On 

a scale from 0-10, how likely is it you will finish your [T_DEGREN] by [T_EXNYY]? 

[Instructions for all If TIO mode]: A "0" means "no chance at all" and a "10" means 

"absolutely certain."

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question Name N12EXNCONF2

Wording [If N12EXNMM gt 0 and N12EXNYY gt 0 and lt 2022] On a scale from 0-10, how likely is 

it you will finish your [T_DEGREN], even if it is not by [N12EXNMM] [N12EXNYY]? [else 

if N12EXNYY gt 0 and lt 2022] On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it you will finish your 

[T_DEGREN], even if it is not by [T_EXNYY]? [else] On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it 

you will finish your [T_DEGREN]? [Instructions for all If TIO mode]: (A "0" means "no 

chance at all" and a "10" means "absolutely certain.")

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question Name N12ENRNEXT
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Wording [If Y_CALSYS=1 and T_CURENR=1] On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it you will still be 

enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] four months from today? [Else if Y_CALSYS=1] On a scale 

from 0-10, how likely is it you will be enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] four months from 

today? [else if T_CURENR=1] On a scale from 0-10, how likely is it you will still be 

enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] next term or semester? [else] On a scale from 0-10, how 

likely is it you will be enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] next term or semester? [Instructions 

for all If TIO mode]: (A "0" means "no chance at all" and a "10" means "absolutely 

certain.")

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question Name N12EXPBA

Wording Do you plan to continue on to a bachelor's degree program within five years from now?

(A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXPBA

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DOB

Wording So that we can customize your interview, in what month and year were you born?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DOBMM

Wording Month:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 January

2 February

3 March

4 April

5 May

6 June

7 July

8 August

9 September

10 October

11 November

12 December

Item Name N12DOBYY

Wording Year:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1996 1996

1995 1995

1994 1994

1993 1993

1992 1992

1991 1991

1990 1990

1989 1989

1988 1988

1987 1987

1986 1986

1985 1985

1984 1984

1983 1983

1982 1982

1981 1981
12/19/11

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1980 1980

1979 1979

1978 1978

1977 1977

1976 1976

1975 1975

1974 1974

1973 1973

1972 1972

1971 1971

1970 1970

1969 1969

1968 1968

1967 1967

1966 1966

1965 1965

1964 1964

1963 1963

1962 1962

1961 1961

1960 1960

1959 1959

1958 1958

1957 1957

1956 1956

1955 1955

1954 1954

1953 1953

1952 1952

1951 1951

1950 1950

1949 1949

1948 1948

1947 1947

1946 1946

1945 1945

1944 1944

1943 1943

1942 1942

1941 1941

1940 1940

1939 1939

1938 1938

1937 1937

1936 1936

1935 1935

1934 1934

1933 1933

1932 1932

1931 1931

1930 1930

1929 1929

1928 1928

1927 1927

1926 1926

1925 1925

1924 1924

1923 1923

1922 1922

1921 1921

1920 1920

Question Name N12LT30

Wording What is your age range? Are you...
12/19/11

Page 68

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12LT30

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

4 Under 18

1 18-23

2 24-29

3 30 or older

Question Name N12MINOK

Wording Have you already turned 18?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MINOK

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12MINOR

Wording [If Y_MINOR = 2] According to our information, you are under the age of 18. We will 

need to contact a parent or guardian to obtain consent before we can conduct an 

interview with you. Please provide the following information. [else] According to the 

information you just provided, you are under the age of 18. We will need to contact a 

parent or guardian to obtain consent before we can conduct an interview with you. 

Please provide the following information.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MINEM

Wording Email:

Item Name N12MINFN

Wording Parent (or guardian) first name

Item Name N12MINLN

Wording Parent (or guardian) last name

Item Name N12MINAD

Wording Address:

Item Name N12MINCY

Wording City

Item Name N12MINZP

Wording Zip code

Item Name N12MINST

Wording State

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut

DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana

IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland
12/19/11

Page 69

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa

FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Item Name N12MINAD2

Wording

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFAD

Wording Foreign Address:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFCY

Wording Foreign City:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFS

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFZ

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFC

Wording Foreign Country:

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12MINFOR

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12MARR

Wording [If Y_DOB ne blank] So that we can customize your interview, please answer the 

following questions. What is your current marital status? [else] What is your current 

marital status?
12/19/11

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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MARR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Single, never married

2 Married

6 Living with partner

3 Separated

4 Divorced

5 Widowed

Question Name N12GENDR

Wording Are you male or female?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GENDR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Male

2 Female

Education Experiences

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12HSTYP

Wording Was the last high school you attended public or private?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HSTYP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Public

2 Private

3 Last attended a foreign high school

4 Home schooled

Question Name N12HSCDR

Wording [If WEB mode] What is the name of the high school? [Else] What is the name of the 

high school and in what city and state is it located?

Item Spec Name Value

High school 

coder

Data Sources: CCD: Common Core of Data and PSS: Private School University Survey 

(NCES)

Item Name N12HSTYPE

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 A public school operated by a school/county 

district

2 A private Catholic school

3 A private school--other religious affiliation

4 A private school--no religious affiliation

5 A public school operated by state/federal 

agency (ex: BIA, DOD, prison school)

6 Other (charter school, hospital school)

Item Name N12HSGRDL

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -SelectOne8 Eighth grade
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9 Ninth grade

10 Tenth grade

11 Eleventh grade

12 Twelfth grade

Item Name N12HSGRDH

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -SelectOne8 Eighth grade

9 Ninth grade

10 Tenth grade

11 Eleventh grade

12 Twelfth grade

Question Name N12HSGPES

Wording Which of the following would you say best describes your high school grades overall 

(unweighted)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HSGPES

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Mostly A's

2 A's and B's

3 Mostly B's

4 B's and C's

5 Mostly C's

6 C's and D's

7 Mostly D's or below

8 Don't know

Question Name N12MATHHT

Wording What was the highest math course you took in high school?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MATHHT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Algebra 1 or Geometry

2 Algebra 2

3 Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus

4 Calculus

5 Math beyond calculus

6 None of these

Question Name N12APIBCOLL

Wording While in high school, did you take any...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12AP

Wording Advanced Placement (AP) courses?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12IB

Wording International Baccalaureate (IB) courses?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12COLL

Wording College-level courses, not including AP or IB, for which you earned college credit?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ACTSAT

Wording Did you take...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12SAT
12/19/11

Page 72

Wording The SAT?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12ACT

Wording The ACT?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name SUPINSTRUCT

Wording Please use a number from 1 to 5 to answer the next few questions. One means "strongly 

disagree" and five means "strongly agree."

Item

Question Name N12PARSUPP

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: My parents (or guardians) encourage me to stay in college. [Else]: 

My parents (or guardians) encouraged me to stay in college.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PARSUPP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12PARDED

Wording

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PARDED

Wording Parents or guardians are deceased

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12SPPSUPP

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: My spouse encourages me to stay in college. [Else]: My spouse 

encouraged me to stay in college.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12SPPSUPP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12FSSUPP

Wording [If T_AGE gt 30] My friends from [Y_NPSCHL] [if T_CURENR=1: encourage/else: 

encouraged] me to stay in college. (When thinking about your friends, do not include 

family members or other relatives in your answer.)" [else] My friends from [Y_NPSCHL] 

[if T_CURENR=1 encourage/else: encouraged] me to stay in college.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FSSUPP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12FHSUPP

Wording If T_AGE gt 30] My friends from home [if T_CURENR=1: encourage/else: encouraged] 
12/19/11

Page 73

me to stay in college. (When thinking about your friends, do not include family members 

or other relatives in your answer.) [Else] My friends from home [if T_CURENR=1: 

encourage/else: encouraged] me to stay in college.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FHSUPP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name SUPPORTEND

Wording I am now finished asking you this set of questions that use a 1-5 scale. There will be 

others in the survey, but I will let you know when they come up.

Item

Question Name N12DBLMAJ

Wording [If N12CMPDGN=1 and T_HIGHEST in (2, 3)] Did you declare a major or field of study 

when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else if 

N12CMPDGN=1] Did you declare a major when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 

2011-2012 school year? [If T_CURENR=1 and T_HIGHEST in (2, 3)] Have you declared 

a major or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL]? [If T_CURENR=1] Have you declared a major 

at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else if T_CURENR=0 and T_HIGHEST in (2, 3)] Had you already 

declared a major or field of study when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 

school year? [else] Had you already declared a major when you last attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DBLMAJ

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [If T_CURENR=1 and T_HIGHEST in (2, 3)]: 

Yes, I have declared a major or field of study. 

[else if T_CURENR] Yes, I have declared a 

major. [Else if T_CURENR=0 and T_HIGHEST 

in (2, 3)]: Yes, I had declared a major or field of 

study. [Else] Yes, I had declared a major.

2 Yes, I [have/had] declared a double major

3 No

Question Name N12DECIDEMAJ

Wording Have you decided what your major will be?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DECIDEMAJ

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CLSTY

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What is the primary field or subject you have been studying during 

the 2011-2012 school year? [else] What was the primary field or subject you were 

studying when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CLSTY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

8 Arts and humanities

1 Business/marketing

10 Career and technical education

9 Communications

5 Computer and information sciences
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3 Education/teaching

4 Engineering and engineering technology

12 General education

2 Healthcare

7 Natural sciences and mathematics

6 Social sciences

11 University transfer

13 Other

Question Name N12MAJ1

Wording [If T_CURENR=1 and N12DBLMAJ=2] What is your first major or field of study at 

[Y_NPSCHL]? Since you have a double-major, please indicate only one major here. You 

will have an opportunity next to provide your other major. [else If T_CURENR=1] What 

is your [{if N12DBLMAJ=3} intended]major or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL]? [If 

N12DBLMAJ=3]:(If you intend to double-major, tell [if TIO: me/else: us] only about the 

major most closely related to the job you hope to have after college.) [else If 

T_CURENR=0 and N12DBLMAJ=2] What was your first major or field of study when you 

last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year? Since you had a double-major, 

please indicate only one major here. You will have an opportunity next to provide your 

other major. [else] What was your [{if N12DBLMAJ=3} intended] major or field of study 

when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year? [If N12DBLMAJ=3] 

(If you intended to double-major, tell [if TIO: me/else: us] only about the major most 

closely related to the job you hope to have after college.)

Item Spec Name Value

Major (“CIP”) Coder: Data Source: CIP: Classification of Instructional Programs (NCES)

Question Name N12MAJ2

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What is your second major or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] 

What was your second major or field of study when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in 

the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Major (“CIP”) Coder: Data Source: CIP: Classification of Instructional Programs (NCES)

Question Name N12MJCHGNUM

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] How many times have you formally changed your major at 

[Y_NPSCHL]? [else] How many times did you formally change your major at 

[Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12MJCHGNUM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 None

1 One

2 More than one

Question Name N12OMJ1A

Wording What was your original declared major at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Major (“CIP”) Coder: Data Source: CIP: Classification of Instructional Programs (NCES)

Question Name N12PREACDEFF

Wording [if Web mode] For the next few questions, please tell us how much you agree with each 

statement by providing a number from 1 to 5, with 1 being "strongly disagree" and 5 

being "strongly agree." Before I attended [Y_NPSCHL], I was confident I had the ability 

to succeed there as a student. [Else]: For the next few questions, please tell me how 

much you agree with each statement by providing a number from 1 to 5, with 1 being 

"strongly disagree" and 5 being "strongly agree." Before I attended [Y_NPSCHL], I was 

confident I had the ability to succeed there as a student.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PREACDEFF

Wording

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 75

Option 1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12CURACDEFF

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] After having been at [Y_NPSCHL] for a while, I am confident that I 

have the ability to succeed there as a student. [else] After having been at [Y_NPSCHL] 

for a while, I was confident that I had the ability to succeed there as a student.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CURACDEFF

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12FACULTY

Wording [T_CURENR=1]: My interactions with my teachers at [Y_NPSCHL] are more positive than 

negative. [else]: My interactions with my teachers at [Y_NPSCHL] were more positive 

than negative.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FACULTY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12ACDSATIS

Wording [T_CURENR=1]: I’m satisfied with my studies at [Y_NPSCHL]. [else]: I was satisfied with 

my studies at [Y_NPSCHL].

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ACDSATIS

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12KNOWCLAS

Wording I know the requirements needed to complete my [T_DEGREN] program at [Y_NPSCHL].

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12KNOWCLAS

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name SCLENDSET

Wording I am now finished asking you this set of questions that use a 1-5 scale. There will be 

others in the survey, but I will let you know when they come up.

Item

Question Name N12GPATYP
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Page 76

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] 

Is your grade point average (GPA) at [Y_NPSCHL] measured on a 4.00 scale? 

[else] 

Was your grade point average (GPA) at [Y_NPSCHL] measured on a 4.00 scale?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GPATYP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

2 [If T_CURENR=1] No, it is measured on 

another grading scale (for example, 

percentages) [else] No, it was measured on 

another grading scale (for example, 

percentages)

3 [If T_CURENR=1] No, the school does not 

award grades [Else] No, the school did not 

award grades

4 [If T_CURENR=1] No, it is pass/fail [Else] No, it 

was pass/fail

5 Don't know

Question Name N12GPA

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] What is your cumulative GPA in all classes at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] 

What was your cumulative GPA in all classes at [Y_NPSCHL] through the end of your 

most recent term there?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GPA

Wording Range: 0.00 to 4.00:

Item Name N12GPANO

Wording Not applicable, have not yet earned GPA

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GPAEST

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Overall, which best describes your grades at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] 

Overall, which best describes your grades at [Y_NPSCHL] when you last attended there 

in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GPAEST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Mostly A's

2 A's and B's

3 Mostly B's

4 B's and C's

5 Mostly C's

6 C's and D's

7 Mostly D's or below

8 Don't know my grades

9 I would describe my grades differently than 

what is listed here

Question Name N12REMEVER

Wording Since you completed high school [if T_B4JULY=0: and through June 30, 2012, did you 

take/else: have you taken] any remedial or developmental courses to improve your basic 

skills in English, math, reading, or writing? (Remedial or developmental courses are used 

to strengthen your skills before you take your first college-level course in math, reading, 

or other subjects. Students are usually assigned to these courses on the basis of a 

placement test taken before the school year begins. Often, these courses do not count 

for credit toward graduation.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REMEVER

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label
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Page 77

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12REMSY

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Have you taken any remedial or developmental courses during the 

2011-2012 school year? (If you are currently taking a remedial or developmental course, 

please answer "yes." [if N12BPSELG=1]: Remedial or developmental courses are used to 

strengthen your skills before you take your first college-level course in math, reading, or 

other subjects. Students are usually assigned to these courses on the basis of a 

placement test taken before the school year begins. Often, these courses do not count 

for credit toward graduation.) [else]: Did you take any remedial or developmental 

courses during the 2011-2012 school year? [If N12BPSELG=1]: (Remedial or 

developmental courses are used to strengthen your skills before you take your first 

college-level course in math, reading, or other subjects. Students are usually assigned to 

these courses on the basis of a placement test taken before the school year begins. 

Often, these courses do not count for credit toward graduation.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REMSY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12REMTYPNUM

Wording In the 2011-2012 school year, how many times did you take remedial or developmental 

courses in each of the following subjects ... [If N12RMCRD=1:] (Remedial or 

developmental courses are used to strengthen your skills before you take your first 

college-level course in math, reading, or other subjects. Students are usually assigned to 

these courses on the basis of a placement test taken before the school year begins. 

Often, these courses do not count for credit toward graduation.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REMENGL

Wording English?

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 One time

2 Two times

3 Three or more times

Item Name N12REMMATH

Wording Math?

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 One time

2 Two times

3 Three or more times

Item Name N12REMREAD

Wording Reading?

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 One time

2 Two times

3 Three or more times

Item Name N12REMWRITE

Wording Writing?

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 One time

2 Two times

3 Three or more times

Question Name N12ALTGATE

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Have any of the classes you have taken at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 
12/19/11

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2011-2012 school year been taught only online, at night, or on the weekend (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012)? [else] Were any of the classes you were taking at [Y_NPSCHL] 

during the 2011-2012 school year taught only online, at night, or on the weekend (July 

1, 2011-June 30, 2012)? [All get the following instruction]: (Night courses start after 

6:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday nights. Weekend courses are courses that start 

after 6:00 p.m. on Friday or take place any time on Saturday or Sunday.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALTGATE

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ALTCRS

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Have all, some, or none of the classes you have taken at [Y_NPSCHL] 

during the 2011-2012 school year been taught... [else] Were all, some, or none of the 

classes you took at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year taught...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ALTONLINE

Wording Only online

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Some

3 None

Item Name N12ALTNIGHT

Wording At night, not online (starting after 6:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Some

3 None

Item Name N12ALTWKND

Wording On the weekend, not online (starting after 6:00 p.m. Friday or any time Saturday or Sunday)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Some

3 None

Question Name N12ONLINEPGM

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: Is your entire [T_DEGREN] program at [Y_NPSCHL] online? [Else]: 

When you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year, was your entire 

[T_DEGREN] program online?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ONLINEPGM

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ONLINE

Wording [If N12ONLINEPGM=1]: If an online degree program was not available would you still 

have attended college in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else]: Would you still have 

attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year if online classes had not been 

available? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ONLINE

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ATNIGHT

Wording Would you still have attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year if night classes 

had not been available?
12/19/11

Page 79

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ATNIGHT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ONWKND

Wording Would you still have attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year if weekend

classes had not been available?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ONWKND

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12SCALEINT

Wording For the next few questions, please tell [if web: us/if TIO: me] how much you agree with 

each statement by providing a number from 1 to 5, with 1 being "strongly disagree" and 

5 being "strongly agree."

Item

Question Name N12PEERINT

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: My interactions with other [Y_NPSCHL] students are more positive 

than negative. [else]: My interactions with other [Y_NPSCHL] students were more 

positive than negative.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PEERINT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12SENSBELNG

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: I feel that I am a part of [Y_NPSCHL]. [else]: I felt that I was a part 

of [Y_NPSCHL].

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12SENSBELNG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name N12SOCSATIS

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: I’m satisfied with my social experience at [Y_NPSCHL]. [else]: I was 

satisfied with my social experience at [Y_NPSCHL].

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12SOCSATIS

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 1 (Strongly disagree)

2 2 (Somewhat disagree)

3 3 (Neither disagree nor agree)

4 4 (Somewhat agree)

5 5 (Strongly agree)

Question Name SCLLASTSET

Wording I am now finished asking you all questions in the survey that use a 1 to 5 scale.
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Item

Question Name N12SRVUSE

Wording Which of the following school services have you used in the 2011-2012 school year? 

(Visiting, emailing, or in any way communicating with and receiving information or help 

from a school office or department that offers a particular service counts as use of that 

service. Do not include use of these services while in high school.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINAIDUSE

Wording Financial aid counseling or advice

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ACSPUSE

Wording Academic support services (for example, tutoring or writing centers)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12ACADUSE

Wording Academic advising (for example, guidance with planning for courses)

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12CPPUSE

Wording Career planning or job placement services

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12HLTHUSE

Wording Student health services, including personal counseling services

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12NOSRV

Wording Did not use any services

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12SRVIMPT

Wording [If only one service chosen on N12SRVUSE] How important was this service in your 

decision to stay in school? [else] How important was each of these services in your 

decision to stay in school?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FINAIDIMP

Wording Financial aid counseling or advice

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12ACSIMP

Wording Academic support services

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12ACADIMP

Wording Academic advising

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12CPPIMP

Wording Career planning or job placement services

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Item Name N12HLTHIMP

Wording Student health services (including personal counseling services)

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 81

Option 1 Not at all important

2 Somewhat important

3 Important

4 Very important

Question Name N12EXPEVR

Wording What is the highest level of education you ever expect to complete at any school? 

(Provide your best guess even if you are not sure.) 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXPEVR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Undergraduate level courses, no undergraduate 

degree or certificate expected

2 Undergraduate certificate or diploma (usually 

less than 2 years), including certificates leading 

to a license (example: cosmetology)

3 Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

4 Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

5 Graduate level courses, no graduate degree or 

certificate expected

6 Post-baccalaureate certificate

7 Master’s degree

8 Post-master's certificate

9 Doctoral degree, research/scholarship 

(including: PhD, EdD, etc.)

10 Professional doctoral degree (including: 

chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, etc.)

Question Name N12PRFDOCTYP

Wording What specific degree do you expect to complete?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRFDOCTYP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Chiropractic (DC/DCM)

2 Dentistry (DDS/DMD)

3 Law (JD/LLB)

4 Medicine (MD) or osteopathic medicine (DO)

5 Ministry or divinity 

(MDiv/DMin/MHL/BD/ordination)

6 Optometry (OD)

7 Pharmacy (PharmD)

8 Podiatry (DPM/DP/PodD)

9 Veterinary medicine (DVM)

10 Other degree not listed

Question Name N12OCCINTRO

Wording [IF N12CMPDGN=1 and N12EXPEVR lt = T_DEGREE]: For the next few questions, think 

back to when you first started your [T_DEGREN]. [else if N12CMPDGN=1 and 

N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXPEVR=10]: For the next few questions, assume 

you that you continue on in school and complete your [T_PRFDOC] degree. [else if 

N12CMPDGN=1 and N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE]: For the next few questions, assume 

that you continue on in school and complete your [T_EXPEVR]. [else if N12EXPN=1 and 

N12EXPEVR le T_DEGREE]: Earlier, you told us you don't plan on finishing your 

[T_DEGREN]. For the next few questions, imagine you don't finish your [T_DEGREN], 

and that it is five years from now. [else if N12EXPN=1 and N12EXPEVR =10]: Earlier, 

you told us you don't plan on finishing your [T_DEGREN], but that, in the future, you 

expect to complete your [T_PRFDOC] degree. For the next few questions, imagine you 

complete your [T_PRFDOC] degree. [else if N12EXPN=1 and N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE]: 

Earlier, you told us you don't plan on finishing your [T_DEGREN], but that, in the future, 

you expect to complete your [T_EXPEVR]. For the next few questions, imagine you 
12/19/11

Page 82

complete your [T_EXPEVR]. [else if N12EXPEVR=T_DEGREE and N12DBLMAJ in (1, 3) 

and N12MAJ1 ne missing]: For the next few questions, assume you complete your 

[T_DEGREN] in [N12MAJ1]. [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXPEVR=10 and 

N12DBLMAJ in (1, 3) and N12MAJ1 ne missing]: For the next few questions, assume you 

complete your [T_DEGREN] in [N12MAJ1] and that you continue on in school and 

complete your [T_PRFDOC] degree. [else if N12EXPEVR=T_DEGREE] For the next few 

questions, assume you complete your [T_DEGREN] in your field of study. [else if 

N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12DBLMAJ in (1, 3) and N12MAJ1 ne missing]: For the 

next few questions, assume you complete your [T_DEGREN] in [N12MAJ1] and that you 

continue on in school and complete your [T_EXPEVR]. [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE 

and N12EXPEVR=10]: For the next few questions, assume you complete your 

[T_DEGREN] in your field of study and that you continue on in school and complete your 

[T_PRFDOC] degree. [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE]: For the next few questions, 

assume you complete your [T_DEGREN] in your field of study and that you continue on 

in school and complete your [T_EXPEVR]. [Else]: For the next few questions assume you 

complete your [T_DEGREN] in your field of study. If you plan on completing another 

degree after your [T_DEGREN], assume you continue on in school and complete that 

degree too.

Item

Question Name N12EXOCC

Wording [If N12CMPDGN=1 and N12EXPEVR lt =T_DEGREE] When you started your [T_DEGREN] 

program, what were the title and duties of the job you intended to hold once you 

finished your education? [else if N12EXPN=1 and N12EXPEVR le T_DEGREE] What do 

you think the job title and duties of the occupation you intend to hold will be five years 

from now? [else if N12EXPEVR=T_DEGREE and N12DBLMAJ in (1, 3) and N12MAJ1 ne 

missing] What do you think the job title and duties of the occupation you intend to hold 

will be after having completed your [T_DEGREN] in [N12MAJ1]? [else if 

N12EXPEVR=T_DEGREE] What do you think the job title and duties of the occupation 

you intend to hold will be after having completed your [T_DEGREN] in your field of 

study? [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXPEVR=10]: What do you think the 

job title and duties of the occupation you intend to hold will be after having completed 

your [T_PRFDOC] degree? [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE] What do you think the job 

title and duties of the occupation you intend to hold will be after having completed your 

[T_EXPEVR]? [else] What do you think the job title and duties of the occupation you 

intend to hold will be after having completed your education?

