NPSAS, a nationally representative study of how students and their families finance education beyond high school, was first implemented by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 1987 and has been fielded every 3 to 4 years since. This submission is for collection of student data in the eighth cycle in the series, NPSAS:12, and supplements the recently obtained approval for NPSAS:12 collection of institutional data (OMB# 1850-0666 v.9). NPSAS:12 will also serve as the base year study for the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS) of first-time postsecondary students that will focus on issues of persistence, degree attainment, and employment outcome. BPS will conduct follow-up studies in 2014 and 2017, with revised strata for institution sampling to reflect the recent growth in enrollment in for-profit 4-year institutions. Institution contacting for the full scale collection will begin in September 2011, list collection will be conducted January through June 2012, and student data collection will take place January through September 2012. This submission requests approval for collecting student records, conducting student interviews, and post-data collection administrative record matching for the full-scale NPSAS:12.
The apparent increase in the requested burden hours is due to the fact that the last approval was for full scale data collection from institutions only, while this request is for all of the full scale data collection from both, institutions and students.
Additionally, estimates for response burden for the student interview and records collection increased to 23.6 hours based on the field test experience. The estimated average response burden for the full-scale student interview increased minimally to 25.2 minutes based on the field test experience and known revisions to the instrument since the field test.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
NPSAS12 FS Student Data Collection Passback Responses.docx
NPSAS 2012 Full Scale Institution Summary of Changes Memo.doc
Institution Registration Page