Prince Edward Island Student Survey

During March and April 2008, the MESA project conducted a survey of Prince Edward Island college and university students, asking them questions about their experience in post-secondary education and how they pay for school. In all, about 500 students were surveyed [link here to survey]. Results will be included in the final PEI provincial report for the MESA project, to be released in late 2009 or early 2010.

This research was conducted as part of a larger research project about post-secondary education and student financial aid.  The participation of University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College students in this research was completely voluntary and the decision to participate or not did not impact students' current or future student financial aid eligibility.  This survey and research was approved by each institution’s ethics review board. 

If you participated in this survey, thank you very much. Raffle winners were already selected.

For additional information on this survey, please contact Miriam Kramer at mkramer@educationalpolicy.org.

Index

Question

1.

Informed Consent

 By pressing the “Start” button at the bottom of this page, I indicate that I have read and understand the explanation about this survey on the survey home page LINK HERE. I have been given the opportunity to contact the researcher to discuss it and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction. I hereby consent to take part in this study. However I realize that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw from the survey at any time, by not clicking on the “Submit” button at the end of this survey.

2.

If [3 or 4] skip to q81

 In what post-secondary institution are you currently enroled?
  1. Holland College
  2. University of Prince Edward Island
  3. I am a student at another post-secondary institution
  4. I am not currently enroled in post-secondary education

3.

[1] & [3-6] Skip to q82

 What degree are you currently studying?
  1. University Undergraduate Certificate Or Diploma (below a Bachelor’s Degree)
  2. University Bachelor’s Degree (e.g. B.A., B.Sc., B.Ed.,)
  3. Master’s Degree (e.g. M.B.A., M.Ed., M.A., M.Sc.)
  4. First professional Degree in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Optometry
  5. Doctorate degree (earned e.g. Ph.D, D.Sc., D.Ed)
  6. Other

4.

 Are you considered a part-time or full-time student this school year?
  1. Full-time
  2. Part-time
  3. Combination (took one term part-time and the other full-time)
  4. Not sure/don’t know

5.

 Are you studying on an international student visa?
  1. Yes
  2. No

6.

 Did you attend high school in Prince Edward Island?
  1. Yes
  2. No

7.

 In what field of study are you currently enroled?
  1. Administration / Business
  2. Agriculture & Related Fields
  3. Arts & Science
  4. Community Services / Education
  5. Dentistry
  6. Engineering / Technology
  7. Health Science
  8. Law
  9. Medicine
  10. Trade
  11. Other ________________ (specify)

8.

If [1] skip BRW_Y3

 In what year of study are you?
  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth
  5. Beyond Fourth

9.

 Do you currently live…
  1. At home with your parent(s) or legal guardians
  2. In a university or college residence
  3. With one or more roommates, in an apartment or house
  4. In an apartment or house alone
  5. With a spouse or long-term partner

10.

 So far this school year, what is your overall grade average, as a percentage or a letter grade?
  1. 90% or above (mainly A+’s)
  2. 80 to 89% (mainly A’s, A-‘s)
  3. 70-79% (mainly B’s)
  4. 60-69% (mainly C’s)
  5. 50-59% (mainly D’s)
  6. Under 50% (mainly E’s and F’s)
  7. Don’t know
  8. Refuse

11.

 Do you plan to get additional degrees, diplomas, or certificates after your current program?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t know

12.

Show if q11. = [1]

 What additional degree(s) do you plan to attain? [Select all that apply]
  1. Private business school or training institute Certificate or Diploma
  2. Community College, CEGEP, Trade/Vocational, Apprenticeship
  3. Teaching Certificate or Degree
  4. Nursing Degree or Certificate
  5. Accounting Degree or Certificate
  6. University Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma (below a Bachelor’s Degree)
  7. University Bachelor’s Degree (e.g. B.A., B.Sc., B.Ed.,)
  8. First professional Degree in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Law, Optometry
  9. Master’s Degree (e.g. M.B.A., M.Ed., M.A., M.Sc.)
  10. Doctorate Degree (earned e.g. Ph.D, D.Sc., D.Ed)
  11. Other ________________ (specify)
Question on the Costs and Funding of Post-Secondary Education

13.

 For the current school year, what is the total cost of your tuition and any ancillary fees? [Ancillary fees are those required by your school such as student association membership, health services athletic fees, or any other payments]
  1. Don’t know
  2. None
  3. Amount

14.

14.1-14.11

 Students use various sources of money to fund their education.