Item Spec Name Value

Occupation 

Coder

Data Source: O*Net: Occupational Information Network (U.S. Department of Labor)

Question Name N12OCCCOM

Wording [IF N12CMPDGN=1 and N12EXPEVR lt =T_DEGREE and N12EXJBTL ne missing]: On a 

scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that you will hold a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job? 

[else If N12EXPN=1 and N12EXPEVR le T_DEGREE]: On a scale from 0-10, how likely do 

you think it is that, five years from now you will you will hold your intended occupation? 

[If N12EXPEVR=T_DEGREE and N12EXJBTL ne missing] On a scale from 0-10, how likely 

do you think it is that, after having completed your [T_DEGREN], you will hold a(n) 

[N12EXJBTL] job? [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXPEVR=10 and 

N12EXJBTL ne missing]: On a scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that, after 

having completed your [T_PRFDOC] degree, you will hold a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job? [else if 

N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXPEVR=10]: On a scale from 0-10, how likely do 

you think it is that, after having completed your [T_PRFDOC] degree, you will hold your 

intended occupation? [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE and N12EXJBTL ne missing]: On 

a scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that, after having completed your 

[T_EXPEVR], you will hold a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job? [else if N12EXPEVR gt T_DEGREE]: On 

a scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that, after having completed your 
12/19/11

Page 83

[T_EXPEVR], you will hold your intended occupation? [else if N12EXJBTL ne missing]: 

On a scale from 0-10, how likely do you think it is that, after having completed your 

education, you will hold a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job? [else] On a scale from 0-10, how likely 

do you think it is that, after having completed your education, you will hold your 

intended occupation?

Item Spec Name Value

Slider 0-10

Question Name N12INTENDJOB

Wording

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12INTENDJOB

Wording Already hold intended job

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12FUTRWAGES

Wording [If N12INTENDJOB=1 and N12EXJBTL ne missing] or [if N12CMPDGN=1 and N12EXJBTL 

ne missing]: [If TIO: I /else: We] have some questions about the range of salary you 

expected to make once you began working in a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job. What was... [else if 

(N12INTENDJOB=1 and N12EXJBTL=missing) or (N12CMPDGN=1 and 

N12EXJBTL=missing)]: [If TIO: I/else: We] have some questions about the range of 

salary you expected to make once you finished your education. What was... [else if 

N12EXJBTL ne missing]: [If TIO: I /else: We] have some questions about the range of 

salary you expect to make once you begin working in a(n) [N12EXJBTL] job. What is... 

[else] [If TIO: I/else: We] have some questions about the range of salary you expect to 

make once you finish your education. What is...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXPWAGE

Wording 1. Your expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12HIWAGE

Wording 2. Your highest expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12LOWAGE

Wording 3. Your lowest expected yearly salary: $|.00 per year

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12EDBENEFTS

Wording Salary may be only one part of why people choose a job. Compared to the salary, how 

important is each of the following to you?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HLPOTH

Wording Helping others as part of your job

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12EXPFLD

Wording Being seen as an expert in your field

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12WRKTSKS

Wording Making your own decisions about how to get your work done

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12LEISTIME

Wording Balancing work and leisure time

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary
12/19/11

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2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Item Name N12FAMTIM

Wording Balancing work and family

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less important than salary

2 As important as salary

3 More important than salary

Financial Aid

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12OTGRNTAID

Wording For the 2011-2012 school year, did you receive any...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12VETBEN

Wording Veteran's education benefits?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12EMPGRNT

Wording [If T_AGE lt 24]: Grants or scholarships from your employer or from your parents' or 

guardians' employer? [Else] Grants or scholarships from your employer?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12PRVGRNT

Wording Grants or scholarships from a private organization such as a church, PTA, 

fraternity/sorority, or foundation?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12OTGRNTAMT

Wording What was the total amount you received for the 2011-2012 school year in...

(If you are unsure of the amounts, please provide your best guess.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12VETBENAMT

Wording Veteran's education benefits $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12EMPGRTAMT

Wording Employer grants or scholarships $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12PRVGRTAMT

Wording Private organization grants or scholarships $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12RCVLN

Wording Did you take out any student loans for the 2011-2012 school year?

By student loans, we mean any money borrowed for school that you will have to pay 

back to a federal or state government, to a private financial institution, or to 

[Y_NPSCHL]. Do not include parent PLUS loans, grants or scholarships, or any money 

borrowed from family or friends.
12/19/11

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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12RCVLN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12APPAID

Wording Did you apply for financial aid for the 2011-2012 school year? 

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12APPAID

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NOAPP

Wording Please indicate whether the following were reasons you did not apply for financial aid. 

Was it because you...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NODEBT

Wording Did not want to take on debt

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12NONEED

Wording Could afford to go to school without financial aid

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12THKEL

Wording Thought you would be ineligible

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12HSAPP

Wording Did not have enough information about how to apply for financial aid

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12FMCON

Wording Thought the application forms were too much work or too time-consuming

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12APOTH

Wording Other reason not listed

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12FEDLN

Wording Did you take out any federal loans, such as a Stafford Loan, for the 2011-2012 school 

year? 

(Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. Do not include parent PLUS 

Loans.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FEDLN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PRVLN

Wording Did you take out any private or alternative loans from a financial institution or state 
12/19/11

Page 86

for the 2011-2012 school year? Some examples of commonly used private loans include:

• Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan

• Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan

• Chase Select Loan

• Loans from credit unions

• Loans from states such as NYHELPs

Private loans are loans that usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates 

based on credit history.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRVLN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PRVAMT

Wording How much did you borrow in private or alternative loans for the 2011-2012 school year? 

Do not include any money borrowed in federal loans or any money borrowed from family 

or friends in your answer. 

(If you are unsure of the amount of your private loans, please provide your best guess.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRVAMT

Wording $|.00

Question Name N12PRVEST

Wording For the 2011-2012 school year, please indicate the range for how much you borrowed in 

alternative or private loans. Would you say it was...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12PRVEST

Wording [If Y_DEP = 1] $0 Less than $3,000 $3,000-$5,999 $6,000-$8,999 $9,000-$11,999 

$12,000-$14,999 $15,000-$17,999 $18,000-$20,999 $21,000-$22,999 $23,000 or more 

Don't Know [else if Y_DEP = 2 and T_STAT in (1 3)] $0 Less than $6,000 $6,000-$11,999 

$12,000-$17,999 $18,000-$12,999 $24,000-$29,999 $30,000-$35,999 $36,000-$41,999 

$42,000-$45,999 $46,000 or more Don't Know [else] (T_STAT in (2 4)) $0 Less than 

$15,000 $15,000-$29,999 $30,000-$44,999 $45,000-$59,999 $60,000-$74,999 $75,000-

$89,999 $90,000-$104,999 $105,000-$119,999 $120,000-$138,499 $138,500 or more 

Don't Know

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $3,000

2 $3,000 - $5,999

3 $6,000 - $8,999

4 $9,000 - $11,999

5 $12,000 - $14,999

6 $15,000 - $17,999

7 $18,000 or more

8 Don't know

Question Name N12UGLNNPSYR

Wording What is the total amount of money you borrowed in student loans for the 2011-2012 

school year only (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)? 

Please include all federal, private, state, and school loans. Do not include parent PLUS 

loans, grants or scholarships, or any money borrowed from family or friends in your 

answer.

(If you are unsure of the amount, please provide your best guess.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGLNNPSYR
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Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12UGLNYEST

Wording

The NPSAS interview is designed to help us better understand how students and their 

families pay for college expenses through savings, financial aid, and work. Please 

consider answering this important question.

For the 2011-2012 school year only (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), would you say that 

you borrowed...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGLNYEST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 Less than $3,500

2 $3,500 - $5,499

3 $5,500 - $7,499

4 $7,500 - $9,499

5 $9,500 - $12,499

6 $12,500 - $14,999

7 $15,000 or more

8 Don't know

Question Name N12GRLNNPSYR

Wording What is the total amount of money you borrowed in student loans for your graduate 

education for the 2011-2012 school year only (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)? 

Please include all federal, private, state, and school loans. Do not include any grants or 

scholarships or any money borrowed from family or friends in your answer.

(If you are unsure of the amount, please provide your best guess.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRLNNPSYR

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GRLNYEST

Wording

The NPSAS interview is designed to help us better understand how students and their 

families pay for college expenses through savings, financial aid, and work. Please 

consider answering this important question.

For your graduate education for the 2011-2012 school year only (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), would you say that you borrowed...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRLNYEST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 Less than $8,500

2 $8,500 - $14,999

3 $15,000 - $20,499

4 $20,500 - $29,999

5 $30,000 - $39,999

6 $40,000 - $49,999

7 $50,000 or more
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8 Don't know

Question Name N12REFUND1

Wording [If N12RCVLN=0] After paying for your tuition and fees, did you or will you receive a 

refund of any scholarships or grants from [Y_NPSCHL]? [Else]: After paying for your 

tuition and fees, did you or will you receive a refund of any scholarships, grants, or loans 

from [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REFUND1

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12REFUND2

Wording Did you or will you...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REFUND2

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Ask your school to deposit the refund directly 

to your bank or credit union account

2 Cash or deposit the refund check at a bank or 

credit union yourself

3 Cash the refund check somewhere other than 

a bank or credit union (example: a checkcashing business, grocery or convenience 

store)

4 Receive the refund on a prepaid debit card

5 Receive the refund through your student ID 

card

6 Do something else not listed with the refund

Question Name N12OUTST

Wording [If TCURENR = 1] At [Y_NPSCHL], are you charged for out-of-state or out-of-district 

tuition or fees? [else] At [Y_NPSCHL], were you charged for out-of-state or out-ofdistrict tuition or fees?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12OUTST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12UGLN

Wording [If Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, 

how much will you have borrowed in student loans for your entire college or vocational 

education? [Else if If Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_B4JULY=0] Through the end of the 2011-

2012 school year, how much did you borrow in student loans for your entire college or 

vocational education? [Else if T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school 

year, how much will you have borrowed in student loans for your entire undergraduate 

education? [Else] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, how much did you 

borrow in student loans for your entire undergraduate education? [all get the following 

instruction]: Please include all federal, private, state, and school loans. Do not include 

Parent PLUS loans, grants or scholarships, or any money borrowed from family or 

friends. (If you are unsure of the amount, please provide your best guess. If you have 

never taken out any student loans for your [If T_STAT in (2, 4): undergraduate] 

education enter "0" in the box.)
12/19/11

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Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGLN

Wording $|.00

Question Name N12ULNEST

Wording [All get the following instruction]: The NPSAS interview is designed to help us better 

understand how students and their families pay for college expenses through savings, 

financial aid, and work. Please consider answering this important question. [If Y_NPLEVL 

= 3 and T_B4JULY=1] For your entire college or vocational education through the end of 

the 2011-12 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), would you say that you will have 

borrowed... [Else If Y_NPLEVL = 3 and T_B4JULY=0] For your entire college or 

vocational education through the end of the 2011-12 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), would you say that you borrowed... [Else if T_B4JULY=1] For your entire 

undergraduate education through the end of the 2011-12 school year (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012), would you say that you will have borrowed... [Else] For your entire 

undergraduate education through the end of the 2011-12 school year (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012), would you say that you borrowed...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12ULNEST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 Less than $5,000

2 $5,000 - $9,999

3 $10,000 - $14,999

4 $15,000 - $24,999

5 $25,000 - $34,999

6 $35,000 - $49,999

7 $50,000 or more

8 Don't know

Question Name N12UGOWE

Wording [If N12BPSELG=1] Do you owe all, some, or none of the total student loans that you 

took out for the 2011-2012 school year? [Else]: Do you still owe all, some, or none of 

the total student loans that you took out for your undergraduate education?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UGOWE

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Some

0 None

Question Name N12GRLN

Wording [T_B4JULY=1]: Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, how much will you have 

borrowed in student loans for your entire graduate education? [Else]: Through the end 

of the 2011-2012 school year, how much did you borrow in student loans for your entire 

graduate education? [all get the following instruction]: Please include all federal, private, 

state, and school loans. Do not include any grants or scholarships or any money 

borrowed from family or friends in your answer. (If you are unsure of the amount, 

please provide your best guess. If you have never taken out any student loans for your 

graduate education, enter "0" in the box.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRLN

Wording $|.00

Question Name N12GLNEST

Wording [All get the following instruction]: The NPSAS interview is designed to help us better 

understand how students and their families pay for college expenses through savings, 

financial aid, and work. Please consider answering this important question. [If 

T_B4JULY=1] For your entire graduate education through the end of the 2011-12 school 
12/19/11

Page 90

year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), would you say that you will have borrowed... [Else] 

For your entire graduate education through the end of the 2011-12 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012), would you say that borrowed...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GLNEST

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 $0

1 Less than $15,000

2 $15,000 - $24,999

3 $25,000 - $39,999

4 $40,000 - $69,999

5 $70,000 - $99,999

6 $100,000 - $149,999

7 $150,000 or more

8 Don't know

Question Name N12GROWE

Wording Do you still owe all, some, or none of that amount (that you borrowed for your graduate 

education)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GROWE

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Some

0 None

Question Name N12DCLN

Wording When you were deciding how to pay for college for the 2011-2012 school year, were you 

offered any federal student loans that you chose not to accept?

(Please do not include loans offered by family or friends in your answer.)

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DCLN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DCMAXLN

Wording Of the federal student loans you received, did you choose to take the maximum 

amount of money offered by the government?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DCMAXLN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DCLRSN

Wording [If N12DCLN = 1 and N12DCMAXLN = 0] What was your main reason for choosing not 

to accept the [If N12RCVLN=1: additional] loan(s) and the full amount of money you 

were offered? [Else if N12DCLN = 0 and N12DCMAXLN = 0] What was your main reason 

for choosing not to accept the full amount of money you were offered? [Else] What was 

your main reason for choosing not to accept the [if N12RCVLN=1: additional] loan(s)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12DCLRSN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Your college costs were already covered with 

money from other sources

2 You were concerned that you might not be 
12/19/11

Page 91

able to repay the additional loan amount

3 You did not understand the terms of the loan, 

so you thought it safer to turn down the money

4 You did not like the terms of the loan (for 

example, the interest rate or having the 

interest grow while you are still attending 

school)

5 You did not want more debt

Question Name N12AVOIDLNS

Wording [If N12FEDLN=1 or N12PRVLN=1] As a way to avoid taking out additional student loans 

during the 2011-2012 school year, did you choose to... [else] As a way to avoid taking 

out student loans during the 2011-2012 school year, did you choose to...

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12FEWCLSES

Wording Take fewer classes at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12CSTLESS

Wording Attend a school that cost you less?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12WRKMORE

Wording Get a job or work more hours?

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12UNMETNEED

Wording [If N12RCVLN le 0]: Would you have borrowed money for the 2011-2012 school year if 

you could have? [Else]: Would you have borrowed more money for the 2011-2012 

school year if you could have?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12UNMETNEED

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12NEEDAMTUG

Wording [If N12RCVLN le 0]: How much money would you have borrowed for the 2011-2012 

school year if you could have? [Else]: How much more money would you have 

borrowed for the 2011-2012 school year if you could have?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12NEEDAMTUG

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $1,000

2 $1,000-$2,000

3 $2,001-$3,000

4 $3,001-$4,000

5 More than $4,000

6 $0

Question Name N12REPAY

Wording [If N12MARR = 2 and N12PARDED=1]: Do you expect that anyone other than your 

spouse, such as your other family members or friends, will help you repay your student 

loans? [Else if N12MARR = 2]: Do you expect that anyone other than your spouse, such 

as your parents or other family members or friends, will help you repay your student 

loans? [else if N12PARDED=1]: Do you expect that anyone, such as your family 

members or friends, will help you repay your student loans? [else]: Do you expect that 

anyone, such as your parents or other family members or friends, will help you repay 
12/19/11

Page 92

your student loans?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12REPAY

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12GRDASTJOB

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] In the 2011-2012 school year, have you had a graduate assistantship? 

[Else] In the 2011-2012 school year, did you have a graduate assistantship?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRDASTJOB

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12GRAST

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] In the 2011-2012 school year, have you had a graduate teaching 

assistantship, a graduate research assistantship, or another type of graduate 

assistantship? [Else] In the 2011-2012 school year, did you have a graduate teaching 

assistantship, a graduate research assistantship, or another type of graduate 

assistantship?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRTA

Wording Graduate teaching assistantship

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12GRRA

Wording Graduate research assistantship

Response Option Response Option Details

Item Name N12GROTH

Wording Other graduate assistantship

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12TUITN

Wording Did you receive a tuition waiver or any other form of full or partial tuition assistance 

through your graduate school job(s)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12TUITN

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12HINS

Wording As part of your graduate school job(s), did you receive health insurance?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12HINS

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

2 No, because did not want it or need it

3 No, because it was not offered

Question Name N12GRTAAMT

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] What is the amount of your graduate teaching assistantship for the 

2011-2012 school year? [Else] What was the amount of your graduate teaching 

assistantship for the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRTAAMT

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details
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Question Name N12GRRAAMT

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] What is the amount of your graduate research assistantship for the 

2011-2012 school year? [Else] What was the amount of your graduate research 

assistantship for the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRRAAMT

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GROTHAMT

Wording [If N12GRTA=1 or N12GRRA=1]: What [if T_CURENR=1: is/else: was] the amount of 

your other graduate assistantship for the 2011-2012 school year? Do not include the 

amount of any graduate assistantship you've already told [if WEB: us/else: me] about. 

[else] What [if T_CURENR=1: is/else: was] the amount of your graduate assistantship 

for the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GROTHAMT

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12CONTAC

Wording Which of the following activities [{If T_CURENR = 1} do {else} did] you perform as a 

teaching assistant during the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12CLSHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Assume {else} Assumed] teaching responsibility for one or more 

courses

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12DISHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Lead {else} Led] discussion sections for faculty -taught courses

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12LABHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Supervise {else} Supervised] lab sections for faculty-taught courses

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12GRAHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Assist {else} Assisted] faculty with grading or other instruction- related 

activities

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12MSGHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Assist {else} Assisted] faculty with answering student e-mail messages

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Item Name N12OFFHRS

Wording [{if T_CURENR=1} Hold {else} Held] office hours

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12GRFELL

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] In the 2011-2012 school year, have you had a graduate fellowship? 

[Else] In the 2011-2012 school year, did you have a graduate fellowship?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRFELL

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes
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Page 94

0 No

Question Name N12GRFELLAMT

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] What is the amount of your graduate fellowship for the 2011-2012 

school year? [Else] What was the amount of your graduate fellowship for the 2011-2012 

school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRFELLAMT

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GRTRNSHP

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] In the 2011-2012 school year, have you had a traineeship? [Else] In 

the 2011-2012 school year, did you have a traineeship?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRTRNSHP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12GRTRNAMT

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] What is the amount of your traineeship for the 2011-2012 school 

year? [Else] What was the amount of your traineeship for the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRTRNAMT

Wording $|.00

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GRHRS

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] During the 2011-2012 school year, how many hours, on average, do 

you work per week in your graduate school job(s)? [else] During the 2011-2012 school 

year, how many hours, on average, did you work per week in your graduate school 

job(s)?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRHRS

Wording | hours per week

Response Option Response Option Details

Question Name N12GRWEEK

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] For your graduate school job(s), would you say you have worked 

during all the weeks you attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year, most of 

them, half of them, or less than half? [else] For your graduate school job(s), would you 

say you worked during all the weeks you attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school 

year, most of them, half of them, or less than half?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12GRWEEK

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 All

2 Most

3 Half

4 Less than half

Question Name N12SCHJOB

Wording [if T_CURENR=1] During the 2011-2012 school year, have you had a work-study job at 

[Y_NPSCHL]? [else] During the 2011-2012 school year, did you have a work-study job at 

[Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12SCHJOB

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No
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Question Name N12WSMAJR

Wording Create ltext fill: {if N12DBLMAJ = 3 or T_STAT = 3} ltext = coursework {else if 

N12DBLMAJ = 2} ltext = primary major or field of study {else} ltext = major or field of 

study [If N12DBLMAJ = 3 or T_STAT = 3] {If T_CURENR = 0} Was {else} Is] your 

work-study job related to your coursework at [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] {If T_CURENR = 0} 

Was {else} Is] your work-study job related to your [{If N12DBLMAJ = 2} primary] major 

or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WSMAJR

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12WSONOF

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] Is your work-study job located primarily on or off campus? [else] Was 

your work-study job located primarily on or off campus?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WSONOF

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 On campus

2 Off campus

3 Both on and off campus

Question Name N12WSEMP

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] Is your work-study job for [Y_NPSCHL] or for another institution or 

organization? [else] Was your work-study job for [Y_NPSCHL] or for another institution 

or organization?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WSEMP

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [Y_NPSCHL]

2 Another institution or organization

Question Name N12WAEARN

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] How much do you earn from your work-study job while attending 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year? [else] How much did you earn from your 

work-study job while you were attending [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WAAMT

Wording $

Item Name N12WAERNT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per year

2 Per term or semester

3 Per month

4 Per week

5 Per hour

Question Name N12WAERNS

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] In the 2011-2012 school year only, how many [{if N12WAERNT = 2} 

terms {if N12WAERNT = 3} months {else}weeks] will you have worked in your workstudy job by the end of the school year? [else] During the 2011-2012 school year, how 

many [{if N12WAERNT = 2} terms {if N12WAERNT = 3} months {else}weeks] did you 

work in your work-study job? [If Y_CALSYS=0 and N12WAERNT in (missing, 1, 4,5)] 

then provide the following instruction]: A typical semester =15 weeks. A typical quarter 

or trimester=10 weeks.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WAERNS
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Wording [If N12WAERNT = 2] term(s) [else if N12WAERNT = 3] month(s) [else] week(s)

Question Name N12WAHRS

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1] During the 2011-2012 school year, how many hours, on average, do 

you work per week in your work-study job? [else] During the 2011-2012 school year, 

how many hours, on average, did you work per week in your work-study job?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12WAHRS

Wording | hours per week

Current Employment

Spec 

Name Value

Question 

Name

N12ANYJOB

Wording [If (N12GRTA in (0, blank) and N12GRRA in (0, blank) and N12GROTH in (0, blank) and 

N12GRFELL in (0, blank) and N12GRTRNSHP in (0, blank) and N12SCHJOB ne 1)]: 

[If T_B4JULY=1: Have/ELSE: Did] you [If T_B4JULY=1: held/ELSE: hold] any jobs during 

the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)? Do not include any jobs you held 

when you were not enrolled in school, such as jobs held only during summer break. 

[Else]:

Other than your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + school_job4], [If 

T_B4JULY=1: have/ELSE: Did] you [If T_B4JULY=1: held/ELSE: hold] any other jobs during 

the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012)? Do not include any jobs you held 

when you were not enrolled in school, such as jobs held only during summer break.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12NUMJOB

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1 and (N12GRTA in (0, blank) and N12GRRA in (0, blank) and N12GROTH in (0, 

blank) and N12GRFELL in (0, blank) and N12GRTRNSHP in (0, blank) and N12SCHJOB ne 1)]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how many jobs for pay have you usually held at one time?

[else if T_B4JULY = 1]

Not including your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + school_job4], how many jobs 

for pay have you usually held at one time during the 2011-2012 school year?

[else if T_B4JULY=0 and (N12GRTA in (0, blank) and N12GRRA in (0, blank) and N12GROTH 

in (0, blank) and N12GRFELL in (0, blank) and N12GRTRNSHP in (0, blank) and N12SCHJOB 

ne 1)]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how many jobs for pay did you usually hold at one time?

[else]

Not including your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + school_job4], how many jobs 

for pay did you usually hold at one time during the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 One

2 More than one
12/19/11

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Question 

Name

N12SEARN

Wording [if T_B4JULY = 1 and (N12GRTA=1 or N12GRRA=1 or N12GROTH=1 or N12GRFELL=1 or

N12GRTRNSHP=1 or N12SCHJOB=1)]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how much have you usually earned from working? Do not 

include any money earned from your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + 

school_job4] or any money earned when you were not enrolled in school, such as money 

earned during summer break.

