Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2019-20 through 2021-22

IPEDS 2020-21 IC Institutional Characteristics

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2019-20 through 2021-22

OMB: 1850-0582

⚠️ Notice: This form may be outdated. More recent filings and information on OMB 1850-0582 can be found here:

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Institutional Characteristics
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2019-20
to 2021-22

Changes for 2020-21 are included in the attached survey materials.
Please note that the terminology 'COVID-19' will be replaced with the terminology
'coronavirus pandemic' before the materials are released.

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for 4-year degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational, academic or continuing professional programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Continuing professional (postbaccalaureate only)

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

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Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Be sure to select the correct control for your institution. Errors on this question have an impact throughout the IPEDS surveys, in federal reporting, in net price
groupings, and on your institutions' appearance to students. If you reported incorrectly in a previous year, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568 to
correct the error.

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

2. What award levels are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]
Award Levels reported should be completed based on the current year. When reporting award levels for subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates (levels 1a, 1b, 2, and 4),
determine program length by the number of credit or clock hours, NOT the academic year length in parentheses. The academic year length is meant only to provide
context.
The "Other" award level should not be used unless your program truly does not ﬁt any of the other award levels. We expect very few institutions to ﬁt the "Other"
category.
Even though Teacher Preparation certiﬁcate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate undergraduate
programs. Check the applicable award level 1a, 1b,, 2, or 4, depending on the length of the Teacher Preparation program.
Award Level
BELOW THE BACCALAUREATE:

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours, or
- at least 30 but less than 60 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- at least 45 but less than 90 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

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Yes, I conﬁrm that I reviewed the award levels offered by my institution above.
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website.
Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily
understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).

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Part B - Organization - Calendar System
Your response to the next question determines how your institution reports Institutional Characteristics student charges data in the fall, Student Financial Aid data in
the winter, and Graduation Rates data in the winter. It also impacts the net price calculation in the Student Financial Aid survey.
If the calendar system differs from prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
3. What is the predominant calendar system at the institution? [Choose one]
Academic Year Reporting Method (Standard academic terms)

Selecting one of the following calendar types determines that your institution will provide Student Financial Aid and Graduation Rates data based on a FALL
COHORT, and student charges data for a full ACADEMIC YEAR.

Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Selecting one of the following calendar types determines that your institution will provide Student Financial Aid and Graduation Rates data based on a FULL-YEAR
COHORT, and student charges data by PROGRAM.

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Selecting the hybrid calendar type determines that your institution will provide Graduation Rates data based on a FULL-YEAR COHORT, student charges data for a
full ACADEMIC YEAR, and Student Financial Aid data for students enrolling between August 1 and October 31.

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

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Part B - Organization - Student Enrollment
4. Does your institution enroll any of the following types of students?
Include all levels offered by your institution, even if there are no students currently enrolled at that level.
Responses to these questions determine which screens will be generated for reporting academic year tuition charges, and for reporting Fall Enrollment during the
Spring collection. Additionally, checking Yes for full-time, ﬁrst-time, degree/certiﬁcate-seeking undergraduate students determines that your institution must report
cost of attendance data (on the IC component) and Student Financial Aid data for these students.

Undergraduate (academic or occupational programs)

Yes

First‑time, degree/certiﬁcate‑seeking undergraduate

Yes

Graduate (not including doctor's‑professional practice)

Yes

Full-time

Part-time

5. Does your institution enroll students in doctor's degree - professional practice programs?

Checking Yes for this question will allow your institution to report graduate level students in Fall Enrollment. If you select Yes to enrolling students in one of the listed
programs, you will also report tuition for the appropriate program(s).

Yes

Do you enroll students in one of the following?
Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.), Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), Medicine (M.D.), Optometry (O.D.), Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Podiatry
(Pod.D., D.P., or D.P.M.), Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), Law (J.D.)

Yes

6. For Fall 2014, did your institution have any full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students enrolled in programs at the baccalaureate level or below?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be required to provide Graduation Rates data for the 2014-15 cohort in the winter collection. If you answer No to this
question, indicate the reason you are not required to report Graduation Rates for the cohort year requested.
If you reported any full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking undergraduates on the 2014-15 Enrollment survey, the data will be preloaded below.

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time (undergraduate) students.

This institution did not offer programs at or below the baccalaureate level.

This institution was not in operation in 2014-15.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2014-15 Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

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Part B - Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization
7. Multi-institution or multi-campus organization
Is the institution part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution? Do NOT indicate a religious aﬃliation here;
that information is collected separately.
If you need assistance, contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568. You will not be able to lock your submission if this question is blank.

No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Open Admission
1. Does your institution have an open admission policy for all or most entering ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking undergraduate-level students?
If the only requirement for admission is a high school diploma or GED/other equivalent, your institution is still considered open admission. Institutions that require
only an Ability to Beneﬁt or similar test beyond the diploma/equivalent, and only reject a very small number of students based on the test, are also considered open
admission.
If your institution does not have an open admission policy, you will be required to report Admissions component on your admissions procedures and admissions
yield.

Yes

You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website.
Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily
understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Library Access and Expenses
2. Does your institution have access to a library collection?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

Were your annual total library expenses for Fiscal Year 2020 greater than zero?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

Doctor's-professional practice

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Part time

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IC Header Full Instructions for 4-yr degree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Coverage
Where to Get Help
Where the Data Will Appear
Reporting Directions
Part A - Educational Offerings
Part B - Organization
Control and Award Levels
Calendar System
Enrollment Levels and GR cohort question
Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Library Expenses
Level of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

Purpose of Survey
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) survey is to collect basic institutional data including control or affiliation, calendar
system, and award levels. These data are key to accurate reporting as they are used to determine the reporting for other IPEDS surveys. Any errors in the IC-H
survey can lead to further errors in the data reporting process, so please be very careful in reporting these data correctly, and contact the IPEDS Help Desk
(877.225.2568) if you have any questions.

Changes in reporting
The following changes were implemented for the 2020-21 data collection period:
The term 'contact hour' has been replaced with the term 'clock hour'
The term 'formal award' has been replaced with the term 'recognized postsecondary credential'
There is a new instruction to exclude students participating in Experimental Pell (See https://experimentalsites.ed.gov/exp/approved.html)
For 2020-21 changes, please review the preview screens available on the Survey Materials page.

General instructions
Reporting period covered
Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) covers data for the current year with two exceptions.
Cohort data in B6 refer to a past cohort and are used to set the Graduation Rates component (GR).
For new institutions, the question about prior year operation refers to the prior academic year and is used to determine the applicability of the 12-Month
Enrollment (E12) component.

Context Boxes
Context boxes are provided to allow institutions to provide more information regarding survey component items. Note that some context boxes are posted on
the College Navigator Website, which is the college search tool offered by NCES. NCES will review entries in these context boxes for applicability and
appropriateness before posting them on the College Navigator Website, however, institutions should check grammar and spelling of their entries. Inappropriate
or repetitive contexts will be deleted.

Coverage
Carefully read each question in the Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) survey to ensure that you are reporting data for the appropriate students. The
student groups for which data are collected vary throughout the IC-H survey (e.g., undergraduate and graduate). In general, for each group, ensure that the
guidelines below are met.

A. Who to Include
Students enrolled in courses creditable toward a diploma, certificate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential, including those enrolled in
off-campus centers
High school students taking regular college courses for credit
Full-time students taking remedial courses IF the student is considered degree-seeking for the purpose of student financial aid determination
Students from overseas enrolled in U.S. courses for credit (e.g., online students)
Graduate students enrolled for thesis credits, even when zero credits are awarded, as these students are still enrolled and seeking their degree

B. Who NOT to Include
Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential
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Students enrolled exclusively in Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Students exclusively auditing classes
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice (previously first-professional), since they have already received their Doctor's degree
Students studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at the "home" institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal
Students in any branch campus located in a foreign country
Students in Experimental Pell programs.

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Web Tutorials
You can consult the IPEDS Website's Trainings & Outreach page which contains several tutorials on IPEDS data collection, a self-paced overview of IPEDS tools,
and other valuable resources.

IPEDS Resource Page
The IPEDS Website's Reporting Tools page contains frequently asked questions, a link to data tip sheets, tutorials, taxonomies, information centers (e.g.,
academic libraries, average net price, human resources, race/ethnicity, etc.), and other valuable information.

Where the Data Will Appear
Data collected through IPEDS will be accessible at the institution and aggregate levels.
At the institution-level, data will appear in the:
College Navigator Website
IPEDS Data Center
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
College Affordability and Transparency Center Website
At the aggregate-level, data will appear in:
IPEDS First Looks
IPEDS Table Library
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
The Digest of Education Statistics
The Condition of Education

Reporting Directions
Part A - Educational Offerings
Responses on this screen verify inclusion of the institution on the NCES/IPEDS list of institutions and agencies that provide all types of postsecondary
education. Postsecondary education is defined as the provision of a formal instructional program whose curriculum is designed primarily for students beyond
the compulsory age for high school. This includes programs whose purpose is occupational, academic, or continuing professional education but excludes
avocational and adult basic education programs.
If you select only avocational and/or adult basic education programs, you will be contacted by IPEDS to confirm your exemption from IPEDS reporting.

Part B – Organization
Institutional Control or Affiliation
Indicate the appropriate control or affiliation under which the institution operates. If the institution has a religious affiliation, select the denomination from
the list provided in the drop-down box. Public institutions must designate a primary control; identification of a secondary control is optional. If control of the
institution differs from the prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Correct reporting of control or affiliation is KEY to IPEDS reporting. Errors in reporting control or affiliation cause you to receive incorrect survey forms,
misrepresent your institution to the public on College Navigator and other search tools that use IPEDS data, and place your institution in incorrect groups in
IPEDS publications and on the College Affordability and Transparency Lists. If you do not know the control or affiliation of your institution, please call the
Help Desk.

Award Levels
Check applicable award levels for all credit programs offered at the institution. Award levels are identified based on duration and/or awards.
Report using the number of CLOCK or CREDIT hours, as is appropriate to your calendar system (e.g., semester or quarter).
References to length of study are the equivalent of full-time academic years; that is, at least 1 but less than 2 years refers to the number of
credits or the course load that would normally be completed by a full-time student attending within the stated time period.
One academic year equals 900 clock hours of instruction, 30 semester credit hours or its equivalent, or 45 quarter credit hours.
Award levels 1a, 1b, 2, and 4 differ by length of programs and refer to completions below the baccalaureate degree. Use the IPEDS designations, not
institutionally defined designations, to describe these levels.
Award levels 3, 5, 7, 17, 18, and 19 indicate degree levels for which the institution is authorized to make recognized postsecondary credentials.
Award levels 6 and 8 indicate certificate levels.
If you cannot classify an award within the award levels indicated on the screen, check award level 12 ("Other") and specify or describe the award in the
context box. Because there are few programs that fall under "Other" please contact the Help Desk if you are considering selecting Level 12.
NOTE: Even though Teacher Preparation certificate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate
undergraduate programs. Check the applicable award level 1a, 1b, 2, or 4, depending on the length of the Teacher Preparation program.

