Undergraduate
Financial Aid Survey 2005
The
survey was conducted in the spring of 2005 at the request of Yvonne
Hubbard, Director of the Office of Student Financial Services. A
total of 706 first- and fourth-year undergraduate students agreed
to participate in the survey and 569 responded, for a response rate
of 81%. The survey asked students questions about their academic
activities, financial situation, and future plans.
Data
Reports
Questionnaire (MS Word
doc)
Methodology
Data
(Stored in IAS Data
Catalog)
Summary
Tables
Frequencies
- Overall
Text
Comments (MS Word Doc)
Other
Responses (MS Word Doc)
Reports
(Stored in IAS Reports)
Complete
Report
Introduction
Summary
of Findings
Summary
of High-Need Text Comments
All
High-Need Text Comments
Methodology
Questionnaire
Methodology
The Undergraduate Financial Aid Survey is a locally
developed instrument and part of a two wave, 4-year panel study
that is being conducted to determine the effectiveness of the AccessUVa
financial aid program. Four surveys are planned--two in the students'
first year and two in their fourth year. The survey population for
the first wave of the panel was all first- and fourth-year undergraduate
students who qualified for need-based financial aid in 2004-05--the
first year AccessUVa was put into effect. Within each academic level
are two subgroups--high-need financial aid recipients (defined as
those students whose family incomes were at or below 200% of the
poverty level and qualify for AccessUVa) and the rest of need-based
aid recipients. The same respondents were also asked to complete
this year's National Survey of Student Engagement. These results
are reported separately on this website. First-year students will
repeat both surveys again in their fourth year at UVa.
On January 14, 2005, all of the high-need students
(255) and a sample of approximately 60% of need-based financial
aid recipients (856) were sent personalized letters signed by the
Vice President for Student Affairs, Patricia Lampkin. The letter
informed them of the importance and general purposes of the panel
study, assured them of confidentiality, and invited them to participate
in the two surveys of each waves of the study for a total of four.
Students who wished to participate were asked to sign up by filling
out a brief web form.
A total of 706 students responded to this initial
contact letter and signed up to participate in the panel study.
Respondents were paid incentives for participating but they had
to fill out both the locally developed Financial Aid Survey and
NSSE. The amount of the incentive depended upon the subgroup. First-year
high-need students were paid $50. First-year need-based financial
aid recipients and fourth-year high-need students were paid $25.
Fourth-year need-based financial aid recipients were eligible for
one of 60 lottery prizes: 20 $50 gift certificates and 40 $25 gift
certificates to the University of Virginia Bookstore. The students
will be paid equivalent amounts for the second wave of the study
to be completed in their fourth year.
The Financial Aid Survey was conducted entirely
over the web. Respondents were tracked via an alphanumeric randomized
respondent key. Four email reminders were sent to nonrespondents
during the spring semester on March 25 and April 1, 8, and 14. A
final reminder was sent after exams were over on May 17.
When the field period ended on June 1, 2005, a
total of 569 students had responded to this survey for a response
rate of 81%. At a 95% confidence level, the overall sampling error
for the survey was ±3.3%.
Questions regarding the administration of the survey,
the questionnaire, or the results can be directed to Jonathan Schnyer,
Assistant Director and Assessment Coordinator, Office of Institutional
Assessment and Studies, P.O. Box 400427, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4727
(434/924-3417 or schnyer@virginia.edu
).
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