[else if T_B4JULY = 1]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how much have you usually earned from working? Do not 

include any money earned when you were not enrolled in school, such as money earned 

during summer break.

[else if T_B4JULY = 0 and (N12GRTA=1 or N12GRRA=1 or N12GROTH=1 or N12GRFELL=1 or

N12GRTRNSHP=1 or N12SCHJOB=1)]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how much did you usually earn from working? Do not 

include any money earned from your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + 

school_job4] or any money earned when you were not enrolled in school, such as money 

earned during summer break.

[else]

During the 2011-2012 school year, how much did you usually earn from working? Do not 

include any money earned when you were not enrolled in school, such as money earned 

during summer break.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 For the entire school year

2 Per term or semester

3 Per month

4 Per week

5 Per hour

Question 

Name

N12SEARNS

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1 and (N12GRTA = 1 or N12GRRA = 1 or N12GROTH = 1 or N12GRFELL = 1 

or N12GRTRNSHP = 1 or N12SCHJOB = 1)] During the 2011-2012 school year only, and not 

including your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + school_job4], how many [t_fill2] 

will you have worked by the end of the school year? Do not include any [t_fill2] worked when 

you were not enrolled in school. [else if T_B4JULY=1] During the 2011-2012 school year only, 

how many [t_fill2] will you have worked by the end of the school year? Do not include any 

[t_fill2] worked when you were not enrolled in school. [else if T_B4JULY = 0 and (N12GRTA = 

1 or N12GRRA = 1 or N12GROTH = 1 or N12GRFELL = 1 or N12GRTRNSHP = 1 or 

N12SCHJOB = 1)] Not including your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + 

school_job4], how many [t_fill2] did you work during the 2011-2012 school year? Do not 

include any [t_fill2] worked when you were not enrolled in school. [else] During the 2011-

2012 school year only, how many [t_fill2] did you work? Do not include any [t_fill2] worked 

when you were not enrolled in school. [If Y_CALSYS=0 and N12SERNTIM in (missing,1,4,5) 

then provide the following instruction]: (Tip: One semester usually has 15 weeks. One quarter 

or trimester usually has 10 weeks.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording [if N12SERNTIM = 2] term(s) [else if N12SERNTIM = 3] month(s) [else] week(s)

Question 

Name

N12SBHRS

Wording [If T_B4JULY= 1 and (N12GRTA=1 or N12GRRA=1 or N12GROTH=1 or N12GRFELL=1 or 

N12GRTRNSHP=1 or N12SCHJOB=1)] How many hours have you usually worked per week 

during the 2011-2012 school year? Do not include hours worked at your [school_job1 + 
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school_job2 + school_job3 + school_job4] or any hours worked when you were not enrolled 

in school, such as during summer break. [else if T_B4JULY = 1] How many hours have you 

usually worked per week during the 2011-2012 school year? Do not include any hours worked 

when you were not enrolled in school, such as during summer break. [else if T_B4JULY = 0 

and (N12GRTA=1 or N12GRRA=1 or N12GROTH=1 or N12GRFELL=1 or N12GRTRNSHP=1 or 

N12SCHJOB=1)] How many hours did you usually work per week during the 2011-2012 school 

year? Do not include hours worked at your [school_job1 + school_job2 + school_job3 + 

school_job4] or any hours worked when you were not enrolled in school, such as during 

summer break. [else] How many hours did you usually work per week during the 2011-2012 

school year? Do not include any hours worked when you were not enrolled in school, such as 

during summer break.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | hour(s) per week

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12ONOFF

Wording [If N12NUMJOB = 1 and If T_B4JULY=1]: Is this job located on or off campus? [If 

N12NUMJOB=1 and T_B4JULY=0]: Was that job located on or off campus? [else If 

N12NUMJOB gt 1 and T_B4JLULY=1]: Are these jobs all located on campus, all located off 

campus, or located both on and off campus? [else if N12NUMJOB gt 1 and T_B4JLULY=0]: 

Were these jobs all located on campus, all located off campus, or located both on and off 

campus?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording [If N12NUMJOB=1] Primarily on campus [else] Jobs were all on campus

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [If N12NUMJOB=1]: Primarily on campus 

[Else]: Jobs all on campus

2 [If N12NUMJOB=1]: Primarily off campus 

[Else]: Jobs all off campus

3 Both on and off campus jobs

Question 

Name

N12ENRWRK

Wording During the 2011-2012 school year, would you say you were primarily...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 A student working to meet expenses, or

2 An employee who decided to enroll in school

Question 

Name

N12PRVJOB

Wording Before the 2011-2012 school year began, how many jobs for pay were you usually working at 

one time?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 None

1 One

2 More than one

Question 

Name

N12POCC

Wording [If N12PRVJOB=1]: What were the title and duties of that job? [Else]: What were the title and 

duties of the job where you worked the most hours in the year before the 2011-2012 school 

year began?

Item Spec Name Value

Occupation 

Coder

Data source: O*NET: Occupational Information Network (U.S. Department of Labor)

Question N12SAMEJOB
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Name

Wording [If N12PJBTL ne missing]: [If T_CURENR=1: Are/Else: Were] you still working in a 

[N12PJBTL] job [if T_CURENR=0: during the most recent term you attended school in the 

2011-2012 school year? [Else] [If T_CURENR=1: Are/else: Were] you still working in that job 

[if T_CURENR=0: during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 school 

year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12POCCTIM

Wording [If N12SAMEJOB=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, for how long [if 

T_B4JULY=1: will you have worked/else: had you worked] in [if N12PJBTL ne missing: a 

[N12PJBTL]/else: that] job? [Else] For how long did you work at [if N12PJBTL ne missing: 

your [N12PJBTL]/else: that] job?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |(Enter a number here and choose a unit of time below)

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Day(s)

2 Week(s)

3 Month(s)

4 Year(s)

Question 

Name

N12PRVWAGE

Wording Create T_JOBFILL: [If N12PRVJOB > 1] then T_JOBFILL = "from all jobs", [else] T_JOBFILL = 

blank How much did you usually earn [T_JOBFILL] before the 2011-2012 school year began?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per year

2 Per month

3 Per week

4 Per hour

Question 

Name

N12PRVHRSWK

Wording Create T_JOBFILL :[If N12PRVJOB > 1] then T_JOBFILL = "at all jobs together", [else] 

T_JOBFILL = blank. On average, how many hours per week did you work [T_JOBFILL] before 

the 2011-2012 school year began?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | hour(s) per week

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12PRVMTHYR

Wording How many months of the year did you work between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | month(s)

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12WRKPAY

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, which of the following would you most 

likely have done?
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Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Work for pay

2 Work, but not be paid

3 Not work (for any reason)

4 Enter the military

Question 

Name

N12ALTNUMJOB

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, how many jobs for pay do you think you 

would have held at one time?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 One job at a time

2 Two or more jobs at a time

Question 

Name

N12ALTSCHED

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, would you have worked full time for the 

full year? 

(Full time is at least 35 hours per week. The full year is 12 months out of the year.) 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question 

Name

N12ALTHRSWK

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, on average how many hours per week 

would you have worked?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | hour(s) per week

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12ALTMTHYR

Wording If you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012, how many months out of the year would 

you have worked?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | month(s)

Response Option

Question 

Name

N12ALTWAGE1

Wording [If N12WRKPAY=4]: How much do you think you would have earned if you had entered the 

military instead of attending college in the 2011-2012 school year? Provide your best guess if 

you are unsure of the amount. [Else]: How much do you think you would have earned from 

working if you had not attended college at all in the 2011-2012 school year? Provide your best 

guess if you are unsure of the amount. [All get the following instruction]: (Tip: The average 

minimum wage is $7.75 per hour.) 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|(enter an amount per hour or an amount per year)

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per hour

2 Per year

Question N12ALTWAGE2
12/19/11

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Name

Wording How much do you think you would have earned at all your jobs together if you had not 

attended college in the 2011-2012 school year? 

(Provide your best guess if you are unsure of the amount.) 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00 (enter an amount per week, per month, or per year)

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Per week

2 Per month

3 Per year

Income and Expenses

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12INCINTRO

Wording The next set of questions will help us to better understand how the financial 

circumstances of students may affect their ability to attend college.

Item

Question 

Name

N12INCOM

Wording What was your income for calendar year 2011, prior to taxes and deductions? 

(Calendar year 2011 includes January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. Include all 

income you paid taxes on, including work, investment income, or alimony. Do not 

include [if N12MARR=2: your spouse's income,] any grants or loans you may have 

used to pay for school, or any money given to you by your family.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 No income

2 Less than $1,000

3 $1,000-$2,499

4 $2,500-$4,999

5 $5,000-$9,999

6 $10,000-$14,999

7 $15,000-$19,999

8 $20,000-$29,999

9 $30,000-$49,999

10 $50,000 and above

11 Don't know

Question Name N12INCSP

Wording What was your spouse's income for calendar year 2011, prior to taxes and deductions? 

(Calendar year 2011 includes January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. Include all 

income your spouse paid taxes on. Do not include any grants or loans your spouse may 

have used to pay for school, or any money given to your spouse by family.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording
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Response 

Option

Code Label

1 No income

2 Less than $1,000

3 $1,000-$2,499

4 $2,500-$4,999

5 $5,000-$9,999

6 $10,000-$14,999

7 $15,000-$19,999

8 $20,000-$29,999

9 $30,000-$49,999

10 $50,000 and above

11 Don't know

Question Name N12DEPS

Wording Next [if Web mode: we/else: I] have some questions that will help us understand how 

students' family situations affect how they pay for college. Do you have any children 

you [if T_B4JULY=1: support/else: supported] financially [if T_B4JULY=0] during the 

2011-2012 school year]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DEP2

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] How many children do you support financially? [else] How many 

children did you support financially during the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | child(ren)

Question Name N12OTDEPS

Wording Create t_fill1, t_fill2, t_fill3, t_fill4, and t_fill5:

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill1=are {else} t_fill1=were

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill2=Are {else} t_fill2=were

{if N12DEP2=1} t_fill3=child {else} t_fill3=children

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill4=no words {else} t_fill4=during the 2011-2012 school year {if 

N12DEP2=1} t_fill5=no words {else} t_fill5=[N12DEP2]

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEPS in (0, blank) or (N12MARR=2 and N12DEPS=1 and 

N12DEP2 in (0, blank)] Other than your spouse, [t_fill1] you financially supporting 

anyone else [t_fill4]? [else if N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] Other than your spouse 

and your [t_fill5][t_fill3], [t_fill1] financially supporting anyone else [t_fill4]? [else if 

N12MARR ne 2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] Other than your [t_fill5][t_fill3], [t_fill1] you 

financially supporting anyone else [t_fill4]? [else] [t_fill2] you financially supporting 

anyone else [t_fill4]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12OTDEPS2

Wording Create t_fill1, t_fill2, t_fill3, and t_fill4:

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill1=are {else} t_fill1=were

{if N12DEP2=1} t_fill2=child {else} t_fill2=children

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill3=no words {else} t_fill3=during the 2011-2012 school year?

{if N12DEP2=1} t_fill4=no words {else} t_fill4=[N12DEP2]

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEPS in (0, blank) or (N12MARR=2 and N12DEPS=1 and 

N12DEP2 in (0, blank)] Other than your spouse, how many others [t_fill1] you 

financially supporting [t_fill3]? [else if N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] Other than your 
12/19/11

Page 103

spouse and your [t_fill4][t_fill2], how many others [t_fill1] you financially supporting 

[t_fill3]? [else if N12MARR ne 2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] Other than your [t_fill4][t_fill2], 

how many others [t_fill1] you financially supporting [t_fill3]? [else] How many others 

[t_fill1] you financially supporting [t_fill3]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |other(s)

Response Option

Question Name N12OTDEPAMT

Wording Create: {if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill1=do {else} t_fill1=did

Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill2=child {else} t_fill2=children

Create: {if N12OTDEPS2=1} t_fill3=this other person {else} t_fill3=these 

[N12OTDEPS2] other people

{if T_B4JULY=1} t_fill4=no words {else} t_fill4=during the 2011-2012 school year?

Create: {if N12DEP2=1} t_fill5=no words {else} t_fill5=[N12DEP2]

[If N12MARR=2 and N12DEP2 gt 0] In an average month, how much [t_fill1] you 

spend supporting [t_fill3] [t_fill4]? (Do not include any money spent to support your 

spouse or your [t_fill5][t_fill2].) [else if N12MARR=2] In an average month, how much 

[t_fill1] you spend supporting [t_fill3] [t_fill4]? (Do not include any money spent to 

support your spouse.) [else if N12MARR ne 2 and N12DEP2 gt 0]: In an average month, 

how much [t_fill1] you spend supporting [t_fill3] [t_fill4]? (Do not include any money 

spent to support your [t_fill5][t_fill2].) [else] In an average month, how much [t_fill1] 

you spend supporting [t_fill3] [t_fill4]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00

Response Option

Question Name N12DAGE

Wording [If N12DEP2= 1] How old is your child? [else] How old is your youngest dependent 

child?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Age of child:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one0 Less than one year

1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

10 10

11 11

12 12

13 13

14 14

15 15

16 16

17 17

18 18

19 19

20 20

21 21

22 22

23 23

24 24

25 25 or older
12/19/11

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Question Name N12CARE

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1 and N12MARR=2]: How many of your dependent children are in 

childcare that you and your spouse pay for? [else if T_B4JULY= 1]: How many of your 

dependent children are in childcare that you pay for? [else if N12MARR=2]: How many 

of your dependent children were in childcare that you and your spouse paid for during 

the 2011-2012 school year? [else]: How many of your dependent children were in 

childcare that you paid for during the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |child(ren)

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CARE1

Wording [If T_B4JULY= 1 and N12MARR=2] Is your child in childcare that you and your spouse 

pay for? [else if T_B4JULY = 1] Is your child in childcare that you pay for? [else if 

N12MARR=2] Was your child in childcare that you and your spouse paid for during the 

2011-2012 school year? [else] Was your child in childcare that you paid for during the 

2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12DAYCST

Wording [If T_B4JULY= 1 and N12MARR=2]: How much (on average) do you and your spouse 

pay each month for childcare? Indicate only the amount for which you and your spouse 

are responsible each month. Indicate "0" if someone else pays all of your childcare 

costs for you. [else if T_B4JULY= 1] How much (on average) do you pay each month 

for childcare? Indicate only the amount for which you are responsible each month. 

Indicate "0" if someone else pays all of your childcare costs for you. [else if 

T_B4JULY=0 and N12MARR=2]: In the 2011-2012 school year, how much (on average) 

did you and your spouse pay each month for childcare? Indicate only the amount for 

which you and your spouse were responsible each month. Indicate "0" if someone else 

paid all of your childcare costs for you. [else]: In the 2011-2012 school year, how much 

(on average) did you pay each month for childcare? Indicate only the amount for which 

you were responsible each month. Indicate "0" if someone else paid all of your 

childcare costs for you.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00 per month

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 {Continuous}

Question Name N12KIDCOL

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] How many of your dependents have attended a college, university, 

or trade school in the 2011-2012 school year? [else] How many of your dependents 

attended a college, university, or trade school in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | dependent(s)

Question Name N12KIDCOL1

Wording [If T_B4JULY = 1] Has your dependent attended a college, university, or trade school in 

the 2011-2012 school year? [else] Did your dependent attend a college, university, or 

trade school in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No
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Question Name N12COLCOST

Wording [If N12MARR=2 and (N12KIDCOL=1 or N12KIDCOL1=1)]: Not including any loans, how 

much did you and your spouse contribute to the cost of your dependent's college 

expenses in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else if N12MARR=2]: Not including any loans, 

how much did you and your spouse contribute to the cost of these [N12KIDCOL] 

dependents' college expenses in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else if N12KIDCOL=1 or 

N12KIDCOL1=1]: Not including any loans, how much did you contribute to the cost of 

your dependent's college expenses in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else]: Not including 

any loans, how much did you contribute to the cost of these [N12KIDCOL] dependents' 

college expenses in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00

Response Option

Question Name N12PARHELP

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), will your parents (or guardians) have helped you pay for any of your education 

and living expenses while you are enrolled in school? [Else]: Through the end of the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), did your parents (or guardians) 

help you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you were enrolled in 

school?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PARAMT

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how much will 

your parents (or guardians) have helped you pay for any of your education and living 

expenses while you are enrolled in school? Is it... [Else]: Through the end of the 2011-

2012 school year, about how much did your parents (or guardians) help you pay for 

any of your education and living expenses while you were enrolled in school? Was it...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $250

2 $250-$500

3 $501-$1,000

4 $1,001-$1,500

5 $1,501-$2,000

6 More than $2,000

Question Name N12PARAMT2

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: OK. Is the amount your parents (or guardians) will have helped you 

pay for any of your education and living expenses through the end of the 2011-2012 

school year... [Else]: OK. Was the amount your parents (or guardians) helped you pay 

for any of your education and living expenses while you were enrolled in school through 

the end of the 2011-2012 school year...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $2,001-$5,000

2 $5,001-$10,000

3 $10,001-$15,000

4 $15,001-$20,000

5 $20,001-$25,000

6 More than $25,000

Question Name N12FAMHELP

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1 and N12PARDED=1]: Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year 
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[if N12MARR=2:, and not including your spouse], will [if N12MARR=2: other] family 

members or friends have helped you pay for any of your education and living expenses 

while you are enrolled in school? [else if T_B4JULY=0 and N12PARDED=1]: Through 

the end of the 2011-2012 school year [If N12MARR=2:, and not including your spouse], 

did [if N12MARR=2: other] family members or friends help you pay for any of your 

education and living expenses while you were enrolled in school? [If N12MARR=2 and 

T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, and not including your 

spouse or your parents (or guardians), will other family members or friends have 

helped you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you are enrolled in 

school? [else if N12MARR=2] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, and not 

including your spouse or your parents (or guardians), did other family members or 

friends help you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you were 

enrolled in school? [else if T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school 

year, and not including your parents (or guardians), will other family members or 

friends have helped you pay for any of your education and living expenses while you 

are enrolled in school? [else] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, and not 

including your parents (or guardians), did other family members or friends help you pay 

for any of your education and living expenses while you were enrolled in school?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12FAMAMT

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1] Through the end of the 2011-2012 school year, about how much will 

these family or friends have helped you pay for any of your education and living 

expenses while you are enrolled in school? Is it... [Else]: Through the end of the 2011-

2012 school year, about how much did these family or friends help you pay for any of 

your education and living expenses while you were enrolled in school? Was it...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Less than $250

2 $250-$500

3 $501-$1,000

4 $1,001-$1,500

5 $1,501-$2,000

6 More than $2,000

Question Name N12FAMAMT2

Wording [If T_B4JULY=1]: OK. Is the amount these family or friends will have helped you pay 

for any of your education and living expenses through the end of the 2011-2012 school 

year... [Else]: OK. Was the amount these family or friends helped you pay for any of 

your education and living expenses through the end of the 2011-2012 school year...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $2,001-$5,000

2 $5,001-$10,000

3 $10,001-$15,000

4 $15,001-$20,000

5 $20,001-$25,000

6 More than $25,000

Question Name N12NUMCRD

Wording Excluding debit or ATM cards, how many credit cards do you have in your own name 

that are billed to you? 

(Indicate "0" if you do not have any credit cards.)
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Item Spec Name Value

Wording | credit card(s)

Question Name N12CARRYBAL

Wording [If N12NUMCRD=1]: Do you usually carry a balance over on your credit card from 

month to month? [else]: Do you usually carry a balance over on your credit cards from 

month to month?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CRDBAL

Wording [If N12NUMCRD gt 1]: What was the balance on all your credit cards combined 

according to your last statements? [else] What was the balance on your credit card 

according to your last statement?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00

Question Name N12CCUSE

Wording [If N12NUMCRD=1] Did you use your credit card to pay for any of your tuition and fees 

in the 2011-2012 school year? [Else] Have you used your credit cards to pay for any of 

your tuition and fees in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CCREASON

Wording [If N12NUMCRD=1] Did you charge your tuition and fees using your credit card 

because that was the only way you could afford to pay for those expenses? [else] Did 

you charge your tuition and fees using your credit card(s) because that was the only 

way you could afford to pay for those expenses?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12BANK1

Wording Do you have a checking or savings account at a bank or credit union?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12BANK2

Wording Is your primary checking or savings account...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 In your name only, or

2 Shared between you and someone else

Question Name N12SCHRES

Wording [If T_CURENR=1 and web mode] Where are you living during the 2011-2012 school 

year while attending [Y_NPSCHL]? (If you have lived in more than one residence, 

choose the place where you have lived for the longest period of time.) [else If 

T_CURENR = 1] While attending [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year, are 

you living in college-owned housing, with your parent(s) or guardian(s), or some place 

else? (If you have lived in more than one residence, choose the place where you have 
12/19/11

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lived for the longest period of time.) [else if T_CURENR=0 and web mode] Where were 

you living during the 2011-2012 school year while attending [Y_NPSCHL]? (If you lived 

in more than one residence, choose the place where you lived for the longest period of 

time.) [else] While attending [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year, did you 

live in college-owned housing, with your parent(s) or guardian(s), or some place else? 

(If you lived in more than one residence, choose the place where you lived for the 

longest period of time.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 On campus or in college-owned housing (for 

example, a dorm or a residence hall)

2 With parent(s) or guardian(s)

3 Off campus (not college-owned housing)

Question Name N12DISTHDAYS

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: On average, how many days per week (or per month) do you travel 

between where you live and [Y_NPSCHL]? [else]: In the 2011-2012 school year, how 

many days per week on average (or per month) did you travel between where you lived 

and [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |day(s)

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 per week

2 per month

Wording [If T_CURENR=1]: Do not travel between where you live and [Y_NPSCHL] [else]: Did not 

travel between where you lived and [Y_NPSCHL]

Response Option

Question Name N12DISTHMINS

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] On an average day, how much time does it take for you to get from 

where you live to [Y_NPSCHL]? [else] On an average day in the 2011-2012 school year, 

how much time did it take for you to get from where you lived to [Y_NPSCHL]?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |(enter number of minutes or hours)

Response Option

Wording Minute(s) per day

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Minute(s)

2 Hour(s)

Question Name N12DISTWKDAY

Wording [If T_CURENR=1 and N12NUMJOB=2] How many days in an average week do you 

usually travel from where you live to the job where you work the most hours? [else if 

T_CURENR=1] How many days in an average week do you usually travel from where 

you live to work? [else if T_CURENR=0 and N12NUMJOB=2] How many days in an 

average week did you usually travel from where you lived to the job where you worked 

the most hours during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 

school year? [else] How many days in an average week did you usually travel from 

where you lived to work during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-

2012 school year? [All get the following instruction]: (By "travel" we mean get from 

home to work by car, bus, walking, etc.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | day(s) per week

Wording Zero days (no travel to work)

Response Option

Question Name N12DISTWKTIM

Wording [If T_CURENR=1 and If N12NUMJOB=2]: On an average day, how much time does it 

usually take you to get from where you live to the job where you work the most hours? 
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[Else if T_CURENR=1]: On an average day, how much time does it usually take you to 

get from where you live to work? [If N12NUMJOB=2]: How much time did it usually 

take for you to get from where you lived to the job where you worked the most hours 

on an average day during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 

school year?" [Else]: How much time did it usually take for you to get from where you 

lived to work on an average day during the most recent term you attended school in 

the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording |(enter number of minutes or hours)

Response Option

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Minute(s)

2 Hour(s)

Question Name N12HOME

Wording Do you own a home or pay a mortgage on a home? 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12RNTAMT

Wording [If T_CURENR = 1 and N12HOME=1] While attending school during the 2011-2012 

school year, how much (on average) is your monthly mortgage payment? Please 

indicate only the amount that you ([if N12MARR=2] and your spouse/[else if 

N12MARR=6] and your partner) are responsible for paying. If someone else pays your 

mortgage on your behalf, please indicate "0." [else if T_CURENR=0 and N12HOME=1] 

While you were attending school during the 2011-2012 school year, how much (on 

average) was your monthly mortgage payment? Please indicate only the amount that 

you ([if N12MARR=2] and your spouse/[else if N12MARR=6] and your partner) were 

responsible for paying. If someone else paid your mortgage on your behalf, please 

indicate "0." [else if T_CURENR=1 and N12HOME=0] While attending school during the 

2011-2012 school year, how much (on average) is your monthly rent payment? Please 

indicate only the amount that you ([if N12MARR=2] and your spouse/[else if 

N12MARR=6] and your partner) are responsible for paying. If you do not have a rent 

payment or someone else pays your rent on your behalf, please indicate "0." [else if 

T_CURENR=0 and N12HOME=0] While you were attending school during the 2011-

2012 school year, how much (on average) was your monthly rent payment? Please 

indicate only the amount that you ([if N12MARR=2] and your spouse/[else if 

N12MARR=6] and your partner) were responsible for paying. If you did not pay rent or 

if someone else paid your rent on your behalf, please indicate "0." [else if 

T_CURENR=1] While attending school during the 2011-2012 school year, how much 

(on average) is your monthly rent or mortgage payment? Please indicate only the 

amount that you ([if N12MARR=2] and your spouse/[else if N12MARR=6] and your 

partner) are responsible for paying. If someone else pays your rent or mortgage on 

your behalf, please indicate "0." [else] While you were attending school during the 

2011-2012 school year, how much (on average) was your monthly rent or mortgage 

payment? Please indicate only the amount that you ([if N12MARR=2] and your 

spouse/[else if N12MARR=6] and your partner) were responsible for paying. If you did 

not pay rent or a mortgage or if someone else paid your rent or mortgage on your 

behalf, please indicate "0."