Which of the following sources have you used to pay for school or other living expenses this academic year? (Yes / No / Don’t Know)

  1. Government Loans [This refers to money that is borrowed from the provincial – Prince Edward Island Student Loan Program—or federal –Canada Student Loans Program—governments that must be paid back.]
  2. A bursary or grant from the government as part of your financial aid package [This refers to money that is granted from government sources –at either the provincial or federal levels that does not have to be paid back. ].
  3. University or college grant or scholarship based on merit [This refers to awards, scholarships or grants that don’t have to be paid back that your college or university gives you based on your grades, either from high school or during your time in post-secondary education].
  4. University or college grant or bursary based on need [This refers to awards, scholarships or grants that don’t have to be paid back that your college or university gives you based on your family’s income or if you have a disability].
  5. A bursary, grant or scholarship from another source [This refers to funding that you don’t have to pay back from a source that is neither government or institutional such as a current or past employer, union, club, or a company or corporation].
  6. Working during the academic year at a job that is not co-op
  7. Working during the academic year as part of a co-op program
  8. Savings from a job this past summer [May-Aug 2008]
  9. A private loan or a student line of credit from a bank [This refers to money lent by a bank or financial institution (e.g. CIBC, TD, Scotia etc) that must be paid back]
  10. A loan from your family [This refers to money lent to you by your parents or another family member that they expect you to pay back]
  11. Money from your parents or another family member that you are not expected to pay back [i.e. as a gift or donation to you]

15.

Show if q14.1 = [No]

 Why did you not take out government loans to pay for school?

[Select all that apply]

  1. You did not need student financial aid in order to attend university, college or some other post-secondary program
  2. You did not think you would qualify
  3. You were approved for student financial aid, but it was not enough money
  4. You were approved for student financial aid, but it was too much money
  5. You were not willing to take a student loan to pay for your education because you were afraid of the debt
  6. You did not know how to apply for a loan
  7. On principle, not willing to go into debt to pay for education
  8. You did not think that you would receive enough money
  9. Other
16. Based on your answers from the previous page, we will now ask you the amounts of funding you have received from the sources you listed for this school year [Sept 2008-April 2009].

[To answer these questions, click on the circle then enter the amount]

17.

If Q14.1 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from Government Loans? [Again, this refers to money that is borrowed from the provincial – Prince Edward Island Student Loan Program—or federal –Canada Student Loans Program—governments that must be paid back.]
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

18.

If Q14.2 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from a bursary or grant from the government as part of your financial aid package? [Again, this refers to money that is granted from government sources –at either the provincial or federal levels that does not have to be paid back.].
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

19.

If Q14.3 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from university or college grant or scholarship based on merit? [Again, this refers to awards, scholarships or grants that don’t have to be paid back that your college or university gives you based on your grades, either from high school or during your time in post-secondary education].
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

20.

If Q14.4 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from university or college grant or bursary based on need? [Again, this refers to awards, scholarships or grants that don’t have to be paid back that your college or university gives you based on your family’s income or if you have a disability].
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

21.

If Q14.5 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from a bursary, grant or scholarship from another source? [Again, this refers to funding that you don’t have to pay back from a source that is neither government or institutional such as a current or past employer, union, club, or a company or corporation].
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

22.

If Q14.6 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from working during the current academic year that was not part of a co-op program?
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

23.

If Q14.7 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from working during the current academic year as part of a co-op program?
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

24.

If Q14.8 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money were you able to save from a job this past summer?
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

25.

If Q14.9 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from a private loan or a student line of credit from a bank? [Again, this refers to money lent by a bank or financial institution (e.g. CIBC, TD, Scotia etc) that must be paid back]
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

26.

If Q14.10 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from a loan from your family? [Again, this refers to money lent to you by your parents or another family member that they expect you to pay back]
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:

27.

If Q14.11 = Yes

 For the current school year, approximately how much money did you receive from your parents or another family member that you are not expected to pay back [i.e. as a gift or donation to you]
  1. Don’t know
  2. Amount:
We will now ask you some more questions about your funding for post-secondary education.

28.

Show if Q14.1 = Yes

 If you had been able to borrow more money from your government student loan would you have done so?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t know

29.

If Q14.2 = Yes

 Did you ever receive the Millennium Prince Edward Island Access Grant?
  1. I received this grant this year.
  2. I received this grant last year.
  3. I received this grant two years ago.
  4. I have never received this grant.
  5. I don’t know if I have ever received this grant or not.

30.

Show if Q14.1 = Yes

Show if Q14.2 = Yes

 Did receiving a government grant or bursary affect how much you borrowed this year?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t know

31.

Show if Q30 = Yes

 Can you please explain how receiving a government grant or bursary impacted how much you borrowed this year?
  1. I was able to borrow less money from the government
  2. I did not have to borrow any money from the government
  3. I did not have to borrow or borrowed less from a private bank
  4. I did not have to borrow or borrowed less from my parents or other family member
  5. Other

32.