Calendar System
Indicate the predominant calendar system under which the institution operates. If programs are offered on more than one calendar, select the system
under which most programs are offered. If there is no predominant calendar system at your institution, select the option that best characterizes your
institution.
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If your calendar system differs from the prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Note: Calendar system selection determines reporting in many other IPEDS components. Be sure that the calendar system you select accurately represents
your institution. Contact the IPEDS Help Desk if you are not sure which calendar system to select.
Standard academic terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters, 4-1-4)
Use a Fall cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled as of October 15, or the official Fall reporting date used by the institution. This Fall
enrollment cohort will be preloaded into the next year's Student Financial Aid component.
For Student Financial Aid, report aid for an academic year.
Program-by-program or continuous enrollment basis
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and books and supplies information by program for the entire length of the program. For living expenses, report
costs for 4 weeks (1 month). Note: Living expenses are only applicable to institutions with full-time, first-time students and are reported
with the largest program.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
For Student Financial Aid, report aid for the largest program for an academic year.
Hybrid academic calendar (If you are considering selecting the "Other academic calendar" option, please contact the Help Desk at 877.225.2568 so
they can confirm the appropriateness of this calendar system for your institution.)
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
For Student Financial Aid, report students enrolled in the prior academic year between August 1 and October 31, and the aid for an academic
year.

Student Enrollment
Enrollment of full- and part-time students
Indicate whether your institution enrolls any full-time or part-time students at the levels listed. Include all levels offered, even if there are not any students
currently enrolled at that level.
Responses to those categories will determine the screens generated for reporting academic year tuition charges in the Institutional Characteristics survey
during the Fall collection and enrollment data in the Fall Enrollment survey during the Spring collection.
Make sure to check "Yes" for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students if applicable, as this determines that your institution will report
cost information on Institutional Characteristics screens in Part D and Student Financial Aid information during the Winter collection.
Doctor's - professional practice
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed Doctor's - professional practice programs. If your institution offers Doctor's -professional practice
programs but does not offer any of the listed programs, indicate no.
GR cohort question.
4-year institutions. Indicate if your institution had any full-time, first-time undergraduate students enrolled in programs at the baccalaureate level or
below in the academic year indicated on the screen. If you indicate Yes, you must report Graduation Rates data in the Winter collection.
Less-than-4-year institutions. Indicate if your institution had any full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students enrolled in the academic
year indicated on the screen. If you check Yes, you must report Graduation Rates data in the Winter collection.

Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization
If applicable, select from the provided list the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution. If you do not
see your multi-institution or multi-organization listed, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk.
A multi-institution or multi-campus organization includes organizations with two or more institutions or campuses.
Non-postsecondary education agencies that govern or control institutions include, but are not limited to, public school districts, art organizations, hospitals
and other medical/health organizations.
Do not include:
coordinating systems
single institution owner
single institution corporate name
single institution governing board
consortia
associations
religious affiliation (requested in control question)

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open admission policy
Check Yes if your institution has an open admission policy.
If your institution requires only a high school diploma/equivalent and/or Ability to Benefit (or similar) test, and few students are not admitted based on the
test, your institution is still considered open admission. For example, if you have students take the ATB test and allow 98% of those students to enroll, you
are likely open admission. The 2% that were not admitted had unusual circumstances that kept them from being admitted.
Note: IPEDS does not have a set percentage to determine open admission. Please review your institution's admission policy or talk to someone in the
admissions office if you are not sure whether your institution is open admission, or contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.

Library Access and Expenses
Indicate whether the institution has access to a library collection and/or the annual total library expenses at your institution were greater than zero for
Fiscal Year 2020. Fiscal Year 2020 is defined as the most recent 12-month period that corresponds to your institution's fiscal year that ends before October
1, 2020.
A library collection is defined as “comprising documents held locally and remote resources for which permanent or temporary access rights have been
acquired. Access rights may be acquired by the library itself, by a consortium and/or through external funding. Acquisition is to be understood as securing
access rights and including it in the library catalog, other library databases or discovery systems.”
Expenses include funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other known sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services. Those libraries in consortia or those that share all their resources with another
institution, please report whether the total annual library expenses at YOUR institution were greater than zero in Fiscal Year 2020.
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If the institution does not have access to a library collection and the institution's library expenses are equal to 0, you will not be asked to complete the
Academic Libraries (AL) component in the Spring.

Levels of Enrollment
New institutions should indicate whether their institution was in operation during the prior academic year. If the response is "Yes", they should also indicate
the levels that were offered.

Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Courses designed primarily for students 16 years of age and older to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
These courses are not intended to be part of a program leading to a high school credential, nor are they part of any academic,
occupational, or vocational program at the postsecondary level.

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Instructional programs in personal interest and leisure categories whose expressed intent is not to produce postsecondary
credits, nor to lead to a recognized postsecondary credential or an academic degree, nor result in occupationally speciﬁc skills.

Bachelor's degree

An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education) that normally
requires at least 4 but not more than 5 years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes all bachelor's degrees
conferred in a 5-year cooperative (work-study) program. A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and
employment in business, industry, or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college
studies. Also includes bachelor's degrees in which the normal 4 years of work are completed in 3 years.

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

A period of time consisting of (1) A 50- to 60-minute class, lecture, or recitation in a 60-minute period; (2) A 50- to 60-minute
faculty-supervised laboratory, shop training, or internship in a 60-minute period; or (3) Sixty minutes of preparation in a
correspondence course.

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Programs and courses designed speciﬁcally for individuals who have completed a degree in a professional ﬁeld (such as law,
medicine, dentistry, education, or social work) to obtain additional training in their particular ﬁeld of study.

Continuous basis

A calendar system classiﬁcation that is used by institutions that allow students to enroll/start classes at any time during the
year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school might allow students to enroll and begin studies at
various times, with no requirement that classes begin on a certain date.

Credit hour

A unit of measure representing the equivalent of an hour (50 minutes) of instruction per week over the entire term. It is applied
toward the total number of credit hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certiﬁcate, or other
recognized postsecondary credential.

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

A calendar system classiﬁcation that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational programs of varying lengths.
These schools may enroll students at speciﬁc times depending on the program desired. For example, a school might offer a 2month program in January, March, May, September, and November; and a 3-month program in January, April, and October.

Fall cohort

The group of students entering in the fall term established for tracking purposes. For the Graduation Rates component, this
includes all students who enter an institution as full-time, ﬁrst-time degree or certiﬁcate-seeking undergraduate students during
the fall term of a given year.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

A student who has no prior postsecondary experience (except as noted below) attending any institution for the ﬁrst time at the
undergraduate level. This includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs. It also includes students enrolled in
the fall term who attended college for the ﬁrst time in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing
(college credits or recognized postsecondary credential earned before graduation from high school).

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Undergraduate: A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, or 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a
week each term. Graduate: A student enrolled for 9 or more semester credits, or 9 or more quarter credits, or a student involved
in thesis or dissertation preparation that is considered full-time by the institution. Doctor's degree - Professional practice - as
deﬁned by the institution.

Full-year cohort

This is a group of students entering at any time during the 12-month period for tracking and reporting. For Graduation Rate (GR),
a full-year cohort is from September 1 through August 31 and is used primarily by institutions that offer occupational programs
of varying lengths. Students must be full-time and ﬁrst-time to be considered in the cohort. For Outcome Measures (OM)
component, all degree-granting institutions report on a full-year cohort from July 1 through June 30. Students are reported once
in one of the four OM cohorts: ﬁrst-time, full-time; ﬁrst-time, part-time: non-ﬁrst-time, full-time; or non-ﬁrst-time, part-time.

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), conducted by the NCES, began in 1986 and involves annual
institution-level data collections. All postsecondary institutions that have a Program Participation Agreement with the Oﬃce of
Postsecondary Education (OPE), U.S. Department of Education (throughout IPEDS referred to as "Title IV") are required to report
data using a web-based data collection system. IPEDS currently consists of the following components: Institutional
Characteristics (IC); 12-month Enrollment (E12);Completions (C); Admissions (ADM); Student Financial Aid (SFA); Human
Resources (HR) composed of Employees by Assigned Position, Fall Staff, and Salaries; Fall Enrollment (EF); Graduation Rates
(GR); Outcome Measures (OM); Finance (F); and Academic Libraries (AL).

Master's degree

An award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of at least the full-time equivalent of 1 but not more
than 2 academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree.
Some of these degrees, such as those in Theology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classiﬁed as "ﬁrst-professional", may
require more than two full-time equivalent academic years of work.

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Undergraduate: A student enrolled for either less than 12 semester or quarter credits, or less than 24 clock hours a week each
term. Graduate: A student enrolled for less than 9 semester or quarter credits.

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program of study beyond the bachelor's. It is designed for persons who have
completed a baccalaureate degree, but does not meet the requirements of a master's degree.
NOTE: Even though Teacher Preparation certiﬁcate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are
considered sub-bacalaureate undergraduate programs, and students in these programs are undergraduate students.

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

An award that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate
degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years , or designed for completion in at least 30 but less than
60 semester or trimester credit hours, or in at least 45 but less than 90 quarter credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800
clock hours.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

An award that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate
degree) in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years , or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than
120 semester or trimester credit hours, or in at least 90 but less than 180 quarter credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than
3,600 clock hours.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

An award that requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate
degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters), or designed for completion in less than 30 semester or
trimester credit hours, or in less than 45 quarter credit hours, or in less than 900 clock hours.

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by
other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed oﬃcials. These institutions may be either forproﬁt or not-for-proﬁt.

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent not-for-proﬁt schools and those aﬃliated with a religious
organization.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs requiring at least 2 years but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college level work, including associate's degrees
and programs that can be completed in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours to obtain a degree, diploma, certiﬁcate, or
other recognized postsecondary credential.

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs designed to be completed in at least 8 semesters or 12 quarters to obtain a degree, diploma, or other recognized
postsecondary credential. Includes programs resulting in all bachelor's degrees and other baccalaureate level or equivalent
degrees, as well as 5-year cooperative programs, and those programs in which the normal 4 years of work are designed to be
completed in 3 years.

Programs of less than 2 years

Programs requiring less than 2 years of full-time equivalent college level work (4 semesters or 6 quarters) or less than 1,800
clock hours to obtain a degree, diploma, certiﬁcate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

A calendar system in which the academic year consists of 3 sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each. The range may
be from 10 to 15 weeks as deﬁned by the institution. There may be an additional quarter in the summer.