Item Spec Name Value

Wording $|.00

Question Name N12UNTAX

Wording [IF T_AGE ge 24 or N12MARR=2 or N12DEP2 gt 0 or N12OTDEPS2 gt 0] Between July 
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1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, did you [if N12MARR=2 or N12DEP2 gt 0 or N12OTDEPS2 

gt 0: or anyone in your household] receive any of the following benefits? (Bulleted list) 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP (the Food Stamp Program), TANF (the 

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program), [if N12DAGE LT 19 ]: The Free and 

Reduced Price School Lunch Program, [if N12DAGE LT 6]: WIC (the Special 

Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) 

[else] Between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, did you or anyone in your parent or 

guardian’s household receive any of the following benefits? 

[Bulleted list) Social Security, SNAP (the Food Stamp Program), TANF (the Temporary 

Assistance for Needy Families Program), The Free and Reduced Price School Lunch 

Program, WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and 

Children) 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12PARST

Wording What is the current marital status of your parents or guardians? If your parents are 

divorced, please answer this question about the marital status of the parent or guardian 

whom you lived with most during the past 12 months. 

(If you did not live with one parent more than the other, answer about the parent who 

provided more financial support during the last 12 months, or during the most recent 

year that you received support from a parent.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Married or remarried

2 Single

3 Divorced or separated

4 Widowed

5 None of the above - Both parents or guardians 

are deceased

Question Name N12PARNC

Wording [If N12PARST=1] What was your parents' or guardians' combined income in calendar 

year 2011 (January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011)? (If your parents are divorced 

and the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months is remarried, tell us 

about the combined income of that parent and the person he or she is married to.) 

[Else if N12PARST = 2] What was your parent or guardian's income in calendar year 

2011 (January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011)? Would you say it was.. (Tell us 

about the parent or guardian whom you lived with most during the past 12 months. If 

you did not live with one parent more than the other, answer about the parent who 

provided more financial support during the last 12 months, or during the most recent 

year that you received support from a parent.) [Else if N12PARST = 4] What was your 

parent or guardian's income in calendar year 2011 (January 1, 2011 through December 

31, 2011)? Would you say it was.. [Else] In calendar year 2011 (January 1, 2011 

through December 31, 2011), what was the income of the parent or guardian whom 

you lived with most in the past 12 months? Would you say it was.. (If you did not live 

with one parent more than the other, answer about the parent who provided more 

financial support during the last 12 months, or during the most recent year that you 

received support from a parent.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Under $30,000
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2 $30,000 to $59,999

3 $60,000 to $89,999

4 $90,000 to $119,999

5 $120,000 and above

6 Don't know

Wording Parents (or guardians) are deceased

Response Option

Question Name N12PRHSD

Wording [If N12PARST=1 and T_CURENR=1]: Not including yourself or your parents or 

guardians, how many people (for example, brothers or sisters or grandparents) have 

your parents or guardians been supporting financially since July 1, 2011? (If your 

parents are divorced and the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months is 

remarried, tell us about the number of people that parent and the person he or she is 

married to, are supporting.) [Else if N12PARST=1 and T_CURENR=0] Not including 

yourself or your parents or guardians, how many people (for example, brothers or 

sisters or grandparents) did your parents or guardians support financially during the 

most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 school year? (If your parents 

are divorced and the parent you lived with more during the past 12 months is 

remarried, tell us about the number of people that parent and the person he or she is 

married to, are supporting.) [Else If N12PARST in (2,4) and T_CURENR=1]: Not 

including yourself or your parent or guardian, how many people (for example, brothers 

or sisters or grandparents) has your parent or guardian been supporting financially 

since July 1, 2011? [If N12PARST=2]: (Tell us about the parent or guardian whom you 

lived with most during the past 12 months. If you did not live with one parent more 

than the other, answer about the parent who provided more financial support during 

the last 12 months, or during the most recent year that you received support from a 

parent.) [Else if N12PARST in (2,4) and T_CURENR=0] Not including yourself or your 

parent or guardian, how many people (for example, brothers or sisters or grandparents) 

did your parent or guardian support financially during the most recent term you 

attended school in the 2011-2012 school year? [If N12PARST=2]: (Tell us about the 

parent or guardian whom you lived with most during the past 12 months. If you did not 

live with one parent more than the other, answer about the parent who provided more 

financial support during the last 12 months, or during the most recent year that you 

received support from a parent.) [Else if T_CURENR=1] Not including yourself or the 

parent or guardian whom you lived with most in the past 12 months, how many people 

(for example, brothers or sisters or grandparents) has this parent or guardian been 

supporting financially since July 1, 2011? (If you did not live with one parent more than 

the other, answer about the parent who provided more financial support during the last 

12 months, or during the most recent year that you received support from a parent.) 

[else] Not including yourself or the parent or guardian whom you lived with most in the 

past 12 months, how many people (for example, brothers or sisters or grandparents) 

did this parent or guardian support financially during the most recent term you 

attended school in the 2011-2012 school year? (If you did not live with one parent 

more than the other, answer about the parent who provided more financial support 

during the last 12 months, or during the most recent year that you received support 

from a parent.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | individual(s)

Question Name N12DPNUM

Wording [If N12PARST=1 and T_CURENR=1]: Not including yourself or your parents or 

guardians, how many of the people financially supported by your parents or guardians 

have attended a college, university, or trade school since July 1, 2011? [else if 

N12PARST=1 and T_CURENR=0] Not including yourself or your parents or guardians, 

how many of the people financially supported by your parents or guardians attended a 

college, university, or trade school during the most recent term you attended school in 
12/19/11

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the 2011-2012 school year? [else if T_CURENR=1] Not including yourself or your parent 

or guardian, how many of the people financially supported by your parent or guardian 

have attended a college, university, or trade school since July 1, 2011? [else] Not 

including yourself or your parent or guardian, how many of the people financially 

supported by your parent or guardian attended a college, university, or trade school 

during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | individual(s)

Question Name N12DSCT250

Wording Now [If web mode: we/else: I] have a series of quick "what-if" scenarios for you about 

money. Imagine you have a choice between receiving $250 today, or $250 in one year. 

This gift is guaranteed whether you choose to take the $250 today, or $250 in one 

year. Would you prefer...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $250 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT300

Wording Thanks. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $300 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT350

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $350 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT400

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $400 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT450

Wording OK. What about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $450 in one year

Question Name N12DSCT500

Wording Finally, how about...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 $250 today

2 $500 in one year

Background
12/19/11

Page 113

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

INTBCK

Wording Finally, [if TIO: I/else: we] have a few additional questions to ask that will help us 

better understand the college experiences of students from different backgrounds.

Item

Question 

Name

N12STATE

Wording Of which state are you a legal resident?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut

DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana

IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina

SD South Dakota
12/19/11

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TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa

FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Question Name N12DISTNC

Wording [If T_CURENR=1] What is the 5-digit ZIP code of your permanent address? Your 

permanent address is usually your legal residence, such as where you maintain your 

driver’s license or are registered to vote. [else] What was the 5-digit ZIP code of your 

permanent address when you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year? 

Your permanent address is usually your legal residence, such as where you maintain 

your driver’s license or are registered to vote.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Wording Check here instead if permanent address is outside the United States

Response Option

Question Name N12USBORN

Wording Were you born in the United States (including Puerto Rico or another U.S. territory)?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12CITZN

Wording Are you a U.S. citizen? 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

2 No - Resident alien, permanent resident, or 

other eligible non-citizen; hold a temporary 

resident's card or other eligible non-citizen 

temporary resident's card

3 No - Student visa, in the country on an F1 or 

F2 visa, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa

Question Name N12IMGRAGE

Wording How old were you when you came to the United States?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording | year(s) old

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Younger than 6

2 Between 6 and 12

3 Between 13 and 17

4 Older than 17

Wording Don't know exact age

Response Option
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Question Name N12IMGEST

Wording When you came to the United States would you say you were...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 5 years old or younger

2 6 to 8 years old

3 9 to 11 years old

4 12 to 14 years old

5 15 to 17 years old

6 18 years or older

Question Name N12FLANG

Wording What was the first language you learned to speak as a child?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 English

2 Spanish

3 English and Spanish equally

4 Another language (other than English or 

Spanish)

5 An equal mix of English and another language 

(other than Spanish)

Question Name N12FFLANGA

Wording [If N12FLANG in (2, 3)] How often did you speak Spanish with your mother or primary 

caregiver when you started high school? [Else] How often did you speak your nonEnglish language with your mother or primary caregiver when you started high school?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

0 Never

1 Sometimes

2 About half of the time

3 Most of the time

4 Always

Question Name N12PARUS

Wording Were your parents born in the United States (including Puerto Rico or another U.S. 

territory)?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

2 Yes, both parents

1 Yes, one parent

0 No

Question Name N12HISP

Wording Are you of either Hispanic or Latino origin? 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12HISTYP

Wording Are you of...

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Cuban descent

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Mexican, Mexican-American, or Chicano descent

Response Code Label
12/19/11

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Option 1 Yes

0 No

Wording Puerto Rican descent

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Some other Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12RAC1

Wording What is your race? 

Choose one or more.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording White

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Black or African American

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Asian

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording American Indian or Alaska Native

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12TRIBE

Wording Are you enrolled in a state- or federally-recognized tribe? 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12SPCOL

Wording Has your spouse attended a college, university, or trade school during the 2011-2012 

school year?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes, full time

2 Yes, part time

0 No

Question Name N12MOMED

Wording What is the highest level of education your mother completed?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

6 Some college but no degree

5 Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)
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7 Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (chiropractic, dentistry, 

law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, 

or veterinary medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Question Name N12DADED

Wording What is the highest level of education your father completed?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Did not complete high school

2 High school diploma or equivalent

3 Vocational/technical training

6 Some college but no degree

5 Associate's degree (usually a 2-year degree)

7 Bachelor's degree (usually a 4-year degree)

8 Master's degree or equivalent

9 Professional degree (chiropractic, dentistry, 

law, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, 

or veterinary medicine)

10 Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.)

11 Don't know

Question Name N12SIBCL

Wording Do you have any brothers or sisters who went to college before you did?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12MILIT

Wording Are you a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, or are you currently serving in the Armed 

Forces either on active duty, in the reserves, or in the National Guard?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Veteran

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Active duty

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording Reserves

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording National Guard

Response Option

Wording None of the above

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 None of the above

0 No

Question Name N12ACS16A

Wording These last few questions will help us better understand the educational services 

available for people with disabilities.

Are you deaf or do you have serious difficulty hearing?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label
12/19/11

Page 118

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ACS16B

Wording Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ACS17A

Wording Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty 

concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12ACS17B

Wording Do you have serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12MAIN

Wording What is the main type of condition or impairment that you have?

(Please choose only one.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Hearing impairment (for example, deaf or hard 

of hearing)

2 Blindness or visual impairment that cannot be 

corrected by wearing glasses

3 Speech or language impairment

4 Orthopedic or mobility impairment

5 Specific learning disability or dyslexia

6 Attention deficit disorder (ADD)

7 Health impairment or problem

8 Mental, emotional or psychiatric condition

9 Depression

10 Developmental disability

11 Brain injury

12 Other

Question Name N12EXTERNAL

Wording We are almost done with this survey. But first, I want to let you know that some 

students may be invited to participate in follow-up studies to learn more about their 

education and employment experiences after completing this survey. These follow-up 

studies will be led by external researchers not affiliated with the Department of 

Education. We would like to seek your permission to allow RTI to re-contact you on 

behalf of one of the external researchers. Your participation in future studies is 

completely voluntary, but there is no substitute for your response. 

Are you willing to be contacted about these future studies?

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name N12EXTERNAL

Wording

Response Code Label
12/19/11

Page 119

Option 1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12MENTH

Wording In general, how is your mental health?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Excellent

2 Very good

3 Good

4 Fair

5 Poor

Question Name N12MISSH

Wording In the past 30 days, how often did a physical or mental health concern cause you to 

miss a day of school or work?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Never

2 A few times

3 About once a week

4 Almost every day

5 Every day

Locating

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12LINTRO

Wording In about 2 years, we would like to be able to get in touch with you again to see what 

you’re doing and what has changed in your life. To find you then, we need to collect 

some address information.

This information will be kept in secure and protected data files, and will be separate 

from the responses you've already provided in your interview.

Item

Question 

Name

N12NAME

Wording We currently have your name as follows:

(Make any necessary corrections, then select Next.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording First name:

Wording Middle name:

Wording Last name:

Question Name N12VERLOC

Wording Do you consider the following address to be your local address?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording
12/19/11

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Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [fill Y_LOC1AD]

2 Local address is different from above

Question Name N12LOCADR

Wording [If web mode] Please provide your local address. [else] What is your local address?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Street Address:

Wording City:

Wording State:

Wording Zip Code:

Wording Foreign Phone:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Cell Phone:

Wording Home phone:

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Wording Foreign Address:

Wording Foreign City:

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Response Option

Question Name N12P1AD1

Wording [If N12PARST in (2, 3, 4)]: Please provide contact information for the parent whom you 

lived with most during the past 12 months. You will have the opportunity to provide 

contact information for other parents or guardians who live at a different address next. 

[Else]: Please provide contact information for your parent(s) or guardian(s) who live 

together at the same address. You will have the opportunity to provide contact 

information for other parents or guardians who live at a different address next.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording (Parent 1) Last Name:

Wording (Parent 1) First Name:

Wording (Parent 1) Relationship:

Response 

Option

Code Label

2 Father/Male guardian

1 Mother/Female guardian

-9 -Select oneWording (Parent 2) Last Name:

Wording (Parent 2) First Name:

Wording (Parent 2) Relationship:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Mother/Female guardian

2 Father/Male guardian

Wording Street Address:

Wording Zip Code:

Wording State:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut

DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana
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IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa

FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Wording City:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Foreign Phone:

Wording Both parents deceased

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Wording (Parent 1) Cell Phone:

Wording (Parent 2) Cell Phone:

Wording Home phone:

Wording (Street Address 2:)

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Wording (Parent 1) E-mail Address 1:

Wording (Parent 1) E-mail Address 2:

Wording (Parent 2) E-mail Address 1:

Wording (Parent 2) E-mail Address 2:

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Wording Foreign Address:

Wording Foreign City:
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Response Option

Question Name N12P2SAME

Wording [If N12P1DS=1] Is there another guardian for whom you would like to provide contact 

information? [else] Is there another parent or guardian for whom you would like to 

provide contact information?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes

0 No

Question Name N12P2AD2

Wording [If N12P1DS=1] Please provide contact information for your other guardian(s). [Else] 

Please provide contact information for your other parent(s) or guardian(s).

Item Spec Name Value

Wording (Parent 1) First Name:

Response Option

Wording (Parent 1) Last Name:

Response Option

Wording (Parent 1) Relationship:

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Mother/Female guardian

2 Father/Male guardian

-9 -Select oneWording (Parent 2) First Name:

Response Option

Wording (Parent 2) Last Name:

Response Option

Wording (Parent 2) Relationship:

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Mother/Female guardian

2 Father/Male guardian

-9 -Select oneWording Street Address:

Wording Zip Code:

Wording City:

Wording State:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Foreign Phone:

Wording (Parent 1) Cell Phone:

Wording (Parent 2) Cell Phone:

Wording Home Phone:

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Wording (Parent 1) E-mail Address 1:

Wording (Parent 1) E-mail Address 2:

Wording (Parent 2) E-mail Address 1:

Wording (Parent 2) E-mail Address 2:

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Wording Foreign Address:

Wording Foreign City:

Response Option

Question Name N12OTINFO

Wording Please provide the name, address, and telephone number for someone else [{if 

N12MARR=2}, other than your spouse,] who will always know how to contact you.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Last Name:

Wording First Name:

Wording Relationship:

Response 

Option

Code Label

7 Mother/Female guardian

8 Father/Male guardian

1 Sister/brother

2 Spouse

-9 -Select one4 Grandmother/Grandfather
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3 Friend

6 Aunt/Uncle

5 Mother-in-law/Father-in-law

9 Child

10 Other

Wording E-mail Address 1:

Response Option

Wording Street Address:

Wording City:

Wording State:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut

DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana

IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa
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FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Wording Zip Code:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Foreign Phone:

Wording Cell Phone:

Wording Home Phone:

Wording E-mail Address 2:

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Wording Foreign Address:

Wording Foreign City:

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Response Option

Wording Title:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Mr.

2 Mrs.

3 Miss

4 Ms.

Question Name N12SPS

Wording What is your spouse's full name (including previous last name, if applicable)?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording First Name:

Wording Last Name:

Wording Previous Last Name (if applicable):

Question Name N12VERPRM

Wording [If only 1 address is preloaded]

Do you consider the following address to be your permanent or primary address?

[else]

Which of the following do you consider to be your permanent or primary address? 

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [fill Y_PRMADD]

2 [fill N12P1AD1]

3 [fill N12P2AD2]

4 [fill N12OTINFO]

5 [fill N12LOCADR]

6 Permanent address is different from above.

Question Name N12PRMADR

Wording Please provide your permanent or primary address.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording Street Address:

Wording City:

Wording State:

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select oneAL Alabama

AK Alaska

AZ Arizona

AR Arkansas

CA California

CO Colorado

CT Connecticut
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DE Delaware

DC District of Columbia

FL Florida

GA Georgia

HI Hawaii

ID Idaho

IL Illinois

IN Indiana

IA Iowa

KS Kansas

KY Kentucky

LA Louisiana

ME Maine

MD Maryland

MA Massachusetts

MI Michigan

MN Minnesota

MS Mississippi

MO Missouri

MT Montana

NE Nebraska

NV Nevada

NH New Hampshire

NJ New Jersey

NM New Mexico

NY New York

NC North Carolina

ND North Dakota

OH Ohio

OK Oklahoma

OR Oregon

PA Pennsylvania

RI Rhode Island

SC South Carolina

SD South Dakota

TN Tennessee

TX Texas

UT Utah

VT Vermont

VA Virginia

WA Washington

WV West Virginia

WI Wisconsin

WY Wyoming

AS American Samoa

FM Fed State Micronesia

GU Guam

MH Marshall Islands

MP Northern Mariana Isl

PW Palau

PR Puerto Rico

VI U.S. Virgin Islands

FC FOREIGN COUNTRY

-1 DON'T KNOW

Wording Zip Code:

Wording Foreign Phone:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Cell Phone:

Wording Home Phone:

Wording Foreign State/Province:

Response Option

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Response Option

Wording Foreign Address:

Response Option
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Wording Foreign City:

Response Option

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Response Option

Question Name N12EMAIL

Wording [If web] Please provide your e-mail address. If you have more than one e-mail address, 

please provide those as well. 

(Please provide the e-mail addresses you're likely to have in 2 years when we will want 

to contact you again.) [else] What is your e-mail address? If you have more than one email address, please provide those as well. 

(Please provide the e-mail addresses you're likely to have in 2 years when we will want 

to contact you again.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording E-Mail Address 1:

Wording E-Mail Address 2:

Wording E-Mail Address 3:

Wording E-Mail Address 4:

Question Name N12TEXT

Wording May we contact you next year by sending a text message to your cell phone?

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 Yes, to [if N12PRMCTL1 = blank and 

N12PRMCTL2 = blank and N12PRMCTL3 = 

blank, then display Y_PRMCTL else display 

N12PRMCTL1 - N12PRMCTL2 -

N12PRMCTL3]

2 Yes, to [N12LOCCTL1 - N12LOCCTL2 -

N12LOCCTL3]

3 Yes, to the following number:

0 No

Wording

Question Name N12CELLPRO

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

-9 -Select one1 Alltel

2 AT&T

3 Boost Mobile

4 Cellular One

5 Cricket

6 Metro-PCS

7 Nextel

8 Qwest

9 Sprint

10 Straight Talk

11 T-Mobile

12 Tracfone

13 US Cellular

14 Verizon

15 Virgin Mobile

16 Other

Wording Please provide the name of your cell phone service provider:

Response Option
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Question Name N12SSNINF

Wording What is your Social Security number? 

(This information will be kept in secure and protected data files, and will be separate 

from the responses you've already provided in your interview. All individually identifiable 

information supplied by individuals or institutions to a federal agency may be used only 

for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed or used in identifiable form for any 

other purpose, except as required by law (20 U.S.C. § 9573). However, giving us your 

Social Security number is completely voluntary and there is no penalty for not disclosing 

it.) 

(Please enter the number without any dashes.)

Item Spec Name Value

Wording

Incentives

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

INCENT

Wording To show our appreciation for completing the survey today, we would like to send you a $[INC_AMOUNT] check.

Please select the address to which you would like the check mailed. Allow 4 weeks for delivery.

Item Spec Name Value

Item Name INCENT

Wording

Response 

Option

Code Label

1 [fill N12LOCADR]

2 [fill N12PRMADR]

3 Parent 1 Address

4 Parent 2 address

5 [fill N12OTINFO]

6 Another address or Provide 

address if no preloaded or 

locating information available

7 No thanks. I decline the 

$[INC_AMOUNT] incentive.

Question 

Name

INCENTADDR

Wording [If INCENT=6 or missing] 

Please provide the address to which you would like the check mailed. (Allow 4 weeks for delivery.) 

[else] 

To show our appreciation for completing the interview today, we would like to send you a $[INC_AMOUNT] check.

Please provide the address to which you would like the check mailed. Allow 4 weeks for delivery.

Item Spec Name Value

Wording First Name:

Wording Last Name:

Wording Please check here if the address is an international address.

Wording Address (street address or PO box):

Wording Address Line 2:

Wording City:

Wording State:

Wording Zip code:

Wording Foreign Address:

Wording Foreign City:
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Wording Foreign State/Province:

Wording Foreign Country:

Wording Foreign Zip/Postal Code:

Wording I decline the incentive:

EndSection

Spec Name Value

QuestionName END

Wording [If END_FLAG=1] 

Thank you. 

[Else] 

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, thank you for your time and cooperation. We greatly 

appreciate your participation in this study.

HelpText

Spec Name Value

Question 

Name

N12RESPCONF

Help Text Answer Yes if this is your name and you attended the institution mentioned in the 

question during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Question 

Name

N12CONSENT

Help Text The material we sent you includes information about the study and your rights as a 

participant. You may have received the material through the mail or in an email. If you 

received the information, and read it, indicate Yes, I have read the material.

If you did not receive the material, or received it but did not read it, it will be available 

to you on the next screen once you indicate No, I have not read the material.

Question 

Name

INFCON1

Help Text If you wish to participate in the survey, but do not have time right now, choose Not 

now, but I want to participate at a later time. Otherwise, indicate whether you 

would like to participate in this survey.

Question 

Name

INFCON2

Help Text If you wish to participate in the survey, but do not have time right now, choose Not 

now, but I want to participate at a later time. Otherwise, indicate whether you 

would like to participate in this survey.
12/19/11

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Question 

Name

END1

Help Text Please provide an e-mail address so that we can send you a reminder message about 

taking the survey at a later time. 