Show if Q14.9 = Yes

 Why did you borrow money from a private bank?
  1. I would not have been able to go to school on government loans and grants alone
  2. I wanted to have more funds to spend during the year.
  3. I needed money to make a specific purchase
  4. Other , please specify

33.

Show if q6 = [1]

 Did you receive an entrance award from your school? [An entrance award is given in the first year of study and may be for one year only, or may require some minimum criteria to be met for it to be continued in subsequent years]
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not sure
  4. Refused
We are now going to ask you some questions about working this academic year.

34.

 During the school year, have you had any paid jobs?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t Know

35.

Show if q34 = [1]

 During this current school year, how many weeks out of an average month do you normally work at paid jobs?
  1. One week per month
  2. Two weeks per month
  3. Three weeks per month
  4. Every week
  5. Don’t Know

36.

Show if q34 = [1]

 During this school year, in an average working week, how many hours did you normally work at paid jobs?
  1. Less than one hour per week
  2. 1 to 3 hours
  3. 4 to 7 hours
  4. 8 to 14 hours
  5. 15 to 20 hours
  6. 21 to 30 hours
  7. More than 30 hours per week
  8. Don’t know

37.

Show if q34 = [1]

 Would you work more if you could?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not sure

38.

Show if q34 = [1]

 During this school year, in an average month, how much do you earn from wages, commissions and tips?
  1. Don’t know
  2. Nothing
  3. Amount:

39.

Show if q34 = [2]

 Why don’t you work while you are attending post-secondary?
  1. Need to focus on school work
  2. Don’t need the funding since get ample funding from government and other assistance
  3. My parents or other relatives help me pay for school so that I don’t have to work
  4. I couldn’t find a job
  5. Other
Not applicable if student is in Year 1

Skip q32- 36 if q6 = [1]
We are going to ask you some questions to find out more information about how your financing of your education is different now than it was in past years. In other words, if you are a second year student, we want to know how this year’s funding compares to last year’s.

40.

 If you compare your first year in post-secondary education and this current academic year, has the way you financed your studies changed?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t know

41.

MATRIX

 Are you now receiving more, less or the same amount as before from the following sources:

(More/Less/Same/Not applicable/Don’t know)

  1. Loans from the government
  2. Grants from the government
  3. From your parents
  4. From the school you are attending
  5. From working
  6. From private loans (Bank/credit lines)

42.

MATRIX

 In your first year of studies, did you receive an entrance award from your school? [An entrance award is given in the first year of study and may be for one year only, or may require some minimum criteria to be met for it to be continued in subsequent years]
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not sure
  4. Refused

43.

Show if q42 = [1]

 How much was this award for in your first year?
  1. Don’t know
  2. Refused
  3. Amount:_________________

44.

Show if q42 = [1]

 Was this award continued for your:

(Yes/No/Not applicable/Don’t Know/Refused)

  1. Second year
  2. Third year
Now we will ask you some questions about your accumulated borrowing, throughout your entire time that you’ve been attending post-secondary education.

45.

 How many years of government student loans have you received since you started post-secondary education?
  1. None
  2. One
  3. Two
  4. Three or more
  5. Don’t know

46.

Skip if q45 = [1]

 What would have been the impact for you on your post-secondary education if you had not received government student financial aid in your first year of post-secondary education? [Please check all the answers that apply]
  1. Quit school entirely
  2. Reduce course load and work more
  3. Work more, while maintaining same course load
  4. Switch programs you were studying
  5. Switch schools that you were attending
  6. Borrow more money from bank loans/lines of credit/credit cards
  7. Borrow more from parents, other family members, or friends
  8. Get more money (not as a loan) from parents, other family members or friends
  9. Change living arrangements (e.g., move in with parents or someone else)
  10. Don’t know

47.

Skip if q45 = [1]

 During the entire time that you borrowed money for school, did you ever borrow less than the full amount that you were eligible for in government student loans?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Don’t know

48.

Show if q47 = [1]

 Can you please explain why you borrowed less than the full amount for which you were eligible?
  1. You didn’t need to borrow that much money
  2. You didn’t want to borrow that much money
  3. Don’t know
  4. Other

49.

 Still thinking about your accumulated borrowing, during your entire time in post-secondary, have borrowed from any of the following sources to help fund your post-secondary education?
  1. Government
  2. Private banks
  3. Family members

50.

Government Sources

You said that you have borrowed money from the government while you’ve been studying. We will now ask you some questions about this borrowing.