Semester (calendar system)

A calendar system that consists of two sessions called semesters during the academic year with about 15 weeks for each
semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session. Note: the standard term length range is deﬁned by the
Oﬃce of Postsecondary Education. More information can be found at: https://ifap.ed.gov/electronicannouncements/110519RevisionGuidelinesApplicableStandardTerms

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

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Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Category used to describe "non-traditional" calendar systems at 4-year and 2-year degree-granting institutions. These can
include schools that offer primarily on-line courses or "one course at a time."

Control (of institution)

A classiﬁcation of whether an institution is operated by publicly elected or appointed oﬃcials (public control) or by privately
elected or appointed oﬃcials and derives its major source of funds from private sources (private control).

Educational offerings

Educational programs offered by postsecondary institutions that are occupational, academic, or continuing professional that
qualify as postsecondary education programs OR recreational or avocational, adult basic, remedial instruction, high school
equivalency, or high school programs that are not deemed postsecondary.

Institutional aﬃliation

A classiﬁcation that indicates whether a private not-for-proﬁt institution is associated with a religious group or denomination.
Private not-for-proﬁt institutions may be either independent or religiously aﬃliated.

Less than 2-year institution

A postsecondary institution that offers programs of less than 2-years duration below the baccalaureate level. Includes
occupational and vocational schools with programs that do not exceed 1800 clock hours .

Title IV institution

An institution that has a written agreement with the Secretary of Education that allows the institution to participate in any of the
Title IV federal student ﬁnancial assistance programs (other than the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) and the National Early
Intervention Scholarship and Partnership (NEISP) programs).

Library collections

Comprise of documents held locally and remote resources for which permanent or temporary access rights have been acquired.
Access rights may be acquired by the library itself, by a consortium and/or through external funding. Acquisition is to be
understood as securing access rights and including it in the library catalog, other library databases or discovery systems.

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

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.

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

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 were formerly classiﬁed as ﬁrst-professional and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry
(D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (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.

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Information collected in the Institutional Characteristics Header component which indicates all applicable levels for all credit
programs offered at an institution. Award levels are identiﬁed on the basis of recognition for their completion, duration, or a
combination thereof. Degree-designated award levels indicate those degree levels for which the institution is authorized to offer
recognized postsecondary credentials. Length of study is the equivalent of the number of full-time academic years. For example,
at least 1 but less than 2 years refers to the number of credits or the course load that would normally be completed by a full-time
student attending within the stated time period.

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

A recognized postsecondary credential includes any credential that is received after completion of a program that is eligible for
Title IV federal student aid or that is awarded in recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or
industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry/occupation. These technical or
industry/occupational skills generally are based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations.

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IC Header
Click one of the following questions to view the answer.
General
1)If my institution offers an award level but currently does not have any students enrolled at that level how should I report?
2)Can I change my Institutional Characteristics Header data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
3)In what award level category should Teachers Preparation certiﬁcates be reported?
4)My institution has a system oﬃce. Does the system oﬃce need to complete an Institutional Characteristics - Header survey?
5)Should my institution, which is participating as an experimental site, report high school students or incarcerated students who have received a Pell Grant while
taking college coursework?

Answer:
General
1)
If my institution offers an award level but currently does not have any students enrolled at that level how should I report?
You should indicate all levels of awards that your institution is authorized to grant.
2)
Can I change my Institutional Characteristics Header data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
It is important to report IC Header data correctly the ﬁrst time, as changes to this component affect all of the other surveys. If you made an error that impacts your
ability to respond appropriately to other components, call the Help Desk at 877-225-2568, and they will change the necessary data. For example, if you indicated that
you do not enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students (thus no GRS or SFA surveys are generated), you may correct your answer so that you can complete this survey.
3)
In what award level category should Teachers Preparation certiﬁcates be reported?
Even though Teacher Preparation certiﬁcate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate undergraduate
programs, and students in these programs are undergraduate students.
4)
My institution has a system oﬃce. Does the system oﬃce need to complete an Institutional Characteristics - Header survey?
Any system or central oﬃce that employs 15 or more full-time staff OR has its own budget (and therefore must report IPEDS Finance data) must also complete the
Institutional Characteristics - Header survey. The administrative oﬃce must indicate all types and levels of instruction and programs offered at all of the institutions
in its system. This will ensure that each institution in the system is represented.
5)
Should my institution, which is participating as an experimental site, report high school students or incarcerated students who have received a Pell Grant while
taking college coursework?
If your institution is participating in the Dual Enrollment experimental site or the Second Chance Pell experimental site program, exclude these students from
reporting.

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for less-than-2-year institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational or academic programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

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Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

Other (please specify in context box below)

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Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Academic Year Reporting Method (Standard academic terms)

Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

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Full-time

Part-time

Students in academic or occupational programs

Yes

First-time students

Yes

6. For academic year 2017-18, did your institution enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be required to provide Graduation Rates data for the 2017-18 cohort in the winter collection. If you answer No to this
question, indicate the reason you are not required to report Graduation Rates for the cohort year requested. If you reported any full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcateseeking students on the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey, the data will be preloaded below.

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students.

This institution was not in operation in 2017-18.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

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No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Open Admission
1. Does your institution have an open admission policy for all or most entering ﬁrst-time students?
If the only requirement for admission is a high school diploma or GED/other equivalent, your institution is still considered open admission. Institutions that require
only an Ability to Beneﬁt or similar test beyond the diploma/equivalent, and only reject a very small number of students based on the test, are also considered open
admission.
If your institution does not have an open admission policy, you will be required to report Admissions component on your admissions procedures and admissions
yield.

Yes

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Part time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

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IC Header Full Instructions for less than 2-year institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Levels of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

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Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

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Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30090&formid=90&faqid=13

12/15

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30090&formid=90&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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14/15

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30090&formid=90&faqid=13

Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

15/15

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for 4-year non-degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational, academic or continuing professional programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Continuing professional (postbaccalaureate only)

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

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IPEDS Data Collection System

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Undergraduate (academic or occupational programs)

Yes

First‑time, degree/certiﬁcate‑seeking undergraduate

Yes

Graduate (not including doctor's‑professional practice)

Yes

Full-time

Part-time

5. Does your institution enroll students in doctor's degree - professional practice programs?

Yes

6. For Fall 2014, did your institution have any full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students enrolled in programs at the baccalaureate level or below?

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time (undergraduate) students.

This institution did not offer programs at or below the baccalaureate level.

This institution was not in operation in 2014-15.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2014-15 Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Yes

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

Doctor's-professional practice

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

Part time

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IPEDS Data Collection System

IC Header Full Instructions for 4-yr nondegree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Level of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

B. Who NOT to Include
Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential
Students enrolled exclusively in Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
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IPEDS Data Collection System

Students exclusively auditing classes
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice (previously first-professional), since they have already received their Doctor's degree
Students studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at the "home" institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal
Students in any branch campus located in a foreign country
Students in Experimental Pell programs.

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

15/16

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30105&formid=95&faqid=13

Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

16/16

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for private 2-year degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational or academic programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Full-time

Part-time

Students in academic or occupational programs

Yes

First-time students

Yes

6. For academic year 2017-18, did your institution enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students?

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students.

This institution was not in operation in 2017-18.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

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IPEDS Data Collection System

No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Yes

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Library Access and Expenses
2. Does your institution have access to a library collection?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

Were your annual total library expenses for Fiscal Year 2020 greater than zero?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Part time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

IC Header Full Instructions for private 2-yr degree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Library Expenses
Levels of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

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IPEDS Data Collection System

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

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6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30108&formid=93&faqid=13

Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

18/18

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for private 2-year non-degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational or academic programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

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Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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Full-time

Part-time

Students in academic or occupational programs

Yes

First-time students

Yes

6. For academic year 2017-18, did your institution enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students?

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students.

This institution was not in operation in 2017-18.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Yes

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Part time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

IC Header Full Instructions for private 2-yr nondegree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Levels of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

10/16

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

11/16

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30109&formid=97&faqid=13

Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

16/16

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for public 2-year degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30106&formid=92&faqid=13

1/18

6/24/2020

IPEDS Data Collection System

Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational or academic programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30106&formid=92&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30106&formid=92&faqid=13

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IPEDS Data Collection System

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

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Undergraduate (academic or occupational programs)

Yes

First‑time, degree/certiﬁcate‑seeking undergraduate

Yes

Graduate (not including doctor's‑professional practice)

Yes

Full-time

Part-time

6. For academic year 2017-18, did your institution enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students?

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students.

This institution was not in operation in 2017-18.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

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No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Yes

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Library Access and Expenses
2. Does your institution have access to a library collection?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

Were your annual total library expenses for Fiscal Year 2020 greater than zero?

Yes (receives Academic Libraries component)

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Part time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

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IC Header Full Instructions for public 2-yr degree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Library Expenses
Levels of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

B. Who NOT to Include
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Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential
Students enrolled exclusively in Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Students exclusively auditing classes
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice (previously first-professional), since they have already received their Doctor's degree
Students studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at the "home" institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal
Students in any branch campus located in a foreign country
Students in Experimental Pell programs.

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Calendar System

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Indicate the predominant calendar system under which the institution operates. If programs are offered on more than one calendar, select the system
under which most programs are offered. If there is no predominant calendar system at your institution, select the option that best characterizes your
institution.
If your calendar system differs from the prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Note: Calendar system selection determines reporting in many other IPEDS components. Be sure that the calendar system you select accurately represents
your institution. Contact the IPEDS Help Desk if you are not sure which calendar system to select.
Standard academic terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters, 4-1-4)
Use a Fall cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled as of October 15, or the official Fall reporting date used by the institution. This Fall
enrollment cohort will be preloaded into the next year's Student Financial Aid component.
For Student Financial Aid, report aid for an academic year.
Program-by-program or continuous enrollment basis
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and books and supplies information by program for the entire length of the program. For living expenses, report
costs for 4 weeks (1 month). Note: Living expenses are only applicable to institutions with full-time, first-time students and are reported
with the largest program.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
For Student Financial Aid, report aid for the largest program for an academic year.
Hybrid academic calendar (If you are considering selecting the "Other academic calendar" option, please contact the Help Desk at 877.225.2568 so
they can confirm the appropriateness of this calendar system for your institution.)
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
For Student Financial Aid, report students enrolled in the prior academic year between August 1 and October 31, and the aid for an academic
year.

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Expenses include funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other known sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services. Those libraries in consortia or those that share all their resources with another
institution, please report whether the total annual library expenses at YOUR institution were greater than zero in Fiscal Year 2020.
If the institution does not have access to a library collection and the institution's library expenses are equal to 0, you will not be asked to complete the
Academic Libraries (AL) component in the Spring.

Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

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Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
IC Header for public 2-year non-degree-granting institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout
the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a conﬁrmation, if nothing has changed.
Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS
Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question veriﬁes your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information
for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student
Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is
asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
Subbaccalaureate certiﬁcates that are less than one year in length (former category 1) have been segmented into two subcategories based on duration (new
categories 1a and 1b)
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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Part A - Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more]

If your institution does not offer occupational or academic programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey.