If you would like to receive a text message reminder, check the box and you will be 

taken to a screen to collect the name of your cell phone provider and your cell phone 

number.

Your participation is very important to the success of this study.

Question 

Name

END1TEXT

Help Text Please provide both the name of your cell phone service provider and your cell phone 

number. We will be unable to send you a text message reminder to complete the 

survey without both of these pieces of information.

Question 

Name

END2

Help Text Your participation is very important to the success of this study. If you would like to 

reconsider taking the survey now, you can still hit "Next" and continue on to take the 

survey. 

Otherwise, any information you can provide in the textbox for your reasons for 

choosing not to participate in the study, will help us to improve our study for future 

participants.

Question 

Name

RETRNFRM

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12ELIG

Help Text Indicate whether you attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and 

June 30, 2012.

Answer Yes if you are enrolled and actively working on something for credit at 

[Y_NPSCHL] like a thesis or field work, even if you do not currently attend classes at 

[Y_NPSCHL].

If you attended [Y_NPSCHL] for any part of the year answer Yes even if you were 

studying abroad for part of the year. However, if you were studying abroad for 

the entire year, but [Y_NPSCHL] still considered you to be a student and you are or 

were enrolled there, answer Yes, enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL] but studying/studied 

abroad for the entire 2011-2012 school year.

If you are still considered to be a student at any high school and have not earned a 

high school diploma or equivalency answer Yes, but also still attending high 

school. 

Question 

Name

N12CURENR

Help Text Indicate whether you are currently attending [Y_NPSCHL].
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Answer No if you are on a break between semesters, terms, or quarters, such as on 

summer break, and not currently attending classes. Answer Yes if you are on a spring 

or fall break in the middle of the term or semester. 

Answer Yes if you are enrolled and actively working on something for credit at 

[Y_NPSCHL] like a thesis or field work, even if you do not currently attend classes at 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Answer No if you are currently studying abroad.

Question 

Name

N12NOATT

Help Text Indicate the reason that best describes why you are not currently attending 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Indicate On break if you are on a break between semesters, terms, or quarters and 

not currently attending classes.

Indicate Completed course or program at [Y_NPSCHL] if you have completed all 

the requirements for a particular course or for a program.

Indicate Withdrew from [Y_NPSCHL] if you withdrew from [Y_NPSCHL] at some 

point after July 1, 2011 and are no longer an enrolled student at [Y_NPSCHL].

Indicate Attending a different school, but still enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL] 

(including studying abroad) if you are still an enrolled student at [Y_NPSCHL] and 

are attending a different school for a specific amount of time, but you are still earning 

credits towards your program at [Y_NPSCHL].

Indicate Taking a leave of absence from [Y_NPSCHL] if you are not attending 

[Y_NPSCHL] for a specific amount of time but you intend to return to [Y_NPSCHL].

Indicate Other Reason if none of the other options describe why you are not 

currently attending [Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12DRP

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] between July 1, 2011 

and June 30, 2012. 

If you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] before July 1, 2011, please use the PREVIOUS button 

to back up to the first question in the survey and indicate that you have not attended 

[Y_NPSCHL] at any time since July 1, 2011.

Question 

Name

N12DRPTM

Help Text Indicate whether you completed the term and then left [Y_NPSCHL], or if you left 

before the term ended.

Question 

Name

N12DRPRF

Help Text Indicate whether you (or your parents) received a full refund of tuition when you left 

[Y_NPSCHL]. 

A full refund occurs when all tuition money paid for that term is refunded to you (or 

your parents).
12/19/11

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Question 

Name

N12DRPCMP

Help Text Indicate whether you completed at least one course or term of enrollment at 

[Y_NPSCHL] at any time between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

Question 

Name

N12DRPOK

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12EVREN

Help Text Indicate whether you have ever attended [Y_NPSCHL].

To determine your eligibility for participation in this study, it is necessary to verify 

whether you attended [Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12LAST

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you last attended or were enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL] 

and [Y_NPSCHL] considered you to be a student there. 

Question 

Name

N12WHYSM

Help Text Our records indicate that you attended [Y_NPSCHL] at some time between July 1, 2011 

and June 30, 2012. 

Please try to specify a reason why your name could have been associated with 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12BACHENR

Help Text Please indicate if you are or were in a bachelor’s degree program at [Y_NPSCHL] 

between July 2011 and June 2012.

A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.

If you are unsure if you are or were in a bachelor's degree program at [Y_NPSCHL], do 

not answer this question and move on to the next question which has more program 

options and definitions.

Question 

Name

N12DEGREE

Help Text Degrees:

An associate's degree normally requires at least 2, but less than 4 years, of full-time 

equivalent college work.

A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.

A master's degree usually requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate-level work 

and may require a thesis or a practicum.

A doctoral degree-research/scholarship is a Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that 
12/19/11

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requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and 

defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of 

an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some 

examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or 

D.M., and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

A doctoral degree-professional practice is a doctor's degree that is conferred upon 

completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, 

credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a 

period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional 

and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. 

Some of these degrees include: chiropractic (D.C., or D.C.M.); dentistry (D.D.S. or 

D.M.D.); law (L.L.B. or J.D.); medicine (M.D.); optometry (O.D.), osteopathic medicine 

(D.O.); pharmacy (Pharm.D.); podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or veterinary medicine 

(D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

A doctoral degree-other is a doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a 

doctor's degree-research/scholarship or a doctor's degree-professional practice.

Certificates and Diplomas:

Undergraduate certificates or diplomas usually take less than two years to 

complete and are usually designed to equip people with the skills needed for direct 

entry to employment or to earn a license such as a cosmetology license. Other 

examples include certificates in administrative support, computer programming, and 

medical records.

A post-baccalaureate certificate provides students who already hold a bachelor's 

degree with new or additional training in an area of specialization. Certificates typically 

require fewer course hours than do master's or doctoral degrees, and do not require a 

thesis or dissertation. Examples of this include certificates in accounting, computer 

science, and human resource management.

A post-master's certificate usually requires completion of 24 semester credit hours 

beyond the master's degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees 

at the doctoral level.

Not enrolled for a degree or certificate:

Undergraduate level classes means taking courses at the undergraduate level but 

not formally enrolling in a degree or certificate program of any sort.

Graduate level classes are for students who already hold an undergraduate degree 

or certificate and who are enrolled in graduate-level courses beyond a bachelor's 

degree, but who are not formally enrolled in a graduate degree program.

Question 

Name

N12UGSTATVER

Help Text You have indicated being enrolled in a bachelor's degree program and a graduate 

degree program at [Y_NPSCHL] at the same time. If that is not correct, please back up 

to the previous question and correct your answer.

Answer Yes to this question if the majority of your coursework is still undergraduatelevel coursework in a bachelor’s degree program and you have not yet completed the 

requirements to be awarded your bachelor's degree.

A bachelor’s degree is considered an undergraduate degree and is usually awarded 

by a 4-year college or university and usually requires at least 4 years of full-time, 

college-level work.

Question 

Name

N12ASSOC
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Help Text The AA (Associate of Arts) degree typically requires 2 years of study and is designed 

for persons planning traditional liberal arts education in such fields as art, English, and 

history.

The AS (Associate of Science) degree typically requires 2 years of study and is 

designed for persons planning professional careers in mathematics, science, 

engineering, or health.

The AAS (Associate of Applied Science) degree usually requires 2 years of study 

and is designed for persons who desire training for specific occupations or technical 

careers.

The AGS (Associate of General Studies) and AGE (Associate of General 

Education) degrees are intended for students who wish to earn an associate's degree 

with no specific major or pattern of courses. As a result, it provides students with the 

flexibility to design their program of study either for upgrading skills for a job or 

occupation, or for transfer to a 4-year school.

If your associate's degree type is not listed choose among the most appropriate Other

options.

Question 

Name

N12DGMS

Help Text The most common master's degrees are listed by name and abbreviation. If your 

master's degree is not listed, choose Other master's degree not listed. 

Question 

Name

N12DGD

Help Text The most common doctoral degrees are listed by name and abbreviation. If your 

doctoral degree is not listed, choose Other Doctoral degree not listed. 

Question 

Name

N12DGPP

Help Text The most common professional practice doctoral degrees are listed by name and 

abbreviation. If your degree is not listed, choose Other professional practice 

doctoral degree not listed.

Question 

Name

N12CKHOUR

Help Text Indicate whether your program at [Y_NPSCHL] requires a total of at least 3 months or 

300 hours of instruction for you to be awarded your certificate or diploma. This 

information is important in determining your eligibility for this study.

Question 

Name

N12RMCRD

Help Text Sometimes remedial classes are also called developmental classes, pre-curriculum 

classes, basic skills classes, or have other names as designated by the school. 

If you have taken only these types of courses in the 2011-2012 school year at 

[Y_NPSCHL] answer Yes.

Question 

Name

N12ELCRD
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Help Text Courses for credit are those that could be applied to a formal degree program. Do not 

count courses taken purely for personal interest or recreation.

Question 

Name

N12BYE

Help Text We apologize for any inconvenience. We will review your responses and will contact 

you if we determine that you are eligible to participate in this survey. Please call our 

help desk at 1-877-677-2766 if you have any questions.

Question 

Name

N12DIPL

Help Text A high school diploma is awarded to students after successful completion of the 

required courses at a high school. This category also includes Adult High School 

Diplomas.

The GED (General Educational Development) certificate or other equivalent 

credential allows those who did not finish high school to earn the equivalent of a high 

school diploma by completing classes and passing required exams.

A high school completion certificate indicates that you attended high school for 

the minimum number of days required for completion but did not complete all 

graduation requirements (for example, did not pass the number of courses required for 

a diploma).

If you completed high school in a country other than the United States, indicate 

attended a foreign high school.

If you did not attend a traditional public or private high school but instead were taught 

at home by a parent or some other individual, indicate home schooled.

If you have not yet completed high school, indicate Did not complete high school 

or a high school equivalency program. 

Question 

Name

N12HSGRAD

Help Text Indicate the month and year in which you completed high school, a GED, or a high 

school equivalency program. If you are unsure, provide your best guess of the date.

Question 

Name

N12HSCMP

Help Text Indicate whether you were completing high school requirements for the entire time 

you attended [Y_NPSCHL] since July 1, 2011. 

If you completed your high school requirements at some point between July 1, 2011 

and June 30, 2012 and then continued attending [Y_NPSCHL], answer No.

Question 

Name

N12PRDG

Help Text Tell us about any degrees or certificates that you've already earned from any college, 

university, or trade school, including [Y_NPSCHL], since high school. 

For example, if you are currently working on a graduate degree and have already 

earned a bachelor's degree, answer Yes. Or, if you are currently working on a 

bachelor's degree and have already earned an associate's degree, answer Yes.
12/19/11

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Question 

Name

N12OTDG

Help Text An undergraduate certificate or diploma usually takes less than two years and is 

usually designed to equip people with the skills needed for direct entry to employment 

or to earn a license such as a cosmetology license. Other examples include certificates 

in administrative support, computer programming, and medical records.

An associate's degree (AA, AS, AAS, AGE, etc.) normally requires at least 2, but 

less than 4 years, of full-time equivalent college work.

A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.

A post-baccalaureate certificate provides students who already hold a bachelor's 

degree with new or additional training in an area of specialization. Certificates typically 

require fewer course hours than do master's or doctoral degrees, and do not require a 

thesis or dissertation. Examples of this include certificates in accounting, computer 

science, and human resource management.

A master's degree (MA, MS, MBA, MFA, etc.) usually requires at least 2 years of 

full-time graduate-level work and may require a thesis or a practicum.

A post-master's certificate usually requires completion of 24 semester credit hours 

beyond the master's degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees 

at the doctoral level.

A doctoral degree-research/scholarship is a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree that 

requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and 

defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of 

an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some 

examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or 

D.M., and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

A doctoral degree-professional practice is a doctoral degree that is conferred 

upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, 

credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a 

period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional 

and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. 

Some of these degrees include: chiropractic (D.C., or D.C.M.); dentistry (D.D.S. or 

D.M.D.); law (L.L.B. or J.D.); medicine (M.D.); optometry (O.D.), osteopathic medicine 

(D.O.); pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or veterinary medicine 

(D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

A doctoral degree-other is a doctoral degree that does not meet the definition of a 

doctoral degree-research/scholarship or a doctoral degree-professional practice.

Question 

Name

N12PRBDAT

Help Text Indicate the month and year in which you completed your bachelor's degree. If you've 

already been awarded more than one bachelor's degree, tell us about the date you 

received your first bachelor's degree. If you are unsure, provide your best estimate of 

the date.

Question 

Name

N12NFST

Help Text If you began attending [Y_NPSCHL] in the same month and year that you began 

attending a different college, university, or trade school after completing your high 

school requirements, answer Yes.
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A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12FSTSTR

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you first attended any college, university or trade 

school.

If you are unsure of the date, provide your best guess.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12SCHSTR

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you first attended [Y_NPSCHL] after completing your 

high school requirements. Indicate the date that you first attended [Y_NPSCHL] even if 

that was not in the 2011-2012 school year. 

If you are unsure of the date, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12CDTCHK

Help Text Knowing if you first attended [Y_NPSCHL] on or after July 1, 2011 will help us ask you 

the proper questions in this interview.

If you attended [Y_NPSCHL] at any time after completing your high school 

requirements and before July 1, 2011 answer No.

Question 

Name

N12PGMST

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you first began your [T_DEGREN] at [Y_NPSCHL] 

even if you did not begin in the 2011-2012 school year. 

If you are unsure, provide your best guess of the date.

Question 

Name

N12NENRL

Help Text Indicate all months of your attendance at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year, 

not just the beginning and ending months.

(Leave a box for a month blank if you did not attend during any part of that month at 

all. If you attended [Y_NPSCHL] for all months in the year, click the Check All 

Months button. If you attended [Y_NPSCHL] for most months in the year you can click 

the Check All Months button and uncheck any month you did not attend by clicking 

on the box for that month once it is checked.)

Question 

Name

N12STST

Help Text The following are examples of standard full-time loads and may vary by school.

Students who are enrolled as a full-time student typically carry at least:

• 12 semester or quarter hours per term at the undergraduate level or 9 credit 

hours per term at the graduate level; 

• 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours per academic year for an educational 

program using credit hours for a program of less than one academic year; or
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• 24 clock hours per week for an educational program using clock hours

Question 

Name

N12PGMFT

Help Text The following are examples of standard full-time loads and may vary by institution.

Students who are enrolled as a full-time student typically carry at least:

• 9 credit hours per term at the graduate level;

• 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours per academic year for an educational 

program using credit hours for a program of less than one academic year; or

• 24 clock hours per week for an educational program using clock hours

Question 

Name

N12NEW01

Help Text Indicate whether you have attended any other colleges, universities, or trade schools--

not including [Y_NPSCHL]--between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12SCH01

Help Text Do not type [Y_NPSCHL] into the textbox, or the name of a high school.

Only colleges, universities, and trade schools within the United States and Puerto Rico 

are included in the database. To indicate a foreign school, provide the name of the 

school in the textbox, select "FOREIGN COUNTRY" in the dropdown box, click Enter, 

and then provide the requested information.

For all other schools: 

First type the school name into the textbox, then choose the state where the school is 

located from the dropdown box and type in the city of the school or choose a city by 

clicking on List Cities. Last click Enter and a list of schools matching your responses 

will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click Select next to the name and location of the school 

and click Ok on the confirmation box if this is the school. You will then be taken to the 

next question in the survey.

Click Cancel on the confirmation box if this is not the school you wish to choose and 

review the other options that were returned.

If the school you entered in the textbox is not listed at all, try the search again, this 

time removing the city name. If the school is still not listed, click None of the above

at the bottom of the list of schools and provide the requested information.

Question 

Name

N12ENRL01

Help Text Check all months of your attendance at this school in the 2011-2012 school year, not 

just the beginning and ending months.

(Leave a box for a month blank if you did not attend during any part of that month at 

all. If you attended this school for all months in the year, click the Check All Months

button. If you attended this school for most months in the year you can click the 

Check All Months button and uncheck any month you did not attend by clicking on 

the box for that month once it is checked.)
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Question 

Name

N12STS01

Help Text The following are examples of standard full-time loads and may vary by school.

Students who are enrolled as a full-time student typically carry at least:

• 12 semester or quarter hours per term at the undergraduate level or 9 credit 

hours per term at the graduate level;

• 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours per academic year for an educational 

program using credit hours for a program of less than one academic year

• 24 clock hours per week for an educational program using clock hours

Question 

Name

N12NEW02

Help Text Indicate whether you have attended any other colleges, universities, or trade schools--

other than those already listed--between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12ATTOTHSCH

Help Text Indicate whether you have ever attended another college, university or trade school 

besides [Y_NPSCHL] for any period of time since you completed your high school 

requirements.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12EVR4YR

Help Text Indicate whether, after completing your high school requirements, you have ever 

attended a four-year college or university. Community colleges and trade schools are 

not usually four-year schools.

Answer No if you have only attended two-year or less-than-two-year schools, even if 

you have attended those schools for a total of four years or more.

Question 

Name

N12EVRCC

Help Text Community colleges are public two-year schools that primarily offer certificates and 

associate's degrees, as well as non-credit courses. A few community colleges also offer 

bachelor's degrees. 

Answer Yes if you have attended a community college at any time after completing 

your high school requirements.

Question 

Name

N12CMPDGN

Help Text If you have not yet completed your degree requirements but will complete them soon, 

answer No. A later question will ask when you expect to complete your degree 

requirements.
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Question 

Name

N12DGN

Help Text Select the month and year in which you were awarded your [T_DEGREN] from 

[Y_NPSCHL]. If you completed your requirements on one date and were awarded your 

[T_DEGREN] at a later date, indicate the later date when you were awarded your 

degree. 

If you are unsure of the date, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12UGYR

Help Text Report your class level or year at [Y_NPSCHL]. Your level is based on the number of 

credits completed and not on the amount of time you have spent in the program. If 

you are no longer attending [Y_NPSCHL], indicate your level when you were last there.

For example, if you have been enrolled for 2 years but have not yet earned enough 

credits to be classified as a sophomore, indicate First year or freshman. Likewise, if 

you are in your first year at [Y_NPSCHL] but you have transferred enough credits from 

another school that [Y_NPSCHL] considers you to be a junior or third year student, 

indicate Third year or junior.

If you are earning your associate's degree, remember that in your second year you 

are considered a Second year or sophomore, not a senior.

Question 

Name

N12CLKNUM

Help Text Indicate the total number of months or hours of instruction, whichever is more relevant 

to your program, that you have already completed at [Y_NPSCHL].

Include any months or hours of instruction in your program that you may have 

completed at [Y_NPSCHL] prior to the 2011-2012 school year, and up through today.

Question 

Name

N12REASON

Help Text From the options provided, please indicate the one reason that best describes why you 

decided to enroll in classes at [Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12GRYR

Help Text Report how much time you have spent working on your [T_DEGREN]. If you are no 

longer enrolled, indicate how much time you had spent when you were last enrolled.

Question 

Name

N12EXPN

Help Text Indicate the month and year that you expect to complete the requirements for your 

[T_DEGREN]. This date may or may not be the same date you expect to be awarded 

your [T_DEGREN].

If you do not expect to ever complete the requirements for your [T_DEGREN], indicate 

Will not finish the [T_DEGREN]. 

Indicate Don't know if you cannot provide your best guess of the date when you 
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expect to finish your [T_DEGREN].

Question 

Name

N12EXNCONF

Help Text Choose a value between 0 and 10 to indicate how likely it is that you think you will 

finish your [T_DEGREN] by the date indicated, where a 0 means that there is "no 

chance at all" that you will finish your [T_DEGREN] by the date indicated and a 10 

means you are "absolutely certain" you will finish your [T_DEGREN] by the date 

indicated.

You do not have to consider whether you will finish your [T_DEGREN] at [Y_NPSCHL] 

when answering this question.

Question 

Name

N12EXNCONF2

Help Text Choose a value between 0 and 10 to indicate how likely it is that you think you will 

finish your [T_DEGREN] at all, where a 0 means that there is "no chance at all" that 

you will finish your [T_DEGREN] and a 10 means you are "absolutely certain" you will 

finish your [T_DEGREN].

You do not have to consider whether you will finish your [T_DEGREN] at [Y_NPSCHL] 

when answering this question.

Question 

Name

N12ENRNEXT

Help Text Choose a value between 0 and 10 to indicate how likely it is that you will be enrolled 

for your [T_DEGREN] next term, where a 0 means that there is "no chance at all" that 

you will enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] next term and a 10 means you are "absolutely 

certain" that you will be enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] next term.

You do not have to consider whether you will be enrolled for your [T_DEGREN] at 

[Y_NPSCHL] when answering this question.

Question 

Name

N12EXPBA

Help Text Answer Yes if you think there is any possibility you will continue on to a bachelor’s 

degree program wihin the next five years, even if you will work on a bachelor's degree 

program at a different school than [Y_NPSCHL]. 

Question 

Name

N12DOB

Help Text Please indicate the month and year that you were born. This information will help us to 

ask you appropriate questions in the interview.

Question 

Name

N12LT30

Help Text Please indicate the category in which your age fits. This information will help us to ask 

you appropriate questions in the interview.
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Question 

Name

N12MINOK

Help Text Please indicate whether or not you have turned 18 years old as of today.

Question 

Name

N12MINOR

Help Text Please provide the requested contact information for a parent (or guardian) so we may 

contact him or her for consent to conduct an interview with you.

Verify the spelling of all contact information provided. (The zip code can be used to 

automatically fill in the city and state associated with that zip code. To do this, first 

enter the zip code and then click Automatically fill city and state from zip code).

Question 

Name

N12MARR

Help Text Indicate your current marital status. If you are not currently married, please indicate 

whether you are Single, never married; Living with partner; Separated; 

Divorced; or Widowed.

This information will help us to ask you appropriate questions in the interview.

Question 

Name

N12GENDR

Help Text Please indicate your gender. This item is critical to helping us better understand who 

enters and completes education beyond high school.

Question 

Name

N12HSTYP

Help Text Public high schools are supported by tax money collected from federal and local 

government systems.

Private high schools are tuition-based. For example, students who attend must pay 

tuition, or their tuition is paid through some private type of assistance.

If you attended high school outside the United States or Puerto Rico, indicate Last 

attended a foreign high school.

While most charter high schools are public schools, some are private.

Question 

Name

N12HSCDR

Help Text First type the high school name into the textbox, then choose the state where the high 

school is located from the dropdown box and type in the city of the school or choose a 

city by clicking on List Cities. Last click Enter and a list of schools matching your 

responses will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click Select next to the name and address of your 

school and click Ok on the confirmation box if this is your high school. You will then be 

taken to the next question in the survey.

Click Cancel on the confirmation box if this is not your high school and review the 

other options that were returned.

If your school is not listed at all, try the search again, this time removing the city 

name. If the school is still not listed, click None of the above at the bottom of the list 
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of schools and provide the requested information.

Question 

Name

N12HSGPES

Help Text Estimate your overall grades by indicating what letter grades you usually received in 

your courses in high school. 

Although some schools provide weighted grades for honors, Advanced Placement (AP), 

or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes, please respond based on the unweighted 

grades you received.

Question 

Name

N12MATHHT

Help Text Math courses are usually taken in a sequence with ideas in early courses required for 

more complicated work in later courses. Indicate the highest math course you took in 

high school. 

If you did not take any math courses in high school or if the highest math course you 

took is not provided, indicate None of these.

Question 

Name

N12APIBCOLL

Help Text Advanced placement (AP) courses offer students the opportunity to study a subject 

area in greater depth than is provided in a standard high school course. The AP course 

prepares the student to take a standardized AP test. Answer Yes if you took any AP 

courses even if you did not take the AP exams or took the exams but did not earn 

college credit from the score.

Answer Yes if you participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma 

Program, which is normally offered over the course of two years in high school. In 

order to participate in the IB Diploma Program, you must have attended a World 

School authorized by the IB organization to offer the Diploma Program. Answer Yes if 

you took any IB courses even if you did not take the IB exam or earn the IB diploma.

Students can also earn college credit during high school by taking other college-level 

courses such as through a dual-enrollment program with a college. Do not include any 

AP or IB courses in this answer. 

