Study Respondents

Student-level data for NPSAS:08 were collected from various sources: student records by means of computer-assisted data entry (CADE); student interviews; and administrative federal and private databases such as the Central Processing System (CPS), the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), ACT files, and SAT Reasoning Test

(SAT) files. For NPSAS:08, key variables were identified across these data sources to determine the minimum requirements to support the analytic objectives of the study. Sample members who met these minimum requirements were classified as study respondents. Specifically, a study respondent was any sample member who was determined to be study eligible, according to the criteria delineated in chapter 2, and, at a minimum, had valid data from any source for the following:

• student type (undergraduate or graduate/first professional);

• date of birth or age;

• gender; and

• at least 8 of the following 15 variables: – dependency status;

– marital status; – any dependents; – income;

– expected family contribution (EFC); – degree program;

– class level;

– baccalaureate status; – months enrolled; – tuition;

– receipt of federal aid; – receipt of nonfederal aid; – student budget;

– race; or

– parent education. 3.2.1 National Student Sample

The final national sample numbered 137,800 students (table 11). Approximately 96 percent of the final sample (n = 132,800) was eligible for NPSAS. On completion of data collection, 96 percent of the eligible sample (n = 127,700) was determined to have sufficient data to meet the definition of study respondent. The unweighted student response rates (among eligible students) varied by type of institution, ranging from 90 percent for students from public, less-than-2-year institutions to 99 percent for students from private, for-profit, 2-year-or-more institutions. Weighted response rates were calculated on the basis of the institutional weights and student probabilities of selection.23 _{The overall student weighted response rate was 96 percent.}24

23 _{The weighted response rates are based on the base weight and can be interpreted as the estimated percentages of students in the}

population that would have responded if they had been asked.

24 _{When the weighted response rates differ from the unweighted response rates, it is because of the nonresponding students’ having,}

Table 11. Numbers of sampled and eligible students and response rates, by institutional characteristic: National sample: 2008

Institutional characteristic2 Sampled _{students students}Eligible 3

Study respondents1 Unweighted

percent Weighted percent4

All students 137,800 132,800 96.2 95.7 Institutional level Less-than-2-year 8,820 7,950 95.0 96.7 2-year 43,460 40,770 93.3 92.5 4-year non-doctorate-granting 37,930 37,140 97.8 97.6 4-year doctorate-granting 47,590 46,940 97.6 97.6 Institutional control Public 87,470 84,240 95.3 94.9 Private not-for-profit 32,760 31,950 90.0 88.9 Private for-profit 17,570 16,610 92.8 92.2 Type of institution Public less-than-2-year 1,730 1,480 90.0 88.9 Public 2-year 39,340 37,010 92.8 92.2

Public 4-year non-doctorate-granting 16,120 15,850 98.0 98.1 Public 4-year doctorate-granting 30,280 29,910 97.3 97.4 Private not-for-profit less-than-4-year 2,080 1,790 97.0 97.7 Private not-for-profit 4-year non doctorate-granting 14,200 13,930 97.3 96.8 Private not-for-profit 4-year doctorate-granting 16,480 16,230 98.0 97.8 Private for-profit less-than-2-year 6,610 6,050 96.1 97.6 Private for-profit 2-year-or-more 10,960 10,560 98.5 98.7 1 _{A study respondent is defined as any eligible sample member for whom sufficient key data were obtained from one or more} sources, including the student interview, institutional records, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing System. 2 _{Institutional characteristics are based on data from the sampling frame formed from the 2004–05 IPEDS and freshened from the} 2005–06 IPEDS.

3 _{Sample member eligibility was determined during the student interview or from institutional records in the absence of a student} interview.

4 _{The weight described in this column is a base weight.}

NOTE: Percentages are based on the unrounded count of eligible students within the row under consideration. Details may not sum to totals because of rounding. IPEDS = Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007–08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08).

3.2.2 State Student Samples

The unweighted and weighted student response rates (among eligible students) varied by state and type of institution, ranging from 83 percent for California public, 2-year institutions to almost 100 percent for Illinois private, for-profit, degree-granting institutions (table 12).

Table 12. Numbers of sampled, eligible undergraduate students and response rates, by institutional characteristic: State samples: 2008

Institutional characteristic2 Sampled undergraduate students Eligible undergraduate students3

Undergraduate study respondents1 Number Unweighted percent Weighted percent4

California

Public 2-year 5,380 4,880 4,070 83.5 83.5

Public 4-year 3,870 3,850 3,690 96.0 96.5

Private not-for-profit 4-year 1,980 1,940 1,810 93.3 93.9 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,070 1,030 1,020 99.0 99.5

Georgia

Public 2-year 4,170 4,020 3,880 96.5 94.2

Public 4-year 2,120 2,090 2,080 99.3 99.4

Private not-for-profit 4-year 1,510 1,490 1,470 98.7 97.8 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,670 1,610 1,600 99.3 99.4

Illinois

Public 2-year 2,770 2,580 2,190 84.7 91.8

Public 4-year 1,860 1,830 1,780 97.2 97.8

Private not-for-profit 4-year 2,230 2,180 2,150 98.9 98.8 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,460 1,410 1,410 99.6 99.7

Minnesota

Public 2-year 4,640 4,400 4,190 95.1 95.8

Public 4-year 2,290 2,270 2,200 96.8 96.4

Private not-for-profit 4-year 1,290 1,290 1,280 99.3 99.1 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,340 1,300 1,260 97.1 95.8

New York

Public 2-year 4,200 4,070 3,960 97.4 97.2

Public 4-year 3,160 3,130 3,090 98.6 98.4

Private not-for-profit 4-year 3,450 3,390 3,330 98.1 98.1 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,550 1,440 1,410 97.6 96.5

Texas

Public 2-year 2,430 2,270 2,100 92.5 93.3

Public 4-year 3,160 3,120 3,010 96.6 96.2

Private not-for-profit 4-year 1,280 1,250 1,240 98.6 98.9 Private for-profit degree-granting 1,330 1,290 1,270 98.1 99.1 1 _{A study respondent is defined as any eligible sample member for whom sufficient key data were obtained from one or more} sources, including student interview, institutional records, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Central Processing System. 2 _{Institutional characteristics are based on data from the sampling frame formed from the 2004–05 IPEDS and freshened from the} 2005–06 IPEDS.

3_{Sample member eligibility was determined during the student interview or from institutional records in the absence of a student}

interview.

4 _{The weight described in this column is a base weight.}

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. Percentages are based on the eligible students within the row under consideration. IPEDS = Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, 2007–08 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:08).