Occupational, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential

Academic, may lead to a certiﬁcate, degree, or diploma

Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs

Adult basic or remedial instruction or high school equivalency

Secondary (high school)

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Part B - Organization - Control and Levels
1. What is your institutional control or aﬃliation?

Public - Select primary and/or secondary controls below

Primary control

Secondary control (if applicable)

Select One

Private for-proﬁt

Private not-for-proﬁt independent (no religious aﬃliation)

Private not-for-proﬁt religious aﬃliation - Select aﬃliation below

Select One

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- less than 300 clock hours, or
- less than 9 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- less than 13 quarter credit hours

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 300-899 clock hours, or
- 9-29 semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 13-44 quarter credit hours

Associate's degree

Postsecondary award, certiﬁcate, or diploma of
- 1,800 or more clock hours, or
- 60 or more semester or trimester credit hours, or
- 90 or more quarter credit hours

BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE:
5

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Master's degree

Post-master's certiﬁcate

Doctor's degree - research/scholarship

Doctor's degree - professional practice

Doctor's degree - other

Other (please specify in context box below)

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Semester

Quarter

Trimester

4-1-4 or similar plan

Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system)

Differs by program

Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period)

Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar)

Hybrid (Other academic calendar)

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Undergraduate (academic or occupational programs)

Yes

First‑time, degree/certiﬁcate‑seeking undergraduate

Yes

Graduate (not including doctor's‑professional practice)

Yes

Full-time

Part-time

6. For academic year 2017-18, did your institution enroll any full-time, ﬁrst-time students?

This institution did not enroll full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students.

This institution was not in operation in 2017-18.

Yes

Full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students from the 2017-18 Fall Enrollment survey (GR Cohort)

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No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution.

If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System'
below.

Select System

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Yes

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Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2019-2020?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to specify the levels of enrollment offered at your institution during 2019-2020 and to report 12-month enrollment
during the fall collection.

Yes. Please specify the levels of enrollment offered during 2019-2020.

Undergraduate

Full time

Part time

Graduate (not including doctor's-professional practice)

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IC Header Full Instructions for public 2-yr nondegree-granting institutions
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Levels of Enrollment

Part D - Branch Campus

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Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

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Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Adult basic education

Associate's degree

An award that normally requires at least 2 but less than 4 years of full-time equivalent college work.

Avocational programs

Bachelor's degree

Calendar system

The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Certiﬁcate

A recognized postsecondary credential that is conferred upon the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education
program.

Clock hour

Cohort

A speciﬁc group of students established for tracking purposes.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Continuing professional
education

Continuous basis

Credit hour

Degree

An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as oﬃcial recognition for the
successful completion of a program of studies.

Differs by program (calendar
system)

Fall cohort

First-time student
(undergraduate)

4-1-4 (calendar system)

The 4-1-4 calendar usually consists of 4 courses taken for 4 months, 1 course taken for 1 month, and 4 courses taken for 4
months. There may be an additional summer session.

Full-time student

Full-year cohort

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Master's degree

Occupational program

A program of study consisting of one or more courses, designed to provide the student with suﬃcient knowledge and skills to
perform in a speciﬁc occupation.

Part-time student

Postbaccalaureate certiﬁcate

Post-master's certiﬁcate

An award that requires completion of an organized program beyond the master's degree, but does not meet the requirements of
academic degrees at the doctor's level.

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 1 but less than 2
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (at
least 2 but less than 4
academic years)

Postsecondary award,
certiﬁcate, or diploma (less
than 1 academic year)

Private for-proﬁt institution

A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation other than wages, rent, or other
expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private institution

Private not-for-proﬁt
institution

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Programs of at least 2 years
but less than 4 years

Programs of at least 4 years

Programs of less than 2 years

Public institution

An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school oﬃcials and
which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter (calendar system)

Semester (calendar system)

Trimester (calendar system)

An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

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Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Other academic calendar
system

Control (of institution)

Educational offerings

Institutional aﬃliation

Less than 2-year institution

Title IV institution

Library collections

Doctor's degreeresearch/scholarship

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Doctor's degree-other

A doctor's degree that does not meet the deﬁnition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree professional practice.

Levels of offering

Library expenses

Funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other sources; e.g., research
grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services.

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=12&instructionid=30107&formid=96&faqid=13

Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for 4-year academic year tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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Part A - Mission Statement
1. Provide the institution's mission statement or a web address (URL) where the mission statement can be found. Typed statements are limited to 2,000
characters or less. The mission statement will be available to the public on College Navigator.
Mission Statement URL:

http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

3. If your institution grants a bachelor's degree or higher but does not offer a full 4-year program of study at the undergraduate level, how many years of
completed college-level work are required for entrance?
Number of years

Select One

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Part C - Student Services - Distance Education
Reporting Reminders:
When reporting distance education offerings, do not include remote learning implemented in response to COVID-19 unless the program anticipates
maintaining this modality permanently. Allowing program completion via distance education is not the same as having planned full distance education
programs.
7. Please indicate at what level(s) your institution does or does not offer distance education courses and/or distance education programs. Check all that apply.

Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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Part C - Student Services: Disability Services
9. Please indicate the percentage of all undergraduate students enrolled during Fall 2019 who were formally registered as students with disabilities with the
institution's oﬃce of disability services (or the equivalent oﬃce).

3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

If your institution typically has this requirement but such requirement is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus room and board in the price of attendance (D11).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, ﬁrst-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conﬂicts with
the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very diﬃcult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution.

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

2. Does your institution charge different tuition for in-district, in-state, or out-of-state students?

If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to report tuition amounts for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students.
Please only select Yes if you really charge different tuition rates, or you will be reporting the same numbers 3 times.

Yes

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

If your institution typically offers institutionally-controlled housing but has temporarily suspended such offerings due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to specify a housing capacity, and to report a room charge or a combined room and board charge (D10).

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

If your institution typically offers board or meal plans but has temporarily suspended such offerings due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to report a board charge or combined room and board charge (D10).

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Undergraduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Undergraduate application fee

5. Charges to full-time undergraduate students for the full academic year 2020-21

Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).

In-district

Prior year

In-state

Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

All full-time undergraduates
Average tuition

Required fees

6. Per credit hour charge for part-time undergraduate students

Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).
Do not include fees.
Per credit hour charge

In-district

Prior year

In-state

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Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

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Part D - Graduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Graduate application fee

Please do not include tuition for Doctor’s Degree – Professional Practice programs. Data for those programs are collected separately.
7. Charges to full-time graduate students for the full academic year 2020-21

In-district

Prior year

In-state

Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

Average tuition

Required fees

8. Per credit hour charge for part-time graduate students

Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all graduate students (NOT doctor’s degree-professional practice students).
Do not include fees.
Per credit hour charge

In-district

Prior year

In-state

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Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

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Part D - Student Charges - Graduate, Doctor's-Professional Practice Tuition
9. List the typical tuition and required fees for a full-time doctor's-professional practice student in any of the selected programs for the full academic year 202021.
DO NOT include room and board charges
Doctor's degree-professional practice

In-state

Out-of-state

1. Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

2. Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

3. Medicine (M.D.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

4. Optometry (O.D.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

5. Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

6. Pharmacy (Pharm.D.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

7. Podiatry (Pod.D., D.P., or D.P.M.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

8. Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

9. Law (J.D.):

Tuition amount

Required fees

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Part D - Student Charges - Room and Board
10. What are the typical room and board charges for a student for the full academic year 2020-21?

If your institution offers room or board at no charge to students, enter zero.
If you report room and board separately, leave the combined charge blank. If you report a combined charge, leave the room and board charges blank.
Room and board charges

Amount

Prior year

Room charge (Double occupancy)

Board charge (Maximum plan)

Combined room and board charge
(Answer only if you CANNOT separate room and board charges.)

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Part D - Student Charges - Cost of Attendance
11. Cost of attendance for full-time, ﬁrst-time undergraduate students:
Please enter the amounts requested below for each Cost of Attendance (COA) category. These data will be made available to the public on College Navigator. If your
institution participates in any Title IV programs (e.g., Pell, Direct Loans), you must provide all information. Estimates of expenses for books and supplies, room and
board, and other expenses are those from the COA report used by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce in determining ﬁnancial need. Please conﬁrm with your institution’s ﬁnancial
aid oﬃce the correct values for these COA categories, as its staff are most familiar with federal guidance (e.g., Federal Student Aid Handbook) and professional
standards in determining COA.
Notes:
If your institution offers room (housing) but does not offer board, refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students would
spend on board.
Similarly, if your institution offers board but does not offer room (housing), refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students
would spend on room.
If the 2020-21 tuition and/or fees as reported on this page for full-time, ﬁrst-time students are covered by a tuition guarantee program, check the applicable
box(es) under 'Tuition Guarantee'. Additionally, please indicate the maximum % increase that is guaranteed. These numbers are expected to be fairly small. Please
contact the Help Desk if you are confused about these values and how to report them.
Charges for full academic year

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Published tuition and required fees:

In-district

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

In-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Out-of-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Books and supplies

Tuition Guarantee
(check only if applicable
to entering students
in 2020-21)

Guaranteed
increase %

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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Part E - Athletic Association
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association?
No

Yes - Check all that apply

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Other

2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu.
Sport

NCAA or NAIA member

Conference

Football

Yes-Specify

Select One

Basketball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Baseball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Cross country and/or track

Yes-Specify

Select One

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Prepared by
Prepared by
Reporting Reminders:
The name of the preparer is being collected so that we can follow up with the appropriate person in the event that there are questions concerning the data.
The Keyholder will be copied on all email correspondence to other preparers.
The time it took to prepare this component is being collected so that we can continue to improve our estimate of the reporting burden associated with IPEDS.
Please include in your estimate the time it took for you to review instructions, query and search data sources, complete and review the component, and
submit the data through the Data Collection System.
Thank you for your assistance.
This survey component was prepared by:

Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

How many hours did you and others from your institution only spend on each of the steps below when responding to this survey component?
Exclude the hours spent collecting data for state and other reporting purposes.
Collecting Data Needed

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Coverage
Where to Get Help
Where the Data Will Appear
Reporting Directions
Part A - Mission Statement and Distance Education
Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Part C - Student Services
Part D - Student Charges
Part E - Athletic Association
Part F - Branch Campus

Purpose of Survey
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (IC) component is to collect basic institutional information including mission, student services, and
athletic association. IC also collects student charges data including tuition for different levels and cost data for first-time, full-time students either for programs or
for an academic year. This includes tuition and fee data as well as information on the estimated student budgets for students based on living situations (oncampus or off-campus). The cost numbers are also used in the SFA survey during the Winter collection to calculate net price of attendance.

General instructions
Context Boxes
Context boxes are provided to allow institutions to provide more information regarding survey component items. Note that some context boxes are posted on
the College Navigator Website, which is the college search tool offered by NCES. NCES will review entries in these context boxes for applicability and
appropriateness before posting them on the College Navigator Website; institutions should check grammar and spelling of their entries.