Question 

Name

N12ACTSAT

Help Text The SAT and ACT are college entrance exams designed to assess high school students' 

general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work.

The SAT (SAT Reasoning Test, formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized test 

for college admissions. The SAT consists of three major sections: Critical Reading, 

Mathematics, and Writing. Each section receives a score on the scale of 200 to 800 

with a maximum total score of 2400.

The ACT is divided into four multiple choice subject tests: English, mathematics, 

reading, and science reasoning, with an optional writing section. Subject test scores 

range from 1 to 36. 

Question 

Name

SUPINSTRUCT
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Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12PARSUPP

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

Base your response on encouragement from your parents for you to stay in college in 

general during the 2011-2012 school year, rather than their encouragement for you to

stay at a particular college.

By "college" we mean a university, college, or trade school that you attend after high 

school. A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12PARDED

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

Base your response on encouragement from your parents for you to stay in college in 

general during the 2011-2012 school year, rather than their encouragement for you to 

stay at a particular college.

By "college" we mean a university, college, or trade school that you attend after high 

school. A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12SPPSUPP

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

Base your response on your spouse's encouragement for you to stay in college in 

general during the 2011-2012 school year, rather than his or her encouragement for 

you to stay at a particular college.

By "college" we mean a university, college, or trade school that you attend after high 

school. A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12FSSUPP

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

When thinking about friends from [Y_NPSCHL], do not include family members or other 

relatives, even if they also attend [Y_NPSCHL].

If you do not consider any of your classmates at [Y_NPSCHL] to be your friends, base 

your response on the students at [Y_NPSCHL] with whom you interact the most.

Base your response on the encouragement of these friends from [Y_NPSCHL] for you 

to stay in college in general during the 2011-2012 school year, rather than their 

encouragement for you to stay at a particular college.

By "college" we mean a university, college, or trade school that you attend after high 

school. A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12FHSUPP
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Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

When thinking about your friends from home for this question, do not include family 

members or other relatives.

Base your response on the encouragement of these friends from home for you to stay 

in college in general during the 2011-2012 school year, rather than their 

encouragement for you to stay at a particular college.

By "college" we mean a university, college, or trade school that you attend after high 

school. A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

SUPPORTEND

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12DBLMAJ

Help Text Indicate whether or not you have already declared a major (or field of study) at 

[Y_NPSCHL]. 

If you have more than one declared major (or field of study), indicate Yes, I 

have/had declared a double major.

Indicate No if you have not yet declared your major, even if you know what you would 

like to major in.

Question 

Name

N12DECIDEMAJ

Help Text If you know what your major will be, even though you have not officially declared your 

major, answer Yes. You will be asked in the next question to tell us what that intended 

major is. If you don't know what your major will be, answer No.

Question 

Name

N12CLSTY

Help Text Please indicate your primary field or subject at [Y_NPSCHL]. If you have taken more

than one primary field or subject, please indicate the field or subject in which you have 

taken the most courses.

If you are unable to categorize your courses into a primary field or subject because all 

of your courses are or were meant for transfer to another school, indicate University 

transfer.

For any field or subject not listed, indicate Other.

Question 

Name

N12MAJ1

Help Text Please do not enter a minor or concentration in the textbox.

To enter your major (or field of study): 

First type your major at [Y_NPSCHL] into the textbox, then click "Enter" and a list of 

majors that most closely match your entry will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click "Select" next to the major that most closely 

matches your entry and click "Ok" on the confirmation box if this is your major. You 

will then be taken to the next question in the survey.
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Click "Cancel" on the confirmation box if the description of the major does not closely 

match the major you entered and review the other options that were returned. If your 

major is not listed in the list of majors displayed, click "None of the above" at the 

bottom of the list of majors and as best you can, choose descriptions of the major from 

the dropdown boxes that appear.

If you indicated earlier that you have formally declared a double major, enter only one 

major here. You will have an opportunity to provide your other major next.

If you intend to have a double major but have not yet declared any major, choose 

only one intended major to tell us about.

Question 

Name

N12MAJ2

Help Text Because you indicated earlier that you have a double major (or field of study), enter 

only one major (or field of study) here. You should have already entered your other 

major (or field of study) in a previous question. Please do not enter a minor or 

concentration in the textbox.

To enter your second major (or field of study): 

First type your second major at [Y_NPSCHL] into the textbox, then click "Enter" and a 

list of majors that most closely match your entry will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click "Select" next to the major that most closely 

matches your entry and click "Ok" on the confirmation box if this is your major. You 

will then be taken to the next question in the survey.

Click "Cancel" on the confirmation box if the description of the major does not closely 

match the major you entered and review the other options that were returned. If your 

second major is not listed in the list of majors displayed, click "None of the above" at 

the bottom of the list of majors and as best you can, choose descriptions of your 

second major from the dropdown boxes that appear.

Question 

Name

N12MJCHGNUM

Help Text Formally changing your major typically involves submitting a form, either on paper or 

online, to the registrar or dean to change your declared major.

Question 

Name

N12OMJ1A

Help Text Do not enter your current major. If you have changed your major more than once at 

[Y_NPSCHL], enter your first declared major at [Y_NPSCHL].

To enter your original major:

First type your original declared major at [Y_NPSCHL] into the textbox, then click

Enter and a list of majors that most closely match your entry will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click Select next to the major that most closely 

matches your entry and click Ok on the confirmation box if this is your original 

declared major. You will then be taken to the next question in the survey.

Click Cancel on the confirmation box if the description of the major does not closely 

match the major you entered and review the other options that were returned. If your 

original declared major is not listed in the list of majors displayed, click None of the 

above at the bottom of the list of majors and as best you can, choose descriptions of 

the major from the dropdown boxes that appear.

Question N12PREACDEFF
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Name

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

"Success as a student" may involve a variety of factors, such as doing well in your 

classes and improving your skills. 

Question 

Name

N12CURACDEFF

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

"Success as a student" may be defined in a number of ways including, but not 

limited to, doing well in your classes and/or your level of comfort with what you are 

learning.

Question 

Name

N12FACULTY

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

Interactions with your teachers can include all types of communication. You may 

interact with your teachers in class, during office hours, through email, through an oncampus job or student group, or in other ways.

Question 

Name

N12ACDSATIS

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

By "satisfied with my studies" we mean the degree to which the content and 

quality of your classes at [Y_NPSCHL] meet or met your expectations.

Question 

Name

N12KNOWCLAS

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question.

When answering this question, consider your understanding of the coursework and any 

other requirements [Y_NPSCHL] has for you to finish your [T_DEGREN] program.

Question 

Name

SCLENDSET

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12GPATYP

Help Text Please indicate whether your grade point average (GPA) at [Y_NPSCHL] is measured on 

a 4.00 scale (where A=4.00, B=3.00, C=2.00, D=1.00, and F=0.00).

If you have not received grades yet, but you know how your GPA is measured at 

[Y_NPSCHL], select the appropriate option from the list.
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If you do not know how your GPA is measured at [Y_NPSCHL], select Don't know.

Question 

Name

N12GPA

Help Text Report your numeric overall GPA in all classes at [Y_NPSCHL] through the end of your 

most recent term there in the 2011-2012 school year. You may enter your GPA using 

two decimal places (for example, 3.25).

In general, a 4.00 is an A average, a 3.00 is a B average, a 2.00 is a C average, and a 

1.00 is a D average.

If you have not received grades yet, do not report a GPA, instead indicate Not 

applicable, have not yet earned GPA.

Question 

Name

N12GPAEST

Help Text Select the letter grade or grades that you usually receive in your courses.

If the letter grades listed do not describe the type of grades you earn at [Y_NPSCHL], 

choose I would describe my grades differently than what is listed here.

If you are unable to provide letter grades and there is no different description of your 

grades at [Y_NPSCHL], choose Don't know my grades.

Question 

Name

N12REMEVER

Help Text Sometimes remedial classes are also called developmental classes, pre-curriculum 

classes, basic skills classes, or have other names as designated by the school.

If you failed a course in the standard curriculum and had to take the same course over 

again, do not count this course as a remedial course.

You do not have to consider whether you took remedial classes at [Y_NPSCHL] only 

when answering this question. Answer Yes if you took any remedial courses at any 

schools since you completed high school. 

Question 

Name

N12REMSY

Help Text Remedial or developmental courses are used to help strengthen your skills before you 

take your first college-level course in math, reading, or other subjects. Students are 

usually assigned to remedial courses on the basis of a placement test taken before the 

school year begins. Often, remedial courses do not count for credit toward graduation.

Sometimes remedial classes are also called developmental classes, pre-curriculum 

classes, basic skills classes, or have other names as designated by the school.

If you failed a course in the standard curriculum and had to take the same course over 

again, do not count this course as a remedial course.

You do not have to consider whether you took remedial classes at [Y_NPSCHL] only 

when answering this question. Answer Yes if you took any remedial courses at any 

schools during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Question 

Name

N12REMTYPNUM
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Help Text Remedial or developmental courses are used to help strengthen your skills before you 

take your first college-level course in math, reading, or other subjects. Students are 

usually assigned to remedial courses on the basis of a placement test taken before the 

school year begins. Often, remedial courses do not count for credit toward graduation.

Sometimes remedial classes are also called developmental classes, pre-curriculum 

classes, basic skills classes, or have other names as designated by the school.

You do not have to consider whether you took remedial classes at [Y_NPSCHL] only 

when answering this question. Count the number of times you took remedial courses in 

each of these topic areas at any schools during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012). 

Count each remedial course you have taken in only one topic area. For example, count 

a course in either the Reading OR Writing category, but do not count one course in 

BOTH the Reading and Writing categories. If a course had aspects of more than one 

topic area in the curriculum, count it under the topic area that received the most focus 

during the course.

English –Topics may include, but are not limited to, general English language skills.

Math –Topics may include, but are not limited to, pre-algebra and elementary algebra. 

Reading –Topics may include, but are not limited to, reading comprehension and 

vocabulary. 

Writing –Topics may include, but are not limited to, grammar, word choice, spelling, 

punctuation, sentence structure, and composition. 

Question 

Name

N12ALTGATE

Help Text When answering this question, consider only the course sections in which you are or 

were enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), rather than all sections that were available.

Only online courses have no in-person components; students access their instruction 

over the Internet.

Night courses start after 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 

nights.

Weekend courses are courses that start after 6:00 p.m. on Friday or take place any 

time on Saturday or Sunday.

Question 

Name

N12ALTCRS

Help Text When answering this question, consider only the course sections in which you are or 

were enrolled at [Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), rather than all sections that were available.

Online only courses have no in-person components; students access their instruction 

over the Internet.

Night courses start after 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 

nights. Courses starting after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights are 

considered weekend courses and should not be included in the At night courses 

category.

Weekend courses are courses that start after 6:00 p.m. on Friday or take place any 

time on Saturday or Sunday.

If any of your classes have an at night or weekend component, you can answer Some

for that category.

If you answered All for any of the three categories, you should select it for only one of 

the categories.
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Question 

Name

N12ONLINEPGM

Help Text Indicate whether your [T_DEGREN] program is or was an entirely online program when 

you last attended [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June, 30, 

2012). 

In online programs students access all of their coursework over the Internet.

Question 

Name

N12ONLINE

Help Text Indicate whether the availability of online classes (or an online program) had an 

important effect on your decision to enroll at [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

In online courses (or programs) students access their instruction over the Internet.

Question 

Name

N12ATNIGHT

Help Text Indicate whether the availability of night classes had an important effect on your 

decision to attend [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012).

Night courses start after 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday 

nights.

Courses starting after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights are considered 

weekend courses and should not be considered in your answer.

Question 

Name

N12ONWKND

Help Text Indicate whether the availability of weekend classes had an important effect on your 

decision to attend [Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012). 

Weekend courses are courses that start after 6:00 p.m. on Friday or take place any 

time on Saturday or Sunday.

Question 

Name

N12SCALEINT

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12PEERINT

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question. Refer to the 2011-2012 school year when answering the question.

Interactions with other [Y_NPSCHL] students include all opportunities for 

communication. You may interact with other [Y_NPSCHL] students in class, socially, in 

dormitories or dining facilities, through email or online discussion forums, through a 

student group or athletic team, or in other ways.

Question 

Name

N12SENSBELNG
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Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question. Refer to the 2011-2012 school year when answering the question.

Consider such factors as participation in school activities, feeling valued and accepted 

by others at [Y_NPSCHL], and sharing common goals and values with others at 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12SOCSATIS

Help Text On a scale from 1 to 5, indicate your level of agreement with the statement in the 

question. Refer to the 2011-2012 school year when answering the question.

Your social experience may involve participation in formal student groups, informal 

social activities and events, online social networking and other online communication, 

or other activities.

Question 

Name

SCLLASTSET

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12SRVUSE

Help Text Indicate each type of school service that you have used during the 2011-2012 school 

year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

You do not have to consider whether you used these services at [Y_NPSCHL] only 

when answering this question. Indicate the services you used at any schools (since 

high school) that you attended in the 2011-2012 school year.

Receiving financial aid in itself would not be considered use of financial aid 

counseling or advice at a school, but receiving guidance on the financial aid process 

from the financial aid office would. Similarly, having health insurance would not be 

considered using student health services, but visiting the health clinic at a school 

would.

If you did not use any services at any schools (since completing high school) in the 

2011-2012 school year, answer Did not use any services.

Question 

Name

N12SRVIMPT

Help Text For each service listed, indicate how important that particular service was in your 

decision to stay in school.

Question 

Name

N12EXPEVR

Help Text Indicate the highest level of education that you ever expect to complete at any school. 

If you do not plan to pursue any education beyond what you are currently working on, 

enter your current degree or program.

Undergraduate level courses, no undergraduate degree or certificate

expected means taking courses at the undergraduate level but not expecting to 

formally enroll in a degree or certificate program of any sort.

Undergraduate certificates or diplomas usually take less than two years to 

complete and are usually designed to equip people with the skills needed for direct 
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entry to employment or to earn a license such as a cosmetology license. Other 

examples include certificates in administrative support, computer programming, and 

medical records.

An associate's degree normally requires at least 2, but less than 4 years, of full-time 

equivalent college work.

A bachelor's degree is usually awarded by a 4-year college or university and usually 

requires at least 4 years of full-time, college-level work.

Graduate level courses, no graduate degree or certificate expected means 

already holding an undergraduate degree or certificate and enrolling in graduate-level 

courses beyond a bachelor's degree, but not expecting to formally enroll in a graduate 

degree program.

A post-baccalaureate certificate provides students who already hold a bachelor's 

degree with new or additional training in an area of specialization. Certificates typically 

require fewer course hours than do master's or doctoral degrees, and do not require a 

thesis or dissertation. Examples of this include certificates in accounting, computer 

science, and human resource management.

A master's degree usually requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate-level work 

and may require a thesis or a practicum. 

A post-master's certificate usually requires completion of 24 semester credit hours 

beyond the master's degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees 

at the doctoral level.

A doctoral degree, research/scholarship is a Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that 

requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and 

defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of 

an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some 

examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or 

D.M., and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

A professional doctoral degree is a doctor's degree that is conferred upon 

completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, 

credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a 

period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional 

and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. 

Some of these degrees include: chiropractic (D.C., or D.C.M.); dentistry (D.D.S. or 

D.M.D.); law (L.L.B. or J.D.); medicine (M.D.); optometry (O.D.), osteopathic medicine 

(D.O.); pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or veterinary medicine 

(D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

Question 

Name

N12PRFDOCTYP

Help Text Indicate which specific degree you expect to complete someday.

Answer Other degree not listed if you expect to complete a degree that is not in the 

list provided.

Question 

Name

N12OCCINTRO

Help Text Imagine the scenario described in the question wording when answering the next few 

questions. You can use your best guess to answer these questions.
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Question 

Name

N12EXOCC

Help Text First type the job title of the job you expect to have into the first textbox, then type a 

couple words to describe some expected job duties of this job into the second textbox. 

Last click Enter and a list of jobs that most closely match your entries will be 

displayed.

From the responses displayed, click Select next to the job that most closely matches 

your entry and click Ok on the confirmation box if this is your intended job. You will 

then be taken to the next question in the survey.

Click Cancel on the confirmation box if the job listed does not closely match the job 

you entered and review the other options that were returned.

If your intended job is not listed in the list of jobs displayed, click None of the above

at the bottom of the list of jobs and as best you can, choose descriptions of the job 

from the dropdown boxes that appear.

Please only select Don't know occupation if you are unable to provide your best 

guess of your intended job.

Question 

Name

N12OCCCOM

Help Text Choose a value between 0 and 10 to indicate how likely is it that you will hold your 

intended job at the time period indicated in the question, where a 0 means that there 

is "no chance at all" that you will hold this job and a 10 means you are "absolutely 

certain" that you will hold this job.

If you already hold the job described in the question, indicate Already hold intended 

job and do not answer with a value from 0 to 10. (Then, hit Next to continue to the 

next question in the survey.)

Question 

Name

N12INTENDJOB

Help Text Choose a value between 0 and 10 to indicate how likely is it that you will hold your 

intended job at the time period indicated in the question, where a 0 means that there 

is "no chance at all" that you will hold this job and a 10 means you are "absolutely 

certain" that you will hold this job.

If you already hold the job described in the question, indicate Already hold intended 

job and do not answer with a value from 0 to 10. (Then, hit Next to continue to the 

next question in the survey.)

Question 

Name

N12FUTRWAGES

Help Text For your expected yearly salary, indicate your average expected yearly salary. For 

your highest expected yearly salary, imagine the most money you think you could 

make. For your lowest expected yearly salary, imagine the least amount of money you 

think you could make.

Provide your answer in terms of current dollars; ignore the impact of inflation. If you 

are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12EXPWGABB
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Help Text Indicate your average expected yearly salary once you finish your education.

Provide your answer in terms of current dollars; ignore the impact of inflation. If you 

are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12EDBENEFTS

Help Text For each item listed, indicate how important you think each one is compared to salary 

when choosing a job.

Leisure means doing things that you think are fun or relaxing, either with friends or 

on your own.

Question 

Name

N12OTGRNTAID

Help Text Indicate whether you received benefits, grants or scholarships in any of the specific 

categories listed for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Include 

benefits, grants, or scholarships you received for all schools you attended in 2011-

2012. The below types of aid may come to you directly or may be given to the financial 

aid office at your school.

Grants and scholarships are types of money that you receive for school that do not 

have to be repaid.

Veteran's education benefits include programs administered by the U.S. 

Department of Veterans Affairs, including such programs as the GI Bill (for example, 

Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill) and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program 

(REAP).

Some employers offer grants or scholarships as a possible benefit to employees and 

their dependents. Employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement is one form this benefit 

can take.

A variety of private organizations award grants or scholarships. Examples include 

the UNCF, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, corporate foundations (for example, 

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation), and civic and religious organizations.

Do not report grants or scholarships received from [Y_NPSCHL] or other 

schools you may have attended in the 2011-2012 school year in this question, even if 

these schools are private institutions. Also do not include any student loan amounts 

here; there are separate questions that ask about student loans.

Question 

Name

N12OTGRNTAMT

Help Text Provide the total amount you received for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-

June 30, 2012) for each type of benefit, grant or scholarship listed. Include benefits, 

grants, or scholarships you received for all schools you attended in 2011-2012. The 

below types of aid may come to you directly or may be given to the financial aid office 

at your school.

Grants and scholarships are types of money that you receive for school that do not 

have to be repaid.

Veteran's education benefits include programs administered by the U.S. 

Department of Veterans Affairs, including such programs as the GI Bill (for example, 

Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill) and the Reserve Educational Assistance Program 

(REAP).

Some employers offer grants or scholarships as a possible benefit to employees and 

their dependents. Employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement is one form this benefit 
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can take.

A variety of private organizations award grants or scholarships. Examples include 

the UNCF, National Merit Scholarship Corporation, corporate foundations (for example., 

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation), and civic and religious organizations.

Do not report grants or scholarships received from [Y_NPSCHL] or other 

schools you may have attended in the 2011-2012 school year in this question, even if 

these schools are private institutions. Also do not include any student loan amounts 

here; there are separate questions that ask about student loans.

Question 

Name

N12RCVLN

Help Text Indicate whether you received any student loans for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012). Include money borrowed for all schools you attended in 2011-

2012.

Student loans are money that you borrowed for school that you will have to repay. 

Student loans can be from either government or private sources, including 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Examples of federal student loans are subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, 

Perkins Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans.

Some examples of commonly used private loans include Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan, 

Chase Select Loan, loans from credit unions, and loans from states such as NYHELPs.

Question 

Name

N12APPAID

Help Text Indicate whether you applied for financial aid for any portion of the 2011-2012 school 

year by completing application forms such as the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal 

Student Aid) or those required by a state agency, private organization, private lender, 

by [Y_NPSCHL], or by any other schools you attended in 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012).

Question 

Name

N12NOAPP

Help Text Indicate whether any of the reasons provided were reasons you did not apply for 

financial aid in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

If there is another reason why you did not apply for financial aid that is not already 

provided, answer Other reason not listed.

Question 

Name

N12FEDLN

Help Text Indicate whether you received any federal loans for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012). Include federal loans for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

A federal Stafford loan is an educational loan borrowed directly from the federal 

government (Direct Loans), with an interest rate and other terms that are set by the 

federal government. Students must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student 

Aid) in order to be considered for Stafford loan eligibility. Undergraduate and graduate 

level students are eligible to receive Stafford loans, which can be either subsidized or 

unsubsidized.

The Perkins Loan is awarded to undergraduate and graduate students with 

exceptional financial need. This is a campus-based loan program, with the school 
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acting as the lender using a limited pool of funds provided by the federal government.

A federal Graduate and Professional PLUS loan is an educational loan borrowed 

directly from the federal government (Direct Loans), with an interest rate and other 

terms that are set by the federal government. Students must file a FAFSA (Free 

Application for Federal Student Aid). Only graduate level students are eligible to receive 

Graduate and Professional PLUS loans, which are unsubsidized. Students also must 

show they are creditworthy or have a cosigner.

Note that Parent PLUS loans are not included in this category, as they are loans that 

only parents can take out.

Question 

Name

N12PRVLN

Help Text Indicate whether you received any type of private or alternative loans from a financial 

institution or state during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Include private loans for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

There are no federal application forms to complete. Some students and parents use 

private loans as a supplement when their federal loans do not provide enough money 

or when they need more flexible repayment options. Private loans can have higher 

interest rates than federal loans and don't offer repayment options such as deferments

or discharges. Unlike federal student loans, private loans are credit based and therefore 

often require a cosigner if the student does not have an established credit history.

Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

Question 

Name

N12PRVAMT

Help Text Indicate the amount that you borrowed in private or alternative loans for the 2011-

2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Include the private loan amount 

borrowed for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

There are no federal application forms to complete. Some students and parents use 

private loans as a supplement when their federal loans do not provide enough money 

or when they need more flexible repayment options. Private loans can have higher 

interest rates than federal loans and don't offer repayment options such as deferments 

or discharges. Unlike federal student loans, private loans are credit based and therefore 

often require a cosigner if the student does not have an established credit history.

Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

Some examples of commonly used private loans include:

• Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan

• Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan

• Chase Select Loan

• Loans from credit unions

• Loans from states such as NYHELPs

If you are unsure of the amount of your private loans, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12PRVEST
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Help Text Choose the option that best describes the amount you borrowed in alternative or 

private loans for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Include the 

private loan amount borrowed for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

There are no federal application forms to complete. Some students and parents use 

private loans as a supplement when their federal loans do not provide enough money 

or when they need more flexible repayment options. Private loans can have higher 

interest rates than federal loans and don't offer repayment options such as deferments 

or discharges. Unlike federal student loans, private loans are credit based and therefore 

often require a cosigner if the student does not have an established credit history.

Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

Some examples of commonly used private loans include:

• Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan

• Wells Fargo Collegiate Loan

• Chase Select Loan

• Loans from credit unions

• Loans from states such as NYHELPs

Do not include any amount borrowed in federal loans or money borrowed from family 

and friends.

Question 

Name

N12UGLNNPSYR

Help Text Indicate the total amount of money you borrowed in student loans for the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Only include student loans for the 2011-2012 

school year in your answer. Include the total amount of any federal, private, state, and 

school loans, and include money borrowed for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and 

Perkins Loans.

Private loans are loans that usually require a co-signer and have market interest 

rates based on credit history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include parent PLUS Loans.