Coverage
Carefully read each question in the Institutional Characteristics survey to ensure you are reporting data for the appropriate students. The student groups for which
data are collected vary throughout the IC survey (e.g., undergraduate and graduate). In general, for each group, ensure that the guidelines below are met.

A. Who to include
Students enrolled in courses creditable toward a diploma, certificate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Students enrolled in courses that are part of a vocational or occupational program, including those enrolled in off-campus centers.
High school students taking regular college courses for credit under their classification as recorded by the institution.
Full-time students taking remedial courses if the student is considered degree-seeking for the purpose of student financial aid determination.
Students from overseas enrolled in U.S. courses (e.g., online students).
Graduate students enrolled for thesis credits, even when zero credits are awarded, as these students are still enrolled and seeking their degree.

B. Who NOT to include
Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential or the completion of a vocational program.
Students taking Continuing Education Units (CEUs) unless they are also enrolled in courses creditable toward a degree or other recognized postsecondary
credential.
Students exclusively auditing classes.
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice fields, since they have already received their Doctor's degree.
Any student studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at this institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal.
Students in any branch campus located in a foreign country.
Students in Experimental Pell Programs.

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Where the Reported Data Will Appear
Data collected through IPEDS will be accessible at the institution and aggregate levels.
At the institution-level, data will appear in the:
College Navigator Website
IPEDS Data Center
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
College Affordability and Transparency Center Website
At the aggregate-level, data will appear in:
IPEDS Data Explorer
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
The Digest of Education Statistics
The Condition of Education

Reporting Directions
Part A – Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Provide your institution's mission statement or a web address (please select http:// or https://) where the statement can be found. Typed statements are
limited to 2,000 characters. The mission statement will be available to the public on College Navigator.

Part B - Services for Military Servicemembers, Veterans, and Eligible Family Members
Services and Programs for Military Servicemembers and Veterans
Indicate which of the following are offered to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families.
For the Post-9/11 Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, please choose this only if the Yellow Ribbon Program is available at your institution.

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Special learning opportunities
Indicate if the listed special learning opportunities are offered by your institution. Teacher certification refers to pre-K through 12; if the institution only
provides certification for some levels (e.g., elementary only and not secondary), be sure to indicate that only certain levels are offered.

Years of study required for entry (Not applicable to less-than-4-year institutions)
If the institution limits entrance to students who have completed certain academic requirements, select the years of study required for entry. For
example, upper division only schools may require 2 years (60 credits) of study prior to admittance, and schools that offer only graduate programs may
require bachelor's degrees or 4 years of study for entrance.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

Alternative tuition plans
Indicate if your institution offers any alternative tuition plans. Use the context box on the bottom of the page to provide details about tuition plans for
College Navigator. Please provide only factual information, context boxes are reviewed and inappropriate information (such as marketing information)
will be removed.

Distance education
Distance education uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and
substantive interaction between the students and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously.
Requirements for coming to campus for orientation, testing, or academic support services do not exclude a course from being classified as distance
education. Technologies used for instruction may include the following: Internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcasts, closed
circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite or wireless communication devices; audio conferencing; and video cassette, DVDs, and CDROMs, if the cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs are used in a course in conjunction with the technologies listed above.

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Distance education levels
Indicate whether you offer distance education courses and/or programs at the undergraduate level and/or graduate level. Please check all that apply. If
you do not offer distance education courses and/or programs, please select “Does not offer distance education" at the undergraduate and/or graduate
level.

Exclusively distance education programs
Indicate whether or not ALL programs offered by your institution are delivered exclusively via distance education, meaning all the required coursework
for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Disabilities
Please indicate the percentage of all undergraduate students enrolled in the time period indicated on screen who were formally registered as students with
disabilities with the institution's office of disability services (or the equivalent office). This may include students with physical or learning disabilities, as well
as other types of disabilities. If greater than 3% of students are registered as having a disability, you will need to indicate a percentage.
Please use the context box on the page to provide information, such as the webpage for your disabilities services website.

Part D - Student Charges
Screening questions
If you responded to questions regarding full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students in the Institutional Characteristics Header
survey, your institution will be required to answer all the questions.

On-campus or institutionally controlled off-campus housing requirement
Indicate if ALL full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students are required to live on campus or in institutionally controlled off-campus housing.
If you make ANY exceptions, you should not select this as a requirement, as this will cause inconsistencies in your reporting between
this section and the Student Financial Aid survey calculation of net price.
This question is a screening question, and does not appear on College Navigator. Please respond correctly.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Meal plans
Indicate if the institution offers board or meal plans to students. If the institution offers fixed meal plans, provide the number of meals per week in the
maximum plan available. Institutions will be asked to report the board charges or combined room and board charges on later screens.

Tuition and fees for undergraduate students (academic year reporters) (Part D – Undergraduate Student Charges)
Undergraduate students include:
Students who have not attained a bachelor's degree;
Students in bachelor's degree programs that require at least 4 years but fewer than 6 years of college work; or
Students in occupational or general study programs requiring 1, 2, or 3 years of college work that are designed to prepare students for immediate
employment or to provide general education rather than to serve as the first 1, 2, or 3 years of a bachelor's degree program.

Undergraduate application fee
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount. An application fee is the amount of money that an institution charges for processing a
student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is
not admitted to the institution.

Tuition and required fees for undergraduate students
This tuition value differs from cost of attendance as it is the average tuition and fees for ALL undergraduate students and all levels (freshman,
sophomore, junior, senior, etc.). It is possible that this number will be different from the cost of attendance that you will report if you have first-time,
full-time students.
Since tuition and required fees and room and board charges may be different for varying groups of full-time undergraduate students at an
institution, adhere to the following rules regarding reporting:
Report the average tuition and required fees for the full academic year charged to in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students. If you selected
‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if
two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different
tuitions.
If the institution charges tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, estimate average tuition based on the average full-time credit-hour load for an entire
academic year.
When reporting required fees, include all fixed sum charges that are REQUIRED of a majority of students.
Do not include any charges that are clearly optional.
If the institution has a single lump sum charge for tuition, required fees, and room and board, enter the amount as a comprehensive fee.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Enter the average dollar amount your institution charges to part-time undergraduate students per credit hour of instruction. Do not include fees. If you
selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even
if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different
tuitions.

Tuition and fees for graduate students (Part D – Graduate Student Charges)
Graduate students include any student who holds a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level. These
students may or may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

Graduate application fee
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount. An application fee is the amount of money that an institution charges for processing a
student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is
not admitted to the institution.

Tuition and required fees for graduate students
Since tuition and required fees may be different for varying groups of full-time graduate students at an institution, adhere to the following rules
regarding reporting:
Do not include doctor’s-professional practice tuition. This will be collected separately.
Report the average tuition and required fees charged to full-time graduate students for the full academic year. If you selected ‘yes’ for the screening
question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if two are the same. If they
are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different tuitions.
When reporting required fees, include all fixed sum charges that are REQUIRED of a majority of students.
Do not include any charges that are clearly optional.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time graduate students
Enter the dollar amount the institution most frequently charges to part-time graduate students per credit hour of instruction. Do not include fees. If you
selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even
if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different
tuitions.

Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

Number of programs (program reporters only)
Provide the total number of occupational programs offered by your institution. A program is a combination of courses and related activities organized for the
attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the institution. Please do not count single courses as a program.

Room and Board (Part D – Room and Board)
Institutions that offer institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off- campus) will be required to answer the questions in this section.
Report the typical room charge for the full academic year (as indicated on screen) for a full-time student sharing a room with one other student. Report the
board charge based on the maximum meal plan available for the full academic year (as indicated on screen) to a full-time student. Report a combined room
and board charge only if room and board charges cannot be separated.

Academic year reporters cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate students (Part D – Cost of Attendance)
If you made errors in the prior year reporting, you will need to make changes in the Student Financial Aid component in the Winter. Revisions or changes to
costs can ONLY be made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
This question requires working with your student financial aid office.
Institutions with standard academic terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters, or 4-1-4 or hybrid institutions) should provide cost information for in-district,
in-state, and out-of-state students for the FULL ACADEMIC YEAR in the columns indicated. The numbers reported for tuition, fees, books and supplies,
room and board, and other expenses must match the amounts used by your financial aid office for determining eligibility for student financial assistance. If
your institution has a single lump sum charge for tuition, required fees, and room and board, enter the amount as a comprehensive fee. You will not be able
to lock your submission without these data.
Report BOTH tuition and fees, separately. Please report accurately as these numbers are used in the calculation of net price during the Student Financial Aid
survey. Net price appears to the public in College Navigator, including the College Affordability and Transparency Center, as mandated in accordance with
Sec. 111 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA).
Indicate whether the tuition and/or fees reported are covered by a tuition guarantee plan. If they are, but it is not a flat rate, please provide the guaranteed
maximum rate of increase.
Room and Board:
If your institution offers room (housing) but does not offer board, refer to your institution’s cost of attendance budgets from your financial aid office
to report an estimate of how much students would spend on board.
If your institution offers board but does not offer room (housing), refer to your institution’s cost of attendance budgets from your financial aid office
to report an estimate of how much students would spend on room.

Program reporters cost of attendance (Part D – Cost of Attendance)
Institutions with no full-time, first-time students will report the six largest programs on one page, and should follow the directions under ‘Reporting the next
5 largest programs’ to report these data. For public institutions, report the in-state or in-district costs if applicable.

Reporting the largest program by enrollment
Errors can be corrected in the Student Financial Aid component in the Winter.
This question requires working with your student financial aid office.
The “largest” programs are determined by enrollment size and NOT program length. Use total enrollment size from the last reporting year, as the total
current year enrollment is unknown. Enrollment includes students enrolled for credit regardless of full-time/part-time status or if they are Title IV eligible.
This section asks questions about the largest program program by enrollment your institution has offered for entering students. Institutions that provided
data for the largest program in the prior year will see pre-loaded data (when CIP code has changed, you will need to update the CIP with an appropriate
CIP). If the largest program has changed, check the box provided and indicate a different program. You will be required to enter data for all 4 years as
indicated on the screen.
To enter or change the largest program
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Select the CIP category code from the first drop-down box and title from the second drop-down box. If you need to restore the pre-loaded information,
click the reset button at bottom of the screen.
Provide the total length of program in clock or credit hours and in weeks (as completed by a student attending full-time).
Provide the total length of the academic year, as used to calculate your Pell budget, in clock or credit hours and in weeks.
Enter an application fee (if applicable).
Provide amounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other expenses FOR THE TIME PERIOD INDICATED (either for the
length of the program, or for 4 weeks). These are the amounts used by your financial aid office for determining eligibility for student financial
assistance.
Note: Programs of English as a second language and GED courses are not to be included in IPEDS. Institutions should report their largest program based on
enrollment size, regardless of whether or not that program is Title IV.