Question 

Name

N12UGLNYEST

Help Text Choose the option that best describes the amount you borrowed in student loans for 

the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Only include student loans for 

the 2011-2012 school year in your answer. Include the total amount of any federal, 

private, state, and school loans, and include money borrowed for all schools you 

attended in 2011-2012.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and 

Perkins Loans. 

Private loans are loans that usually require a co-signer and have market interest 

rates based on credit history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 
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state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include parent PLUS Loans.

Question 

Name

N12GRLNNPSYR

Help Text Indicate the total amount of money you borrowed in graduate student loans for the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Only include graduate student 

loans for the 2011-2012 school year in your answer. Include the total amount of any 

federal, private, state, and school loans, and include money borrowed for all schools 

you attended in 2011-2012.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. 

Private loans are loans that usually require a co-signer and have market interest 

rates based on credit history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Question 

Name

N12GRLNYEST

Help Text Choose the option that best describes the amount you borrowed in graduate student 

loans for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Only include 

graduate student loans for the 2011-2012 school year in your answer. Include the total 

amount of any federal, private, state, and school loans, and include money borrowed 

for all schools you attended in 2011-2012.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. 

Private loans are loans that usually require a co-signer and have market interest 

rates based on credit history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Question 

Name

N12REFUND1
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Help Text A refund or disbursement of aid may occur when the amount of money required for 

tuition and fees is less than the amount promised to you in scholarships, grants, or 

loans.

Question 

Name

N12REFUND2

Help Text Please indicate how you did or will receive the refund. If none of these options describe 

how the refund was or will be given to you, choose Do something else not listed 

with the refund.

Question 

Name

N12OUTST

Help Text Out-of-state and out-of-district tuition or fees refer to tuition and fees assessed for 

students who do not meet the legal residency requirements for the state or district in 

which they attend school. These students are generally not eligible for reduced in-state 

student tuition at public colleges and universities in the state, or for in-district tuition 

and fees at community colleges. 

If you are paying out-of-state tuition at a public college or university, or if you are 

paying out-of-district fees at a community college, answer Yes even if your tuition is 

paid by a scholarship or other form of financial aid.

Question 

Name

N12UGLN

Help Text Indicate the total amount that you have borrowed to pay for your undergraduate 

education through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012). Include money borrowed for each year of your enrollment as an undergraduate 

student. Also include money borrowed for all schools that you have attended as an 

undergraduate student. Include the total amount of any federal, private, state, and 

school loans.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and 

Perkins Loans.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 

history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include money borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 

2013).

Question 

Name

N12ULNEST

Help Text Choose the option that best describes the total amount that you have borrowed to pay 

for your undergraduate education through the end of the 2011-2012 school year 
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(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Include money borrowed for each year of your 

enrollment as an undergraduate student. Also include money borrowed for all schools 

that you have attended as an undergraduate student. Include the total amount of any 

federal, private, state, and school loans.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and 

Perkins Loans.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 

history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include money borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 

2013).

Question 

Name

N12UGOWE

Help Text Indicate whether you still owe all, some, or none of the total amount you borrowed 

in federal, private, state, or school undergraduate loans through the end of the 2011-

2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and 

Perkins Loans.

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 

history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include Parent Plus loans or any money borrowed from family or friends. Also, 

do not consider any amount borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-

June 30, 2013).

Question 

Name

N12GRLN

Help Text Indicate the total amount that you have borrowed to pay for your graduate education 

through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Include money borrowed for each year of your enrollment as a graduate student. Also 

include money borrowed for all schools that you have attended as a graduate student. 

Include the total amount of any federal, private, state, and school loans.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. 

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 
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history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include money borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 

2013).

Question 

Name

N12GLNEST

Help Text Choose the option that best describes the total amount that you have borrowed to pay 

for your graduate education through the end of the 2011-2012 school year (July 

1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Include money borrowed for each year of your enrollment as a 

graduate student. Also include money borrowed for all schools that you have attended 

as a graduate student. Include the total amount of any federal, private, state, and 

school loans.

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. 

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 

history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 

from state to state.

Do not include money borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 

2013).

Question 

Name

N12GROWE

Help Text Indicate whether you still owe all, some, or none of the total amount you borrowed in 

federal, private, state, or school graduate loans through the end of the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Federal student loans include: subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Perkins 

Loans, and graduate and professional student PLUS Loans. 

Private loans, also known as alternative loans, are offered by private lenders. 

Private loans usually require a co-signer and have market interest rates based on credit 

history. Home equity loans are not considered private loans.

School loans are loans for which your school-rather than the Federal government, 

state government, or another private organization-is the lender. School loans are 

sometimes restricted to individuals meeting certain qualifications.

State education loans, offered through state-funded programs in certain states, 

typically require the borrower to be a state resident or attend an approved school 

within the state. Interest rates and repayment terms for state education loans vary 
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from state to state.

Do not include any money borrowed from family or friends. Also, do not consider any 

amount borrowed for the 2012-2013 school year (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013).

Question 

Name

N12DCLN

Help Text Indicate whether you were offered any federal student loans in the 2011-2012 school 

year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) that you chose not to accept. If you were offered a 

federal loan and decided not to take it out, answer Yes. If you were not offered any 

federal loans, or if you took out every federal loan you were offered, answer No.

Federal student loans include subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Perkins 

Loans. To receive offers of student loans from the federal government you first have to 

complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Do not include parent PLUS loans, private loans, or loans offered by family or friends in 

your answer.

Question 

Name

N12DCMAXLN

Help Text You indicated that you received federal student loans in the 2011-2012 school year

(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Indicate whether you chose to take the maximum 

amount of money offered by the federal government in either subsidized or 

unsubsidized Stafford Loans or Perkins Loans. 

If the amount in federal student loans that you accepted was less than the amount 

offered to you by the government, answer No.

Question 

Name

N12DCLRSN

Help Text Indicate your main reason for choosing not to accept the maximum federal student 

loan(s) that were offered to you.

Question 

Name

N12AVOIDLNS

Help Text Indicate whether you chose to do any of the listed options to avoid taking out 

(additional) student loans during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012).

Question 

Name

N12UNMETNEED

Help Text Indicate whether you would have borrowed (more) money during the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012) if the option had been available to you.

Question 

Name

N12NEEDAMTUG

Help Text Indicate how much (more) money you would have borrowed for the 2011-2012 school 

year if you had the option. Do not include money that you actually borrowed; only 

include the (additional) amount you would have borrowed if you could have.
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Question 

Name

N12REPAY

Help Text Indicate whether you think anyone (other than a spouse) will help you repay all or part 

of your student loans.

Question 

Name

N12GRDASTJOB

Help Text Indicate whether you had a graduate assistantship in the 2011-2012 school year (July 

1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Graduate assistantships are work appointments that provide financial support for 

graduate studies. Examples of graduate assistantships include graduate teaching 

assistantships and graduate research assistantships. In return for their work, graduate 

assistants receive stipends, tuition waivers, fee waivers, or other forms of financial 

support.

Question 

Name

N12GRAST

Help Text Indicate which type(s) of graduate assistantship(s) you had in the 2011-2012 school 

year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). (If you had more than one type of graduate 

assistantship in the 2011-2012 school year, check all that apply.)

Graduate teaching assistants work under the supervision of professors and other 

instructors by providing support for academic instruction. Examples of graduate 

teaching assistant duties include supervised teaching, leading discussion or laboratory 

sections, and grading examinations and papers.

Graduate research assistants conduct scholarly research under the direction of 

faculty members or other investigators. Research conducted as a graduate research 

assistant sometimes contributes to a student’s thesis or dissertation.

Other graduate assistantships include a variety of positions that are not classified 

as teaching assistantships or research assistantships. Some other graduate assistants 

primarily provide administrative or professional support to offices and departments.

Question

Name

N12TUITN

Help Text Indicate whether your tuition was waived, or paid partially or in full by an assistantship 

in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

A tuition waiver (or tuition remission) occurs when you do not have to pay part or all 

of your tuition because your school has waived the requirement. Tuition waivers are 

sometimes offered to qualified graduate students--particularly out-of-state students--as 

part of assistantship packages.

Question 

Name

N12HINS

Help Text Some graduate assistantships provide health insurance as a benefit to students. 

Answer Yes if you received the health insurance benefits offered through your 

graduate assistantship in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Question 

Name

N12GRTAAMT
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Help Text Indicate the dollar amount of your graduate teaching assistantship for the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Only include the amount for your graduate teaching assistantship here; there is a 

separate question for each graduate assistantship type (research or other 

assistantship) if you have more than one.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12GRRAAMT

Help Text Indicate the dollar amount of your graduate research assistantship for the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Only include the amount for your graduate research assistantship here. 

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12GROTHAMT

Help Text Indicate the dollar amount of your graduate assistantship for the 2011-2012 school 

year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12CONTAC

Help Text Indicate which of the following activities you are required to perform as part of your 

teaching assistantship during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Assume full teaching responsibility: You are solely responsible for teaching an 

entire course.

Lead discussion sections: You are in charge of discussion sessions for a course 

taught by a faculty member.

Supervise lab sections: You are responsible for the lab section of a course that is 

taught by a faculty member.

Assist faculty with grading: You help the professor with grading papers, exams, 

homework, and projects.

Assist faculty with answering student e-mail messages: You help the professor 

respond to questions from students through e-mail.

Hold office hours: You are available for scheduled periods of time when students 

may come and ask questions or get help with the material covered in the course.

Question 

Name

N12GRFELL

Help Text Indicate whether you had a graduate fellowship in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012). 

Graduate fellowships, which may be based on merit, are a form of financial support 

that usually has no specific service requirement from the recipient.

Question 

Name

N12GRFELLAMT

Help Text Indicate the dollar amount of your graduate fellowship for the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).
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If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12GRTRNSHP

Help Text Indicate whether you had a traineeship in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-

June 30, 2012). 

A traineeship is a form of financial support, and requirements vary by the particular 

traineeship program. Many traineeships include individualized mentoring and training 

experiences.

Question 

Name

N12GRTRNAMT

Help Text Indicate the dollar amount of your traineeship for the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012).

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12GRHRS

Help Text Indicate the number of hours you worked in an average week in your graduate school 

job(s) during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). 

Graduate school jobs include graduate research, teaching, or other assistantships, 

graduate fellowships, and traineeships.

Question 

Name

N12GRWEEK

Help Text Graduate school jobs include graduate research, teaching, and other assistantships, 

graduate fellowships, and traineeships.

Question 

Name

N12SCHJOB

Help Text Indicate whether you had a work-study job at [Y_NPSCHL] at any time during the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 -June 30, 2012).

Federal work-study jobs are offered to undergraduate students with financial need, 

allowing them to work part-time to earn money to help pay their education expenses. 

Students must file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to be 

considered for the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. Work-study jobs are often 

located on the campus of a student's school and may or may not be related to a 

student's course of study.

Question 

Name

N12WSMAJR

Help Text Indicate whether your work-study job in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012) was related to your major or field of study at [Y_NPSCHL].

Your work-study job is related to your major or field of study if it requires skills related 

to your primary coursework, or if it is similar in content to your primary coursework.

Question N12WSONOF
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Name

Help Text Indicate whether your work-study job was located mostly on or off the campus of 

[Y_NPSCHL] in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). Respond by 

thinking about the location where you worked the most for your work-study job.

On campus means your work-study job was located physically within the boundaries 

of the official campus of [Y_NPSCHL]. 

Off campus means your work-study job was located physically outside the boundaries 

of the official campus of [Y_NPSCHL].

Question 

Name

N12WSEMP

Help Text Indicate whether your work-study job in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012) was through [Y_NPSCHL] or some other organization. 

Your answer should depend on the source of your paycheck. If you were paid by 

[Y_NPSCHL], then your work-study job was through [Y_NPSCHL]. If you were paid by 

another organization, then your work-study job was through another organization.

Question 

Name

N12WAEARN

Help Text Indicate how much you earned from your work-study job while you were attending 

[Y_NPSCHL] during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). You can 

choose whichever unit of time you prefer (per year, term or semester, month, week, or 

hour) to report the amount of your work-study earnings.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12WAERNS

Help Text Indicate the amount of time worked in your work-study job through the end of the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Do not include time worked in the summer unless you attend school during summer 

break.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12WAHRS

Help Text Indicate the number of hours that you worked at your work-study job in an average 

week in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Do not include summer hours unless you attend school during summer break.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12ANYJOB

Help Text Indicate whether you held a job during the 2011-2012 school year.

Only include paid jobs. Do not include any work-study jobs, assistantships, fellowships, 

or traineeships, or jobs held only during a school break, unless you were attending 

school during the break.
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Question 

Name

N12NUMJOB

Help Text Only include paid jobs.

Do not include any work-study jobs, assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships in this 

total, or jobs held only during a school break, unless you were attending school during 

the break. 

Question 

Name

N12SEARN

Help Text Indicate how much you usually earned from all jobs (not including work-study, 

assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships) held during the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Indicate the unit of time that corresponds to the amount of earnings that you reported.

Do not include earnings from work done during a school break, unless you were 

attending school during the break.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12SEARNS

Help Text Indicate how much time you will have worked at all jobs (not including work-study, 

assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships) by the end of the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). 

Do not include work done during a school break, unless you will be attending school 

during the break. 

For reference, rough conversions are shown below:

1 semester=15 weeks

1 quarter=10 weeks

1 trimester=10 weeks

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12SBHRS

Help Text Indicate the average number of hours worked per week at all jobs (not including workstudy, assistantships, fellowships, or traineeships) during the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

Do not include an average week worked during a school break if you do not attend 

school during the break.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12ONOFF

Help Text On campus refers to any job located physically within the boundaries of the official 

campus of your school.

Off campus refers to any job located physically outside the boundaries of the official 

campus of your school.

Only include paid jobs. Do not include any work-study jobs, assistantships, fellowships, 

or traineeships, or jobs held only during a school break, unless you were attending 
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school during the break.

Question 

Name

N12ENRWRK

Help Text An example of a student working to meet expenses would be someone who is 

enrolled full time but also holds a job to earn additional money.

An example of an employee who decided to enroll in school is someone who 

considers his or her primary focus to be work but is attending school to further his or 

her career or for personal betterment.

Please try to choose the answer that most closely reflects your primary focus for 

working while enrolled in school.

Question 

Name

N12PRVJOB

Help Text Consider any jobs you were usually working for pay at one time in the year before the 

2011-2012 school year began. The 2011-2012 school year began July 1, 2011.

You may have held these jobs for a long time and may still be working at these jobs.

Do not include volunteer jobs or unpaid jobs you held in 2010-2011.

Question 

Name

N12POCC

Help Text The 2011-2012 school year began July 1, 2011.

To find your job in our database: 

First type the job title of the job into the first textbox, then type the job duties of this 

job into the second textbox. Last click Enter and a list of jobs that most closely match 

your entries will be displayed.

From the responses displayed, click Select next to the job that most closely matches 

your entry and click Ok on the confirmation box if this is the job you would like to 

select. You will then be taken to the next question in the survey.

Click Cancel on the confirmation box if the job listed does not closely match the job 

you entered and review the other options that were returned.

If your job is not listed in the list of jobs displayed, click None of the above at the 

bottom of the list of jobs and as best you can, choose descriptions of the job from the 

dropdown boxes that appear.

Question 

Name

N12SAMEJOB

Help Text Indicate whether during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) you continued working in the type of job 

indicated in the question. 

If you had a different employer, but the job title and duties were the same, answer 

Yes.

Question 

Name

N12POCCTIM
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Help Text Indicate how long you worked in this type of job through the end of the 2011-2012 

school year. You may provide your answer in days, weeks, months, or years.

If you did not work at this type of job consecutively, you can answer by adding up the 

amount of time you worked in this type of job.

Question 

Name

N12PRVWAGE

Help Text Indicate how much you usually earned in the year before the 2011-2012 school year 

began.

The 2011-2012 school year began July 1, 2011.

Question 

Name

N12PRVHRSWK

Help Text Indicate how many hours you usually worked per week on average in the year before

the 2011-2012 school year began. 

The 2011-2012 school year began July 1, 2011. 

Question 

Name

N12PRVMTHYR

Help Text Indicate how many months you worked in the year before the 2011-2012 school year 

began.

The 2011-2012 school year began July 1, 2011.

Question 

Name

N12WRKPAY

Help Text Volunteer activities are classified under Work, but not be paid.

If you would have done some work for pay and some unpaid work, indicate Work for 

pay.

Question 

Name

N12ALTNUMJOB

Help Text Count the jobs based on the number of separate employers you would have had. For 

example, if would have been a waiter or waitress at two different restaurants, answer 

Two or more jobs at a time.

Question 

Name

N12ALTSCHED

Help Text Provide your best guess about whether you would have worked for pay full time, or 

less than that, if you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012).

If you would have worked full time, but for less than 12 months of the year answer 

No. Also answer No if you would have worked part time for all 12 months of the year.

If you would have worked at more than one job, consider whether you would have 

worked full time when you combine the hours and months worked from all jobs 

together. 

Question N12ALTHRSWK
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Name

Help Text Provide your best guess about how many hours, on average, you would have worked 

for pay per week if you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011-June 

30, 2012).

If you think you would have worked for pay full time in some months, and part time in 

other months, provide an average number of weekly hours worked across the total 

months you would have worked.

If you would have worked at more than one job, consider how many hours, on 

average, you would have worked when you combine the hours worked from all jobs 

together.

Question 

Name

N12ALTMTHYR

Help Text Provide your best guess about how many months of the year you would have worked 

for pay, if you had not attended college at all in 2011-2012 (July 1, 2011-June 30,

2012).

Include all months that you would have worked for pay, even if you think you would 

only have worked part time in any or all months of the year.

If you would have worked at more than one job, consider how many months you 

would have worked when you combine the months worked from all jobs together.

Question 

Name

N12ALTWAGE1

Help Text Provide the hourly wage or yearly salary you would have earned at the job you think 

you would have had if you had not attended college at all in the 2011-2012 school year 

(July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

You can include any tips or bonuses you think you would have received in your answer. 

You can also provide the amount before taxes are taken out (your gross earnings). 

If you are unsure of the amount you would have earned, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12ALTWAGE2

Help Text Provide the weekly, monthly, or yearly salary you would have earned at the jobs you 

think you would have had if you had not attended college at all in the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

You can include any tips or bonuses you think you would have received in your answer. 

You can also provide the amount before taxes are taken out (your gross earnings).

If you are unsure of the amount you would have earned, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12INCINTRO

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12INCOM

Help Text Estimate your gross income from the entire 2011 calendar year (January 1, 2011-

December 31, 2011). Do not include any income earned during 2012. Your gross 
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income is the full amount before taxes, Social Security, and other deductions are taken 

out.

Include wages from off-campus jobs, on-campus jobs, work-study jobs, assistantships, 

fellowships, traineeships, summer jobs, or any other source. Also include income 

received from a trust fund.

Do not include scholarships, grants or loans, or any money given to you by your 

family.

If you are unsure what your income in 2011 was, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12INCSP

Help Text Estimate your spouse's gross income from the entire 2011 calendar year (January 

1, 2011-December 31, 2011). Do not include any income earned during 2012. Gross 

income is the full amount before taxes, Social Security, and other deductions are taken 

out.

Include wages from any work-study jobs, assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, or 

any other source of income for your spouse. Also include income received from a trust 

fund.

Do not include scholarships, grants or loans, or any money given to your spouse by 

family.

If you are unsure what your spouse's income in 2011 was, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12DEPS

Help Text Answer Yes if you have a child or children who received more than half of their 

financial support from you during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 

2012), even if these children did not live with you. Foster children are not considered 

dependents for this question. 

Question 

Name

N12DEP2

Help Text Report the number of children who received more than half of their financial 

support from you in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), even if 

these children did not live with you. Foster children are not considered dependents for 

this question. 

Question 

Name

N12DAGE

Help Text Indicate the age of your child, or your youngest child.

Dependent children are any of your children who received more than half of their 

financial support from you, even if they did not live wih you. Foster children are not 

considered dependent children for this question.

Question 

Name

N12CARE

Help Text Indicate the number of dependent children that were in paid childcare in the 2011-

2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Dependent children are any of your children who received more than half of their 
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financial support from you, even if they did not live wih you. Foster children are not 

considered dependent children for this question. 

Indicate the number of children for whom you (and your spouse, if applicable) 

paid for childcare. If your children were not in childcare that you paid for, or if 

someone else paid for the childcare for your children, answer 0.

Childcare includes any form of paid care such as a day care, after school care, or 

in-home care at your home or someone else's home.

Question 

Name

N12CARE1

Help Text Indicate whether your child was in paid childcare in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012).

Answer Yes if you (and your spouse, if applicable) paid for childcare for your 

child. If your child was not in childcare, or if someone else paid for the childcare for 

your child, answer No.

Childcare includes any form of paid care such as a day care, after school care, or 

in-home care at your home or someone else's home.

Question 

Name

N12DAYCST

Help Text Indicate the average monthly amount that you (or your spouse, if applicable) paid for 

childcare in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

Childcare includes any form of paid care such as a day care, after school care, or 

in-home care at your home or someone else's home.

If you are not sure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12OTDEPS

Help Text Indicate whether you provided more than half the financial support for anybody

other than a spouse or children in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 

2012), who lived in your household.

Examples of other dependents might include parents, grandparents, other relatives, or 

anybody else for whom you provided more than half their financial support. Foster 

children are not considered dependents for this question.

Do not include yourself, a spouse, or any children as other dependents in this 

question.

Question 

Name

N12OTDEPS2

Help Text Indicate how many other dependents who lived in your household received more 

than half their financial support from you in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011 to June 30, 2012).

Examples of other dependents might include parents, grandparents, other relatives, or 

anybody else for whom you provided more than half their financial support. Foster 

children are not considered dependents for this question.

Do not count yourself, a spouse, or any children as other dependents in this question.

Question 

Name

N12OTDEPAMT
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Help Text Indicate the average monthly amount that you (or your spouse, if applicable) paid for 

these others that lived in your household in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to 

June 30, 2012).

Examples of other dependents might include parents, grandparents, other relatives, or 

anybody else who lived in your household and for whom you provided more than half 

their financial support. Foster children are not considered dependents for this question.

Do not count expenses paid for yourself, a spouse, or any children in this question.

If you are not sure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12KIDCOL

Help Text Indicate how many of your dependents attended a college, university or trade school in 

the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

Dependents include your children, who need not live with you, and others who live in 

your household who receive more than half of their financial support from you. Foster 

children are not considered dependent children for this question.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12KIDCOL1

Help Text Indicate whether your dependent attended a college, university or trade school in the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

Dependents include your children, who need not live with you, and others who live in 

your household who receive more than half of their financial support from you. Foster 

children are not considered dependent children for this question.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12COLCOST

Help Text Do not include any loans such as parent PLUS loans, private loans, or home equity 

loans that you may have taken out to pay for these college expenses in your answer.

College expenses can refer to tuition and fees, school books, or any other expenses 

your dependent(s) had while attending a college, university, or trade school during the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). A trade school offers instruction 

in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Dependents include your children, who need not live with you, and others who live in 

your household who receive more than half of their financial support from you. Foster 

children are not considered dependent children for this question.

If you are not sure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12PARHELP

Help Text Indicate whether your parents (or guardians) paid for any education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 

to June 30, 2012).

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses.

Question N12PARAMT
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Name

Help Text Indicate the amount your parents (or guardians) paid for any education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 

to June 30, 2012).

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses.

If you are not sure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12PARAMT2

Help Text Indicate the amount your parents (or guardians) paid for any education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 

to June 30, 2012).

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses.

If you are not sure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12FAMHELP

Help Text Indicate whether any family members or friends paid for any education and living 

expenses while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 

to June 30, 2012).

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses.

Do not include any assistance from your parents (or guardians) or a spouse.

Question 

Name

N12FAMAMT

Help Text Indicate the amount your family or friends paid for any education and living expenses 

while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 

30, 2012). 

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses. 

Do not include any assistance from your parents (or guardians) or a spouse. 

If you are not sure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12FAMAMT2

Help Text Indicate the amount your family or friends paid for any education and living expenses 

while you were enrolled in school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 

30, 2012). 

Tuition and fees or school books are examples of education expenses. Rent and 

food are examples of living expenses. 