Reporting the next 5 largest programs by enrollment
This section asks questions about the next 5 largest programs by enrollment your institution offers for entering students (or, if you have no full-time, firsttime students, the 6 largest programs).
Only if reporting 6 largest programs because you do not have full-time, first-time students, enter an application fee (if applicable).
Select the CIP category code from the first drop-down box and title from the second drop-down box. If you need to restore the pre-loaded information,
click the reset button at bottom of the screen.
Enter the tuition and required fees charged for the entire length of the program.
Enter the cost of books and supplies for the program.
Report the full length of the program and indicate whether the length of the entire program is measured in clock or credit hours.
Report the number of months it takes a full-time student to complete the program.

Part E - Athletic Association
Indicate if the institution is a member of a national athletic association.
For institutions belonging to NCAA or NAIA, select the conference (by sport) from the pull-down menu provided.

Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for admittance to the institution. This
amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

The average cost of books and supplies for a typical student for an entire academic year (or program). Does not include unusual
costs for special groups of students (e.g., engineering or art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at an
institution.

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

A taxonomic coding scheme for secondary and postsecondary instructional programs. It is intended to facilitate the
organization, collection, and reporting of program data using classiﬁcations that capture the majority of reportable data. The CIP
is the accepted federal government statistical standard on instructional program classiﬁcations and is used in a variety of
education information surveys and databases.

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Students enrolled in courses for credit who are seeking a degree, certiﬁcate, or other recognized postsecondary credential. This
includes students who:
- received any type of federal ﬁnancial aid, regardless of what courses they took at any time;
- received any state or locally based ﬁnancial aid with an eligibility requirement that the student be enrolled in a degree,
certiﬁcate, or transfer-seeking program; or
- obtained a student visa to study at a U.S. postsecondary institution
High school students also enrolled in postsecondary courses for credit are not considered degree/certiﬁcate-seeking.

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

An organized collection of printed, microform, and audiovisual materials which (a) is administered as one or more units, (b) is
located in one or more designated places, and (c) makes printed, microform, and audiovisual materials as well as necessary
equipment and services of a staff accessible to students and to faculty. Includes units meeting the above deﬁnition which are
part of a learning resource center.

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

A facility housing an organized collection of printed, microform, and audiovisual materials, and (a) is jointly administered by
more than one educational institution, or (b) whose funds or operating expenditures have been received from more than one
educational institution. The location of the facility is not a determining factor.

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

A program through which high school students are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, taught at their high school,
that fulﬁll high school graduation requirements and may earn the student college credits .

Credit for life experiences

Credit earned by students for what they have learned through independent study, noncredit adult courses, work experience,
portfolio demonstration, previous licensure or certiﬁcation, or completion of other learning opportunities (military, government,
or professional). Credit may also be awarded through a credit by examination program.
Education that uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to
support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously.

Distance education

Technologies used for instruction may include the following: Internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open
broadcasts, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, ﬁber optics, satellite or wireless communication devices; audio
conferencing; and video cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, if the cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs are used in a course in conjunction
with the technologies listed above.

Study abroad

Arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad
or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

An organization of two or more institutions of higher education under the control or supervision of a common administrative
governing body. Governing bodies generally have the power to act in their own name, to hire and ﬁre personnel, enter into
contracts, etc. A coordinating body without these powers or a section of a state agency usually would not be considered a
system oﬃce.

Board plan

The method for providing meals to students during an academic year. Plans may include a speciﬁc charge for a speciﬁed
number of meals per week or a speciﬁed amount against which students may charge their meals.

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Any residence hall or housing facility owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably contiguous geographic
area and used by the institution in direct support of or in a manner related to, the institution's educational purposes.

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

An entity that ensures on behalf of the public the performance of an institution or a group of institutions. Responsibilities of the
board may include appointing, supporting, and monitoring the president of the institution; reviewing educational and public
service programs; insisting on strategic planning; and, ensuring good management and adequate resources.

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

The amount of tuition and required fees covering a full academic year most frequently charged to students. These values
represent what a typical student would be charged and may not be the same for all students at an institution. If tuition is
charged on a per-credit-hour basis, the average full-time credit hour load for an entire academic year is used to estimate average
tuition. Required fees include all ﬁxed sum charges that are required of such a large proportion of all students that the student
who does not pay the charges is an exception.

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Programs designed to provide reasonable academic accommodations and support services to empower students who have
disabilities to competitively pursue postsecondary education. May also include assistance to campus departments in providing
access to services and programs in the most integrated setting possible.

Tuition guarantee

A program where the institution guarantees, to entering ﬁrst-time students, that tuition will not increase for the years they are
enrolled. These guarantees are generally time-bound for four or ﬁve years.

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Any residence hall or housing facility located on- or off-campus that is owned or controlled by an institution and used by the
institution in direct support of or in a manner related to, the institution's educational purposes.

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education. Requirements for coming to campus
for orientation, testing, or academic support services do not exclude a course from being classiﬁed as distance education.

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

The Higher Education Act, as amended (2008), deﬁnes institutional net price as "the average yearly price actually charged to
ﬁrst-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid at an institution of higher education after deducting such aid."
In IPEDS, average institutional net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or
institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition
and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state for public institutions), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room
and board and other expenses. Cost of attendance data are collected in the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component of
IPEDS, and ﬁnancial aid data are collected in the Student Financial Aid (SFA) component of IPEDS.

Post 9/11 GI Bill

A federal education beneﬁt program for veterans, who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. This Department of
Veteran Affairs beneﬁt provides up to 36 months of education beneﬁts at an approved institution for the following college costs:
tuition and fees, books and supplies, and housing. The tuition and fees payment, which is the cost for an in-state student
attending a public institution, is made directly to the postsecondary institution whereas payments for books and supplies and
housing are sent directly to the student.

Yellow Ribbon Program

A voluntary program through which participating public and private institutions can provide veterans and eligible beneﬁciaries
additional institutional aid to cover the costs of tuition and fees at their institutions. The Yellow Ribbon Program is a
supplementary program to the Post 9/11 GI Bill coverage of in-state tuition and fees. The Department of Veterans Affairs
matches the institutional aid provided beyond the in-state tuition and fees, but up to a certain limit each year.

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

A membership group of over 1,700 institutions that functions to expand and improve voluntary postsecondary opportunities for
servicemembers worldwide. It is funded by the Department of Defense through a contract with the American Association of
State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

A voluntary program that functions to expand and improve postsecondary opportunities for servicemembers worldwide. It is
funded by the Department of Defense through a contract with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
(AASCU).

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

The amount of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses that a full-time, ﬁrst-time
degree/certiﬁcate-seeking student can expect to pay to go to college for an academic year. Costs reported by the institutions
are those amounts used by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce to determine a student's ﬁnancial need.

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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Institutional Characteristics
Click one of the following questions to view the answer.
General
1)What is the purpose of the Institutional Characteristics survey?
2)What institutions are included in IPEDS?
3)Can I change my Institutional Characteristics data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
4)Where can I ﬁnd my accrediting agency information since it is no longer collected in IPEDS?
5)Are U.S. jurisdictions or territories (like Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.) considered in the U.S. for distance education location reporting?
6)We offer courses that combine distance education and traditional teaching methods (“hybrid” courses). How should students enrolled in these courses be counted
in the distance education portion of Fall Enrollment?
7)Should my institution, which is participating as an experimental site, report high school students or incarcerated students who have received a Pell Grant while
taking college coursework?
1)When determining the dormitory capacity, should we include off campus housing reserved for graduate and/or married students?
2)Our institution offers several meal plans. Which plan should I report?
3)For academic year tuition reporters, what is the difference between the undergraduate tuition and fees charges in Part D question 5, and the tuition and fees
charges in Part D question 11?
4)How do I calculate or determine “average tuition”?
1)How do I know what amounts to report for room and board and other expenses for institutionally-controlled housing both on and off campus?
2)How do I know what amounts to report for room and board and other expenses for off campus?
3)Do I have to report off campus living expenses?
4)What are “other expenses”?
5)What IC data are included on the College Navigator website?
6)If my institution offers room or board, but not both, how should I report this on the Cost of Attendance page?

Answer:
General
1)
What is the purpose of the Institutional Characteristics survey?
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (IC) survey is to collect basic institutional information including mission, student services, and athletic
association. IC also collects student charges data including tuition for different levels and cost data for ﬁrst-time, full-time students either for programs or for an
academic year. This includes tuition and fee data as well as information on the estimated student budgets for students based on living situations (on-campus or offcampus). The cost numbers are also used in the SFA survey during the spring collection to calculate net price of attendance.
2)
What institutions are included in IPEDS?
IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in the federal student ﬁnancial aid programs. The
Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires that institutions that participate in federal student aid programs report data on enrollments, program
completions, graduation rates, faculty and staff, ﬁnances, institutional prices, and student ﬁnancial aid.
3)
Can I change my Institutional Characteristics data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
No, you cannot change your IC data in the winter or spring, except in rare circumstances. Due to processing and the size of the database, it is diﬃcult to make
changes once a survey is closed. It is the responsibility of the institution's keyholder to report these data correctly in the fall, as they do impact other surveys (e.g.,
Student Financial Aid).
4)
Where can I ﬁnd my accrediting agency information since it is no longer collected in IPEDS?
The Oﬃce of Postsecondary Education(OPE) website: OPE Accreditation database at https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
5)
Are U.S. jurisdictions or territories (like Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.) considered in the U.S. for distance education location reporting?
Yes, students located in a U.S. jurisdiction while they are enrolled in distance education courses should be reported as located in the U.S.
6)
We offer courses that combine distance education and traditional teaching methods (“hybrid” courses). How should students enrolled in these courses be
counted in the distance education portion of Fall Enrollment?
Hybrid courses are not considered by IPEDS as distance education. Students enrolled in “hybrid” courses should be reported as “not enrolled in any distance
education courses.”
7)
Should my institution, which is participating as an experimental site, report high school students or incarcerated students who have received a Pell Grant while
taking college coursework?
If your institution is participating in the Dual Enrollment experimental site or the Second Chance Pell experimental site program, exclude these students from
reporting.
1)
When determining the dormitory capacity, should we include off campus housing reserved for graduate and/or married students?
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Yes, if the institution is providing the housing and the students pay “rent” or “board” to the institution.
2)
Our institution offers several meal plans. Which plan should I report?
You should report the meal plan that offers the maximum number of meals per week. If your institution offers an unlimited number of meals, enter 99.
3)
For academic year tuition reporters, what is the difference between the undergraduate tuition and fees charges in Part D question 5, and the tuition and fees
charges in Part D question 11?
The tuition and fees reported in question 5 are the average amounts charged to all full-time undergraduate students; the tuition and fees in question 11 represent the
average amounts charged to full-time, ﬁrst-time undergraduate students. The data in question 13 should be provided by your ﬁnancial aid oﬃce as these are the
amounts used to determine student budgets.
4)
How do I calculate or determine “average tuition”?
If your institution charges tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, then you should estimate average tuition based on the average full-time credit hour load for an entire
academic year. If you have different charges for different programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels, calculate the “average” tuition using the amount that a
typical student would expect to pay. BE SURE TO REPORT TUITION FOR THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC YEAR!
1)
How do I know what amounts to report for room and board and other expenses for institutionally-controlled housing both on and off campus?
Report the room and board amounts used by your ﬁnancial aid oﬃce for determining student budgets. The other expenses are the amount of money estimated by
the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings. Do not include the tuition and
required fees with other expenses.
2)
How do I know what amounts to report for room and board and other expenses for off campus?
You should enter the amount for a typical full-time student living off campus with family or not with family used by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce to determine the student
budget.
3)
Do I have to report off campus living expenses?
Yes, if your institution does not require all of full-time, ﬁrst-time students to live on campus (or makes ANY exceptions to this policy).
4)
What are “other expenses”?
This is the amount of money, estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce, that is needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and
furnishings.
5)
What IC data are included on the College Navigator website?
The Institutional Characteristics information that is made available on College Navigator includes special learning opportunities, student services, tuition and
required fees, room and board charges, books and supplies, other expenses and the institution’s mission statement. The best way to see what information is
available about your institution is to look up your institution on College Navigator.
6)
If my institution offers room or board, but not both, how should I report this on the Cost of Attendance page?
In this case, the “room and board” value must include both the known value and an estimate for the unknown value. Inclusion of both meal cost and housing cost is
necessary to generate a total cost of attendance, which is subsequently needed for Net Price calculations. For example, if the institution offers meals but no
housing, in the “on-campus room and board” ﬁeld they would need to enter a total that includes the cost of the meal plan plus an estimate of housing (such as a
housing cost similar to that of off-campus housing).