Do not include any assistance from your parents (or guardians) or a spouse. 

If you are not sure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12NUMCRD
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Help Text Credit cards allow cardholders to carry debt from month to month. Examples of 

credit cards to include in your answer are VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American 

Express, retail store credit cards, gas cards, etc.

Do not include:

• Cards that have your name on them but the account has been issued to a 

parent, spouse, or other relative, or the bill is paid by someone else.

• Debit cards or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) cards. Debit cards are tied 

directly to a checking or savings account so that the amount charged is taken 

directly out of the account.

• Company cards that are billed directly to a department within a business or 

organization.

If you are unsure, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12CARRYBAL

Help Text A balance on your credit card(s) means that there is an amount owed on your credit 

card(s) that is not usually paid off in full each month.

Question 

Name

N12CRDBAL

Help Text Estimate the current outstanding balance--the total amount that you owe from your 

most recent statements--on all credit cards in your name.

Credit cards allow cardholders to carry debt from month to month. Examples of 

amounts on credit cards to include in your answer are balances on VISA, 

Mastercard, Discover, American Express, retail store credit cards, gas cards, etc.

If you are unsure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Do not include the following amounts on...

Cards that have your name on them but the account has been issued to a parent, 

spouse, or other relative, or the bill is paid by someone else.

Debit cards or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) cards. Debit cards are tied directly to a 

checking or savings account so that the amount charged is taken directly out of the 

account.

Company cards that are billed directly to a department within a business or 

organization.

Question 

Name

N12CCUSE

Help Text Indicate whether you used your credit card(s) to help pay for tuition and fees in the 

2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

Credit cards allow cardholders to carry debt from month to month. Examples of 

credit cards to include in your answer are VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American 

Express, retail store credit cards, gas cards, etc.

Answer No if you used any of the following types of cards to pay for tuition 

and fees:

Cards that have your name on them but the account has been issued to a parent, 
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spouse, or other relative, or the bill is paid by someone else.

Debit cards or ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) cards. Debit cards are tied directly to a 

checking or savings account so that the amount charged is taken directly out of the 

account.

Company cards that are billed directly to a department within a business or 

organization.

Question 

Name

N12CCREASON

Help Text Indicate whether you used credit cards in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to 

June 30, 2012) because they were the only way you had to pay for tuition and fees. 

If you had other sources of funds but used credit cards because they were convenient 

or because you earned rewards by using credit cards, answer No.

Question 

Name

N12BANK1

Help Text A checking account allows the holder of the account to withdraw their money using a 

personal check, debit card, or withdrawal, including ATM withdrawals. Money in a 

checking account usually does not gain interest.

Saving accounts earn interest but usually do not have check writing or debit cards 

associated with the account.

Membership in a credit union is limited to certain individuals (and often their family 

members), such as employees of particular companies or residents of a certain 

geographic region. 

Question 

Name

N12BANK2

Help Text Checking and saving accounts can be held by one person alone or held jointly with 

another person, such as a parent or spouse. If your name appears on the account 

statements with another person, such as your parent or spouse, indicate Shared 

between you and someone else.

Question 

Name

N12SCHRES

Help Text Indicate where you lived during the last term you attended school in the 2011-2012 

school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012).

College-owned housing means that your rent is paid to the school, even if that 

housing is not on the campus of the school.

Question 

Name

N12DISTHDAYS

Help Text Indicate the number of days per week (or per month) that you traveled between where 

you lived in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) and 

[Y_NPSCHL].

For this question, refer to the place where you lived in the 2011-2012 school year, 

which may differ from your permanent residence. Your permanent residence is typically 

defined as the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local 

and state taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration. If 
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you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your permanent 

residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

(If you did not commute to [Y_NPSCHL] indicate the checkbox for that item.)

Question 

Name

N12DISTHMINS

Help Text Indicate the number of minutes (or hours) it took you to travel on an average day from 

where you lived in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012) to 

[Y_NPSCHL].

Include only the average one-way travel time per day. Report the actual time it took 

to arrive at [Y_NPSCHL]. For example, if traffic or other factors made your commute 

longer on an average day, include those factors in the amount of time you report.

For this question, refer to the place where you lived in the 2011-2012 school year, 

which may differ from your permanent residence. Your permanent residence is typically 

defined as the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local 

and state taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration. If 

you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your permanent 

residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

Question 

Name

N12DISTWKDAY

Help Text Indicate how many days you traveled from where you lived to work in an average 

week during the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012). If you worked 

more than one job during the school year, answer about the job where you worked 

the most hours.

For this question, refer to the place where you lived in the 2011-2012 school year, 

which may differ from your permanent residence. Your permanent residence is typically 

defined as the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local 

and state taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration. If 

you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your permanent 

residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

If your job did not require a commute, answer only Zero days (no travel to work).

Question 

Name

N12DISTWKTIM

Help Text Indicate the number of minutes (or hours) it took you to travel from where you lived to 

work on an average day in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). 

If you worked more than one job during the school year, answer about the job 

where you worked the most hours.

Include only the average one-way travel time per day. Report the actual time it took 

to arrive at work. For example, if traffic or other factors made your commute longer on 

an average day, include those factors in the amount of time you report.

For this question, refer to the place where you lived in the 2011-2012 school year, 

which may differ from your permanent residence. Your permanent residence is typically 

defined as the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local 

and state taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration. If 

you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your permanent 

residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

Question N12HOME
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Name

Help Text Answer Yes whether you own a home outright (the home is paid for in full), or 

purchased the house but you are still making payments on a mortgage. Also answer 

Yes whether you own a house, town house, or condominium.

Do not include your parents' home.

Question 

Name

N12RNTAMT

Help Text Indicate your average monthly rent or mortgage payment while you were attending 

school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012).

If you shared a residence with other people, indicate only the amount that you were 

responsible for paying. For example, if you shared an apartment with one other person 

and you share the rent evenly, only report the amount that you paid to cover your half. 

If someone else paid your rent or mortgage for you every month, or if you owe nothing 

on a home you own and have paid for it in full, indicate "0."

Do not include money for any other living expenses, such as food, utilities, 

transportation, etc. in your answer.

If you are unsure of the amount, provide your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12UNTAX

Help Text Answer Yes if you or anyone in your family household received any of the following 

benefits between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012:

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults 

and children who have limited income and resources. It is designed to help aged, blind, 

and disabled people who have little or no income and provides cash to meet basic 

needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

The federal Food Stamp Program was renamed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program (SNAP). Some state program names may vary. States typically issue SNAP 

benefits through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards that are used to purchase 

eligible food in authorized retail food stores, farmers' markets, etc. EBT cards work like 

debit cards.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) payments provide financial 

assistance to families with limited resources. The assistance is time-limited (typically a 

maximum of 60 months).

Household size and family income are used to determine eligibility for free or reduced 

price school lunches in the Free and Reduced Price School Lunch program.

WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) is 

an assistance program for low-income pregnant women or new mothers, infants, and 

children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC provides nutrition education, 

supplemental foods, health screenings, and health care referrals.

Question 

Name

N12PARST

Help Text Indicate the option which best describes the current marital status of your parent(s) or 

guardian(s).

For example...

Indicate Married or remarried if your parents are married to each other, or if your 

parents are divorced, but the parent you lived with most is now remarried.
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Indicate Single if your parents were never married. If your parents were never 

married and you do not live with both of them, answer single if the parent you lived 

with most is not married.

Indicate Divorced or separated if your parents are divorced, and the parent you 

lived with most has not remarried.

Indicate Widowed if your parents were married, and your surviving parent is not 

remarried.

Question 

Name

N12PARNC

Help Text Estimate your parents'/guardians' gross income from calendar year 2011 (January 1, 

2011 - December 31, 2011) based on the ranges listed, even if your parents do not 

provide you with any financial assistance for your education. Gross income is the full 

amount before taxes, Social Security, and other deductions are taken out. 

lf you are unsure of the amount, make your best guess.

Question 

Name

N12PRHSD

Help Text Indicate the number of people whom your parents (or guardians) financially supported 

during the most recent term you attended school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 

2011-June 30, 2012).

Include brothers and sisters, grandparents, or anybody else to whom your parents 

provided financial support. Do not include yourself or your parents in the total. 

Question 

Name

N12DPNUM

Help Text Indicate the number of people supported financially by your parent(s) or guardian(s), 

who attended a college, university or trade school during the most recent term you 

attended school in the 2011-2012 school year (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012). A trade 

school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Do not include yourself or your parents (or guardians) in the total.

Question 

Name

N12DSCT250

Help Text Indicate whether, if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a gift 

of $250 today, or a gift of $250 one year from today.

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back 

whether you took the $250 today or in one year.

Question 

Name

N12DSCT300

Help Text In the previous question you indicated you would prefer to receive $250 today rather 

than take $250 in one year.

Now indicate whether if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a 

gift of $250 today or a gift of $300 one year from today.

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back

whether you took the $250 today or $300 in one year.
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Question 

Name

N12DSCT350

Help Text In the previous question you indicated you would prefer to receive $250 today rather 

than take $300 in one year. 

Now indicate whether if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a 

gift of $250 today or a gift of $350 one year from today. 

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back 

whether you took the $250 today or $350 in one year.

Question 

Name

N12DSCT400

Help Text In the previous question you indicated you would prefer to receive $250 today rather 

than take $350 in one year. 

Now indicate whether if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a 

gift of $250 today or a gift of $400 one year from today. 

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back 

whether you took the $250 today or $400 in one year.

Question 

Name

N12DSCT450

Help Text In the previous question you indicated you would prefer to receive $250 today rather 

than take $400 in one year. 

Now indicate whether if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a 

gift of $250 today or a gift of $450 one year from today. 

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back 

whether you took the $250 today or $450 in one year.

Question 

Name

N12DSCT500

Help Text In the previous question you indicated you would prefer to receive $250 today rather 

than take $450 in one year. 

Now indicate whether if somebody gave you the choice, you would prefer to receive a 

gift of $250 today or a gift of $500 one year from today. 

In this imaginary situation you would not have to pay this money back 

whether you took the $250 today or $500 in one year.

Question 

Name

INTBCK

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12STATE

Help Text (In the dropdown box, select the state in which you legally reside.)

Your legal residence is typically defined as the residence where you are registered to 

vote, where you pay your local and state taxes, and where you maintain your driver's 

license and car registration.

If you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your legal 
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residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

If you live outside of the United States, indicate FOREIGN COUNTRY (from the 

dropdown list).

Question 

Name

N12DISTNC

Help Text Your permanent address is usually your legal residence, which is typically defined as 

the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local and state 

taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration.

If you are under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your legal 

residence is usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

(If your permanent address is outside the United States, select only the displayed 

checkbox.)

Question 

Name

N12USBORN

Help Text If you were born on a U.S. military base outside of the U.S., answer Yes.

United States territories and outlying areas include American Samoa, the Federated 

States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you were born in any of these locations, answer Yes.

Question 

Name

N12CITZN

Help Text Indicate your citizenship status. If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, select Yes.

If you are a U.S. permanent resident with a Permanent Resident Card (I-551), 

sometimes called a Green Card, or an eligible noncitizen with an Arrival-Departure 

Record (I-94), or an eligible noncitizen with a Temporary Resident Card (I-688), select 

No - Resident alien, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen; hold a 

temporary resident's card or other eligible non-citizen temporary resident's 

card.

If you are in the U.S. under any of the following, please select No - Student visa, in 

the country on an F1 or F2 visa, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa. 

• F1 visa - an alien having residence in a foreign country which he/she has no 

intention of abandoning, who is a bona fide student qualified to pursue a full 

course of study and who seeks to enter the United States temporarily and 

solely for the purpose of pursuing such a course of study at an educational 

institution in the United States.

• F2 visa- For a spouse and/or dependent children of a student with an F1 visa 

to enter the U.S.

• J1 visa- an alien having residence in a foreign country which he/she has no 

intention of abandoning who is a bona fide student, scholar, trainee, teacher, 

professor, research assistant, specialist, or leader in a field of specialized 

knowledge or skill, or other person of similar description, who is coming 

temporarily to the United States as a participant in a program for the purpose 

of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, 

consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training.

• J2 visa- For a spouse and/or dependent children of a person with a J1 visa to 

enter the U.S.

Question N12IMGRAGE
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Name

Help Text Tell us how you old you were when you first moved to the United States.

Question 

Name

N12IMGEST

Help Text Please indicate the range that best estimates your age when you first moved to the 

United States.

Question 

Name

N12FLANG

Help Text Indicate the language(s) you first learned to speak. If you spoke one language more 

than another, indicate the language that you spoke more. If you spoke two languages 

equally as much, indicate that option.

Question 

Name

N12FFLANGA

Help Text A primary caregiver is the person who has the main responsibility for a child's health, 

development, shelter, and overall well-being.

Question 

Name

N12PARUS

Help Text If a parent was born on a U.S. military base outside of the U.S., please indicate that 

this parent was born in the United States.

United States territories and outlying areas include American Samoa, the Federated 

States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands. If a parent were born in any of these locations, indicate 

that this parent was born in the United States.

Question 

Name

N12HISP

Help Text In compliance with federal standards for collecting race and ethnicity, Hispanic or 

Latino refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, 

or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Question 

Name

N12HISTYP

Help Text In compliance with federal standards for collecting race and ethnicity, Hispanic or 

Latino refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, 

or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Examples of Some other Spanish, Hispanic, or Latino origin include, but are not 

limited to, persons of Argentinean, Colombian, Dominican, Nicaraguan, or Salvadoran 

descent. 

If you are of more than one Hispanic/Latino origin, indicate all of those with which you 

identify.

Question N12RAC1
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Name

Help Text Please indicate all of the categories that best describe your race. In compliance with 

federal standards for collecting race and ethnicity, the following are descriptions of the 

race categories: 

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle 

East, or North Africa.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups 

of Africa.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast 

Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, 

Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original 

peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains 

tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the 

original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

(Hispanic or Latino background is considered an ethnicity rather than a race. People 

of Hispanic or Latino origin may be of any race.)

Question 

Name

N12TRIBE

Help Text Tribes are recognized by state and federal governments in accordance with treaty, 

executive order, or legislation. Not every tribe is recognized by a state or the federal 

government. If your tribe is still in the process of seeking recognition but is not yet 

officially recognized, answer No.

Examples of federally-recognized tribes include the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the 

Cherokee Nation, and the Navajo Nation of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Question 

Name

N12SPCOL

Help Text Answer Yes if your spouse attended a college, university, or trade school for any part 

or all of the 2011-2012 school year. The 2011-2012 school year is from July 1, 2011 to 

June 30, 2012.

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12MOMED

Help Text Indicate the highest level of education that your mother ever completed. If your 

mother was in school for a particular degree but has not completed that degree, 

choose the option for the highest completed degree or level of education.

High school: Completion of the secondary level of education, usually in the form of a 

high school diploma, high school completion certificate, or General Educational 

Development (GED) equivalency exam.

Vocational/technical training: Prepares learners for careers that are based in 

manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic and related to a specific trade, 

occupation or vocation.

Associate's Degree: An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years

of full-time equivalent college work.

Bachelor's Degree: A degree, usually awarded by a 4-year college or university, that 
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usually requires at least 4 years of full-time college-level work.

Master's degree (MA, MS, MBA, MFA, etc.): A university-awarded degree that usually 

requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate-level work, and may require a thesis or a 

practicum.

Professional degree: A formal award certifying the satisfactory completion of a 

postsecondary education program in any of the following professional fields: 

chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, 

podiatry, divinity/theology, or veterinary medicine.

Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.): A university-awarded degree that usually requires 

at least 4 years of full-time graduate-level work and usually requires a dissertation.

Question 

Name

N12DADED

Help Text Indicate the highest level of education that your father ever completed. If your father 

was in school for a particular degree but has not completed that degree, choose the 

option for the highest completed degree or level of education.

High school: Completion of the secondary level of education, usually in the form of a 

high school diploma, high school completion certificate, or General Educational 

Development (GED) equivalency exam.

Vocational/technical training: Prepares learners for careers that are based in 

manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic and related to a specific trade, 

occupation or vocation.

Associate's Degree: An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years 

of full-time equivalent college work.

Bachelor's Degree: A degree, usually awarded by a 4-year college or university, that 

usually requires at least 4 years of full-time college-level work.

Master's degree (MA, MS, MBA, MFA, etc.): A university-awarded degree that usually 

requires at least 2 years of full-time graduate-level work, and may require a thesis or a 

practicum.

Professional degree: A formal award certifying the satisfactory completion of a 

postsecondary education program in any of the following professional fields: 

chiropractic, dentistry, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, 

podiatry, divinity/theology, or veterinary medicine.

Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, etc.): A university-awarded degree that usually requires 

at least 4 years of full-time graduate-level work and usually requires a dissertation.

Question 

Name

N12SIBCL

Help Text Answer Yes if you have any brother or sisters who attended a college, university, or 

trade school before you did. 

A trade school offers instruction in skilled trades. It is not a high school.

Question 

Name

N12MILIT

Help Text The U.S. Armed Forces include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Coast 

Guard.

A veteran is someone who has served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces in the 

past.

Active duty means full-time employment in the uniformed service as an officer or 

enlisted person. Civilian employees of the military are not included.
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In this question, Reserves refers to part-time employment in the Army Reserve, Navy 

Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, or Coast Guard Reserve. These 

reserve components are administered and trained by the corresponding service 

branch.

In this question, National Guard refers to part-time employment in the Army National 

Guard or Air National Guard. National Guard personnel operate under a state governor, 

except when called into federal service.

Question 

Name

N12ACS16A

Help Text Answer Yes if you are deaf or if you have a hearing impairment that makes it very 

difficult to hear what is said in a conversation with another person or very difficult to 

hear what is said in a telephone or radio broadcast.

Question 

Name

N12ACS16B

Help Text Answer Yes if you are blind or if you have a vision impairment that makes it very 

difficult to do things that other people of the same age do, such as read a newspaper 

or book, watch television, or drive a car, even while wearing glasses or other corrective 

lenses.

Question 

Name

N12ACS17A

Help Text Answer Yes if it is sometimes or always very difficult or impossible to remember or 

concentrate, if you forget to eat, forget to take medication, if you have Alzheimer's 

disease or dementia, or if you have a serious learning disability.

Question 

Name

N12ACS17B

Help Text Answer Yes if it is sometimes or always very difficult or impossible to walk three city 

blocks or to climb a flight of stairs.

Question 

Name

N12MAIN

Help Text From the options provided, indicate which you consider to be your main type of 

condition or impairment. Select the option that has the most significant effect on your 

daily activities. 

Question 

Name

N12EXTERNAL

Help Text With the permission of NPSAS project staff, qualified external researchers may be 

permitted to work with RTI to invite some students to participate in future studies to 

learn more about their experiences after completing this survey. Your responses to the 

NPSAS survey will always remain confidential, because your privacy is protected by 

federal law and information we have collected cannot be disclosed or used in 

identifiable form, except as required by law (20 U.S.C. § 9573). 
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Your participation in any future studies is completely voluntary, but there is no 

substitute for your response. It does not affect the token of appreciation you will 

receive from your participation in the NPSAS study. If you do elect to participate in 

future studies, their sponsor is required to inform you of the study’s purpose, how your 

data will be used, and how it will be protected. 

Question 

Name

N12PHYSH

Help Text Please describe your general level of physical health. Physical health concerns can 

include illness and injury to the body.

Question 

Name

N12MENTH

Help Text Please describe your general level of mental health. Examples of mental health 

concerns include depression, anxiety, loss of emotional control and lack of 

psychological well-being.

Question 

Name

N12MISSH

Help Text Physical health concerns can include illness and injury to the body. 

Examples of mental health concerns include depression, anxiety, loss of emotional 

control and lack of psychological well-being.

Question 

Name

N12LINTRO

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Next button.)

Question 

Name

N12NAME

Help Text Verify that your name is correct and make any necessary changes.

Question 

Name

N12VERLOC

Help Text Indicate which address is your local address. If your local address is not one of the 

addresses displayed or if you need to correct the spelling of the street or city, indicate 

Local address is different from above.

Your local address is usually where you reside while you are attending [Y_NPSCHL]. 

Question 

Name

N12LOCADR

Help Text Please provide the information for your local address. Verify all spelling.

(Your zip code can be used to automatically fill in the city and state associated with 

that zip code. To do this, first enter your zip code and then click Automatically fill 

city and state from zip code).

Your local address is typically where you reside while you are attending [Y_NPSCHL].
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Question 

Name

N12P1AD1

Help Text Provide information for your parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Verify the spelling of 

names, and the street and city where they live. (The zip code can be used to 

automatically fill in the city and state associated with that zip code. To do this, first 

enter your zip code and then click Automatically fill city and state from zip code).

This information will help us locate you when we are conducting the follow-up survey 

about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12P2SAME

Help Text Answer Yes if you'd like to provide another parent's contact information.

Your parents' contact information will help us locate you when we are conducting the 

follow-up survey about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12P2AD2

Help Text Provide information for your other parent(s) or legal guardian(s). Verify the spelling of 

names, and the street and city where they live. (The zip code can be used to 

automatically fill in the city and state associated with that zip code. To do this, first 

enter your zip code and then click Automatically fill city and state from zip code).

This information will help us locate you when we are conducting the follow-up survey 

about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12OTINFO

Help Text Provide the requested information for your other contact. Please do not provide 

information for someone with whom you currently live. Verify the spelling of his or her 

name, street, and city. (The zip code can be used to automatically fill in the city and 

state associated with that zip code. To do this, first enter your zip code and then click 

Automatically fill city and state from zip code).

This information will help us locate you when we are conducting the follow-up survey 

about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12SPS

Help Text Provide your spouse's first name, last name, and previous last name (if applicable). 

Verify that the spelling is correct. 

Question 

Name

N12VERPRM

Help Text Indicate which address is your permanent address. Your permanent address is usually 

your legal residence, which is typically defined as the residence where you are 

registered to vote, where you pay your local and state taxes, and where you maintain 

your driver's license and car registration. If you are under 24 years of age, or are 

dependent on parental support, your legal residence is usually the residence of your 
12/19/11

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parents or legal guardians. 

Check your permanent address information for the correct spelling of street and city. If 

the address needs correction, indicate Permanent address is different from 

above.

Also indicate Permanent address is different from above if your permanent 

address is not one of the addresses provided.

Question 

Name

N12PRMADR

Help Text Provide the information for your permanent address. Verify the spelling of the street 

and city. (Your zip code can be used to automatically fill in the city and state associated 

with that zip code. To do this, first enter your zip code and then click Automatically fill 

city and state from zip code).

Your permanent address is usually your legal residence, which is typically defined as 

the residence where you are registered to vote, where you pay your local and state 

taxes, and where you maintain your driver's license and car registration. If you are 

under 24 years of age, or are dependent on parental support, your legal residence is 

usually the residence of your parents or legal guardians.

This information will help us locate you when we are conducting the follow-up survey 

about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12EMAIL

Help Text This information will help us locate you when we are conducting the follow-up survey 

about 2 years from now.

Question 

Name

N12TEXT

Help Text If you would like to be sent a text message reminder about the follow-up survey, 

indicate the number provided if it is correct, or provide the correct number.

Question 

Name

N12CELLPRO

Help Text Tell us who your cell phone service provider is so that we can contact you for the 

follow-up survey. If your provider is not listed, select the Other option.

Question 

Name

N12SSNINF

Help Text Your Social Security number will be used to locate you for the purpose of a follow-up 

interview.

Question 

Name

INCENT

Help Text Check the address information for the correct spelling of street and city. If the address 

you would like the incentive check mailed to needs correction, select Another 

address (so we can collect the corrected address on the next screen.)
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If you would like your incentive check mailed to an address that is not provided, select 

Another address or Provide address.

If you do not want to receive the incentive check, indicate No thanks. I decline the 

incentive.

Question 

Name

INCENTADDR

Help Text Provide the requested information for the address to which you would like the incentive 

check mailed. Verify the spelling of the street and city.

(Your zip code can be used to automatically fill in the city and state associated with 

that zip code. To do this, first enter your zip code and then click Automatically fill 

city and state from zip code).

If you do not want to receive the incentive check, indicate I decline the incentive.

Question 

Name

END

Help Text This is an informational screen only. (Click the Finish button.)