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

Software Provider Resources
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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for 4-year program tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

Select One

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on-campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

If your institution typically has this requirement but such requirement is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus room and board in the price of attendance (D7).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, ﬁrst-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conﬂicts with
the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very diﬃcult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution.

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Student Charges - Number of programs
5. How many programs are offered at your institution?

Be sure not to report single courses, report only full programs. If you do not know what a program is, review the deﬁnition in the glossary or call the Help Desk.
Number of programs

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Part D - Student Charges - Cost of Attendance
7. Cost of attendance for entering students
Please enter the amounts requested below for each Cost of Attendance (COA) category. These data will be made available to the public on College Navigator. If your
institution participates in any Title IV programs (e.g., Pell, Direct Loans), you must provide all information. Estimates of expenses for books and supplies, room and
board, and other expenses are those from the COA report used by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce in determining ﬁnancial need. Please conﬁrm with your institution’s ﬁnancial
aid oﬃce the correct values for these COA categories, as its staff are most familiar with federal guidance (e.g., Federal Student Aid Handbook) and professional
standards in determining COA.
Notes:
If your institution offers room (housing) but does not offer board, refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students would
spend on board.
Similarly, if your institution offers board but does not offer room (housing), refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students
would spend on room.
The academic year length you report should be the same calculation used for required reporting for your Pell budget. This number will be used to calculate
academic year costs for your institution and will impact your net price calculation. Please discuss this information with your student aid oﬃce to ensure
accurate reporting.
LARGEST PROGRAM BY ENROLLMENT:

CIP Code

Title

Enter new
largest
program

How is your
program
measured?

Total length of PROGRAM in clock or credit hours

Total length of PROGRAM in WEEKS, as completed by a student attending full-time

If your largest program has changed from the one listed above, or if no program appears above, click the 'enter new largest program' link,
choose a program and enter data for all three years. Note: if your institution participates in Title IV programs, you must complete all cells.

Clock Hours

Credit Hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in clock or credit hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in WEEKS

If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Undergraduate application fee

The following numbers need to be reported for the entire length of the program. For example, if your program is 18 months long, report 18 months worth of tuition,
fees, books and supplies.
If your institution charges differently based on residence, please use in-state charges. The correct numbers should be available from your ﬁnancial aid oﬃce.
Published student charges for the entire program

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Tuition and required fees for the entire program

Books and supplies for the entire program

The following numbers need to be reported for 4 weeks (1 month).
The correct numbers should be available from your ﬁnancial aid oﬃce. Off-campus numbers should be based on costs for your area, not on national averages.
On-campus:

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

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Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

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Part D - Student Charges - Cost of Attendance - Calculated values
7. Cost of attendance - Calculated values
Please review the numbers below for accuracy. If something looks incorrect, please go to the previous page and make sure all of the numbers reported on that page
are correct. If you still do not think the numbers are correct, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877-225-2568.
CIP CODE OF LARGEST PROGRAM BY ENROLLMENT
TITLE OF LARGEST PROGRAM BY ENROLLMENT
Published student charges for the entire program

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

Published student charges for an academic year

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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Part D - Student Charges - Program Data
8. Please list your second through sixth largest programs by enrollment and provide the requested information for each program.
To enter a CIP code and program title, click on the select button, and then click on the program from the list provided. Choosing clear will remove the CIP code and
title. Report the tuition and fees and the cost of books and supplies for the TOTAL LENGTH OF THE PROGRAM. Also report the length of the entire program in terms
of clock or credit hours and provide the number of months it takes a full-time student to complete the entire program.
Note: The “largest” programs are determined by enrollment size and NOT program length. Use total enrollment size from the last reporting year, as the total current
year enrollment is unknown. Enrollment includes students enrolled for credit regardless of their full-time/part-time status or if they are Title IV eligible.
Do not skip lines when reporting programs. Your 2nd largest program should be listed as 2nd, your 3rd as 3rd, etc.

1st

CIP Code

Tuition and
required fees

Cost of books
and supplies

Total length of
program

Program
Measurement
Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

# of months
to complete

Title

2nd

select
clear
Title

3rd

select
clear
Title

4th

select
clear
Title

5th

select
clear
Title

6th

select
clear
Title

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Part D - Student Charges - Room and Board
10. What are the typical room and board charges for a student for the full academic year 2020-21?

Amount

Prior year

Room charge (Double occupancy)

Board charge (Maximum plan)

Combined room and board charge
(Answer only if you CANNOT separate room and board charges.)

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Part E - Athletic Association
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association?
No

Yes - Check all that apply

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Other

2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu.
Sport

NCAA or NAIA member

Conference

Football

Yes-Specify

Select One

Basketball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Baseball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Cross country and/or track

Yes-Specify

Select One

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for degree-granting 2-year academic year tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

2. Does your institution charge different tuition for in-district, in-state, or out-of-state students?

Yes

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Undergraduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

5. Charges to full-time students for the full academic year 2020-21

Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).

In-district

Prior year

In-state

Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

All full-time students
Average tuition

Required fees

6. Per credit hour charge for part-time students

Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).
Do not include fees.
Per credit hour charge

In-district

Prior year

In-state

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Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

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Part D - Student Charges - Room and Board
10. What are the typical room and board charges for a student for the full academic year 2020-21?

Amount

Prior year

Room charge (Double occupancy)

Board charge (Maximum plan)

Combined room and board charge
(Answer only if you CANNOT separate room and board charges.)

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Part D - Student Charges - Cost of Attendance
11. Cost of attendance for full-time, ﬁrst-time students:
Please enter the amounts requested below for each Cost of Attendance (COA) category. These data will be made available to the public on College Navigator. If your
institution participates in any Title IV programs (e.g., Pell, Direct Loans), you must provide all information. Estimates of expenses for books and supplies, room and
board, and other expenses are those from the COA report used by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce in determining ﬁnancial need. Please conﬁrm with your institution’s ﬁnancial
aid oﬃce the correct values for these COA categories, as its staff are most familiar with federal guidance (e.g., Federal Student Aid Handbook) and professional
standards in determining COA.
Notes:
If your institution offers room (housing) but does not offer board, refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students would
spend on board.
Similarly, if your institution offers board but does not offer room (housing), refer to your institution’s COA budgets to report an estimate of how much students
would spend on room.
If the 2020-21 tuition and/or fees as reported on this page for full-time, ﬁrst-time students are covered by a tuition guarantee program, check the applicable
box(es) under 'Tuition Guarantee'. Additionally, please indicate the maximum % increase that is guaranteed. These numbers are expected to be fairly small. Please
contact the Help Desk if you are confused about these values and how to report them.
Charges for full academic year

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Published tuition and required fees:

In-district

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

In-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Out-of-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Books and supplies

Tuition Guarantee
(check only if applicable
to entering students
in 2020-21)

Guaranteed
increase %

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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Part E - Athletic Association
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association?
No

Yes - Check all that apply

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Other

2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu.
Sport

NCAA or NAIA member

Conference

Football

Yes-Specify

Select One

Basketball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Baseball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Cross country and/or track

Yes-Specify

Select One

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for degree-granting 2-year program tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on-campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

If your institution typically has this requirement but such requirement is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus room and board in the price of attendance (D7).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, ﬁrst-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conﬂicts with
the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very diﬃcult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution.

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Student Charges - Number of programs
5. How many programs are offered at your institution?

Be sure not to report single courses, report only full programs. If you do not know what a program is, review the deﬁnition in the glossary or call the Help Desk.
Number of programs

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CIP Code

Title

Enter new
largest
program

How is your
program
measured?

Total length of PROGRAM in clock or credit hours

Total length of PROGRAM in WEEKS, as completed by a student attending full-time

Clock Hours

Credit Hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in clock or credit hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in WEEKS

If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Tuition and required fees for the entire program

Books and supplies for the entire program

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

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Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

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2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

Published student charges for an academic year

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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1st

CIP Code

Tuition and
required fees

Cost of books
and supplies

Total length of
program

Program
Measurement
Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

# of months
to complete

Title

2nd

select
clear
Title

3rd

select
clear
Title

4th

select
clear
Title

5th

select
clear
Title

6th

select
clear
Title

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Part D - Student Charges - Room and Board
10. What are the typical room and board charges for a student for the full academic year 2020-21?

Amount

Prior year

Room charge (Double occupancy)

Board charge (Maximum plan)

Combined room and board charge
(Answer only if you CANNOT separate room and board charges.)

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Part E - Athletic Association
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association?
No

Yes - Check all that apply

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)

National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA)

Other

2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu.
Sport

NCAA or NAIA member

Conference

Football

Yes-Specify

Select One

Basketball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Baseball

Yes-Specify

Select One

Cross country and/or track

Yes-Specify

Select One

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for less-than-2-year academic year tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

2. Does your institution charge different tuition for in-district, in-state, or out-of-state students?

Yes

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Undergraduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

5. Charges to full-time students for the full academic year 2020-21

Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).

In-district

Prior year

In-state

Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

All full-time students
Average tuition

Required fees

6. Per credit hour charge for part-time students

Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).
Do not include fees.
Per credit hour charge

In-district

Prior year

In-state

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Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

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2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Published tuition and required fees:

In-district

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

In-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Out-of-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Books and supplies

Tuition Guarantee
(check only if applicable
to entering students
in 2020-21)

Guaranteed
increase %

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=11&instructionid=30072&formid=24&faqid=9

Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for less-than-2-year program tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on-campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

If your institution typically has this requirement but such requirement is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus room and board in the price of attendance (D7).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, ﬁrst-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conﬂicts with
the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very diﬃcult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution.

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Student Charges - Number of programs
5. How many programs are offered at your institution?

Be sure not to report single courses, report only full programs. If you do not know what a program is, review the deﬁnition in the glossary or call the Help Desk.
Number of programs

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CIP Code

Title

Enter new
largest
program

How is your
program
measured?

Total length of PROGRAM in clock or credit hours

Total length of PROGRAM in WEEKS, as completed by a student attending full-time

Clock Hours

Credit Hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in clock or credit hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in WEEKS

If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Tuition and required fees for the entire program

Books and supplies for the entire program

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

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Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

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2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

Published student charges for an academic year

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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1st

CIP Code

Tuition and
required fees

Cost of books
and supplies

Total length of
program

Program
Measurement
Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

# of months
to complete

Title

2nd

select
clear
Title

3rd

select
clear
Title

4th

select
clear
Title

5th

select
clear
Title

6th

select
clear
Title

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for non-degree-granting 2-year academic year tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

2. Does your institution charge different tuition for in-district, in-state, or out-of-state students?

Yes

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Undergraduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

5. Charges to full-time students for the full academic year 2020-21

Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).

In-district

Prior year

In-state

Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

All full-time students
Average tuition

Required fees

6. Per credit hour charge for part-time students

Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all students at all levels (freshman, sophomore, etc.).
Do not include fees.
Per credit hour charge

In-district

Prior year

In-state

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Prior year

Out-of-state

Prior year

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2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Published tuition and required fees:

In-district

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

In-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Out-of-state

Tuition

Required fees

Tuition + fees total

Books and supplies

Tuition Guarantee
(check only if applicable
to entering students
in 2020-21)

Guaranteed
increase %

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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Troubleshooting
Browsers Supported
NCES Privacy Policy

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2020-21
Data Collection System

IPEDS HELP DESK
(877) 225-2568 | [email protected]
OMB NO. 1850-0582 v.24 : Approval Expires 8/31/2022

2020-21 Survey Materials  Package
Institutional Characteristics for non-degree-granting 2-year program tuition reporters
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) component. This component collects important information about your institution's mission, student services, and
student charges.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator
for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications
for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be
made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clariﬁcations to make sure
that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reﬂect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prioryear reporting. For example, if a summer term began later than usual due COVID-19 postponements, continue to report using the timeframes as deﬁned in
the IPEDS instructions.NCES expects that some data reported during the 2020-21 data collection year will vary from established prior trends due to the
impacts of COVID-19. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help
Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reﬂect the effects of COVID-19.
Changes to reporting for 2020-21:
The term 'Dual credit' has been replaced with the term 'Dual enrollment'
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also
available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or ﬁx, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL deﬁnitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR' or
'PROGRAM' as deﬁned by IPEDS.

Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials

To access your prior year data submission for this component: Reported Data

If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.

https://edsurveys.rti.org/IPEDS2k20_21/public/survey-materials/package?surveyid=11&instructionid=30072&formid=3&faqid=9

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http://

Mission Statement:

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Part B - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families?

Yellow Ribbon Program (oﬃcially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)

Credit for military training

Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families

Recognized student veteran organization

Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply]

Dual enrollment

Credit for life experiences

Advanced placement (AP) credits

None of the above

2. What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

ROTC
Army

Navy

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

Teacher certiﬁcation (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level)
Do not include certiﬁcations to teach at the postsecondary level.

Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization

This institution is approved by the state for the initial certiﬁcation or licensure of teachers

Air Force

None of the above

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Part C - Student Services: Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply]

Remedial services

Academic/career counseling services

Employment services for current students

Placement services for program completers

On-campus day care for children of students

None of the above

5. Which of the following academic library resource or service does your institution provide? [Check all that apply]

Physical facilities

An organized collection of printed materials

Access to digital/electronic resources

A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials

Established library hours

Access to library collections that are shared with other institutions
None of the above

6. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution.

Yes

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

Tuition payment plan

Other (specify in box below)

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Distance education courses

Distance education programs

Does not offer Distance Education

Undergraduate level
Graduate level

8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs?

Yes

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3 percent or less

More than 3 percent:

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Part D - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, ﬁrst-time degree/certiﬁcate-seeking students required to live on-campus or in institutionally controlled housing?

If your institution typically has this requirement but such requirement is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19, please answer Yes.
If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus room and board in the price of attendance (D7).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, ﬁrst-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conﬂicts with
the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very diﬃcult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution.

Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule

3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on or off campus)?

Yes

Specify housing capacity for academic year 2020-21

4. Do you offer board or meal plans to your students?

Yes - Enter the number of meals per week in the maximum meal plan available

Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card)

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Part D - Student Charges - Number of programs
5. How many programs are offered at your institution?

Be sure not to report single courses, report only full programs. If you do not know what a program is, review the deﬁnition in the glossary or call the Help Desk.
Number of programs

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CIP Code

Title

Enter new
largest
program

How is your
program
measured?

Total length of PROGRAM in clock or credit hours

Total length of PROGRAM in WEEKS, as completed by a student attending full-time

Clock Hours

Credit Hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in clock or credit hours

Total length of ACADEMIC YEAR (as used to calculate your Pell budget) in WEEKS

If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount.

Amount

Prior year

Application fee

2017‑18

2018‑19

2019‑20

2020‑21

Tuition and required fees for the entire program

Books and supplies for the entire program

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board for 4 weeks (1 month)

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Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Room and board and other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses for 4 weeks (1 month)

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2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

Published student charges for an academic year

Tuition and required fees

Books and supplies

On-campus:

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (not with family):

Room and board

Other expenses

Room and board and other expenses

Off-campus (with family):

Other expenses

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1st

CIP Code

Tuition and
required fees

Cost of books
and supplies

Total length of
program

Program
Measurement
Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

Clock hours

Credit hours

# of months
to complete

Title

2nd

select
clear
Title

3rd

select
clear
Title

4th

select
clear
Title

5th

select
clear
Title

6th

select
clear
Title

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Keyholder

SFA Contact

HR Contact

Finance Contact

Academic Library Contact

Other

Name:

Email:

How many staff from your institution only were involved in the data collection and reporting process of this survey component?

Number of Staff (including yourself)

Revising Data to Match
IPEDS Requirements

Staff member

Your oﬃce

hours

Other oﬃces

hours

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Entering Data

Revising and Locking Data

hours

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Institutional Characteristics
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes

Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
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Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]

Part C - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.

Student services
Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.

Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".

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Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.

Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.

Tuition based on residence
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state.

Institutionally controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.

Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
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IPEDS Data Collection System

Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Part F - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Glossary
date: 06/24/2020
Term

Deﬁnition

Academic year

The period of time generally extending from September to June; usually equated to 2 semesters or trimesters, 3 quarters, or the
period covered by a 4-1-4 calendar system.

Application fee

Board charges

Charges assessed students for an academic year for meals.

Books and supplies

Classiﬁcation of Instructional
Programs (CIP)

CIP code

A six-digit code in the form xx.xxxx that identiﬁes instructional program specialties within educational institutions.

Clock hour

Comprehensive fee

A single ﬁxed amount of money charged by an institution that covers tuition, required fees, room, and board. For some
institutions, this amount may also cover books and supplies.

Contact hour (old deﬁnition)

A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.

Counseling service

Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit hour

Day care service

A student service designed to provide appropriate care and protection of infants, preschool, and school-age children so their
parents can participate in postsecondary education programs.

Degree/certiﬁcate-seeking
students

Housing capacity

The maximum number of students for which an institution can provide residential facilities, whether on or off campus.

Employment services for
current students

Activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their
education.

First-time student
(undergraduate)

Full-time student

Graduate student

A student who holds a bachelor's degree or above and is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level. These students may or
may not be enrolled in graduate programs.

In-district student

A student who is a legal resident of the locality in which he/she attends school and thus is entitled to reduced tuition charges if
offered by the institution.

In-district tuition

The tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school. This may be a lower
rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.

In-state student

A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

In-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Integrated Postsecondary
Education Data System
(IPEDS)

Library

Out-of-state student

A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.

Out-of-state tuition

The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student

Placement services for
program completers

Assistance for students in evaluating their career alternatives and in obtaining full-time employment upon leaving the institution.

Postsecondary education
institution

An institution which has as its sole purpose or one of its primary missions, the provision of postsecondary education.

Program

A combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the
institution.

Remedial services

Instructional activities designed for students deﬁcient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary
curriculum and educational setting.

Room charges

The charges for an academic year for rooming accommodations for a typical student sharing a room with one other student.

Shared library

Undergraduate

A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical
program below the baccalaureate.

Dual credit

Credit for life experiences

Distance education

Study abroad

Weekend/evening college

A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends or only in the evenings.

Teacher certiﬁcation program

A program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certiﬁcation as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high,
and secondary schools.

Other expenses

The amount of money (estimated by the ﬁnancial aid oﬃce) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry,
transportation, and entertainment.

System

Board plan

Required fees

Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the
student who does not pay the charge is an exception.

Off-campus housing

Any housing facility that is occupied by students but is not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

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IPEDS Data Collection System

On-campus housing

Title IV institution

Tuition

The amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

Governing board

Tuition and fees (published
charges)

Doctor's degree-professional
practice

Disability services

Tuition guarantee

Prepaid tuition plan

A program that allows students or their families to purchase college tuition or tuition credits for future years, at current prices.

Tuition payment plan

A program that allows tuition to be paid in installments spread out over an agreed upon period of time, sometimes without
interest or ﬁnance charges.

Institutionally controlled
housing

Off-campus (with family)

A living arrangement in which a student lives with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is not
owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Off-campus (not with family)

A living arrangement in which a student does not live with the student's parents or legal guardians in any housing facility that is
not owned or controlled by the educational institution.

Distance education course

Distance education program

A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education
courses.

Net price

Post 9/11 GI Bill

Yellow Ribbon Program

Credit for Military Training

Postsecondary credit granted by institutions to military servicemen or veterans for experiences and training gained while in the
service.

Servicemembers Opportunity
Colleges

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IPEDS Data Collection System

Department of Defense
Voluntary Education Program
Memorandum of
Understanding

Parent institution

An institution that reports some or all data for another institution, known as the child institution.

Child institution

An institution that has some or all of its data reported by another institution, known as the parent institution.

Cost of attendance

Recognized postsecondary
credential

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IPEDS Data Collection System

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

Software Provider Resources
Section 508 Compliance
Use of Cookies

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File Modified	2020-06-25
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