Thinking about your accumulated borrowing, during your entire time in post secondary, estimate to the best of your ability the entire amount of money that you have borrowed so far from the government only. [This includes money from either federal (e.g. The Canadian Student Loans Program) or provincial (e.g. PEI Student Assitance Program) sources].

  1. Total amount: $

51.

Show if q49 = [1]

 Sometimes students are able to pay back some of their government loans while they are still in school. If you have been able to pay back any of the money that you borrowed from the government, please indicate the amount that you have paid back so far. [Please type in “0” if you have not yet been able to pay back any of your government debt].
  1. Amount paid back so far: $

52.

Show if q49 = [1]

 How long do you think it will take you to pay back your total accumulated debt from government loans once your are finished with your undergraduate education? [Please estimate number of years to the full year].
  1. Number of years:

53.

Show if q49 = [2]

 Private Banks

You said that you have borrowed only from private banks while you’ve been studying we will now ask you some questions about this borrowing.

Thinking about your accumulated borrowing, during your entire time in post-secondary, estimate to the best of your ability the entire amount of money that you have borrowed so far from private banks only. [This includes money from private bank loans such as loans or lines of credit].

  1. Total amount: $

54.

Show if q49 = [2]

 Sometimes students are able to pay back some of their private loans while they are still in school. If you have been able to pay back any of the money that you borrowed from private banks, please indicate the amount that you have paid back so far. [Please type in “0” if you have not yet been able to pay back any of your private bank debt].
  1. Amount paid back so far: $

55.

Show if q49 = [2]

 How long do you think it will take you to pay back your total accumulated debt from private banks once your are finished your undergraduate education? [Please estimate number of years to the full year].
  1. Number of years:

56.

Show if q49 = [3]

 Family Members

You said that you have borrowed only from family members while you’ve been studying we will now ask you some questions about this borrowing.

Thinking about your accumulated borrowing, during your entire time in post-secondary, estimate to the best of your ability the entire amount of money that you have borrowed so far from family members only. [This includes money from family members that you are supposed to pay back, not money that was given to you as a gift or that you don’t have to pay back].

  1. Total amount: $

57.

Show if q49 = [3]

 Sometimes students are able to pay back some of their family members while they are still in school. If you have been able to pay back any of the money that you borrowed from family members, please indicate the amount that you have paid back so far. [Please type in “0” if you have not yet been able to pay back any of your family member debt].
  1. Amount paid back so far: $

58.

Show if q49 = [3]

 How long do you think it will take you to pay back your total accumulated debt from family members once your are finished your undergraduate education? [Please estimate number of years to the full year].
  1. Number of years:
Please rate the following statement based on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 means very worthwhile and 5 means not at all worthwhile.

59.

 Do you think that post-secondary education is worth borrowing for?
  1. Very worthwhile
  2. Somewhat worthwhile
  3. Worthwhile
  4. Not worthwhile
  5. Not at all worthwhile
  6. Don’t know

We will now ask you to rate statements based on your concern with them.  Using a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is very concerned and 5 is not at all concerned.

60.

 To what extent are you concerned about the amount of time it will take to repay your debt?
  1. Very concerned
  2. Somewhat
  3. Neutral
  4. Slightly
  5. Not at all concerned
  6. No Opinion

61.

 To what extent are you concerned about being able to pay back your debt?
  1. Very concerned
  2. Somewhat
  3. Neutral
  4. Slightly
  5. Not at all concerned
  6. No Opinion

62.

 To what extent are you concerned that your debt will affect your credit rating/score?
  1. Very concerned
  2. Somewhat
  3. Neutral
  4. Slightly
  5. Not at all concerned
  6. No Opinion

63.

 To what extent are you concerned about having sufficient funds to complete your post-secondary education?
  1. Very concerned
  2. Somewhat
  3. Neutral
  4. Slightly
  5. Not at all concerned
  6. No Opinion
We will now ask you to rate statements based on your agreement with them using a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 is Strongly Disagree and 5 is Strongly Agree.

64.

 I plan to delay further post-secondary education until I can pay back some or all of my debt.
  1. Strongly Disagree
  2. Somewhat Disagree
  3. Neutral
  4. Somewhat Agree
  5. Strongly Agree
  6. No Opinion

65.

 I plan to live with my parents when I finish school until I can pay back some or all of my debt.
  1. Strongly Disagree
  2. Somewhat Disagree
  3. Neutral
  4. Somewhat Agree
  5. Strongly Agree
  6. No Opinion
Now we will ask you some questions about the average student debt.

66.

 In your opinion, what is the average debt load of Canadians who borrow after they graduate from university?
  1. Under $5, 000
  2. $5,000-$10,000
  3. $10,000-$20,000
  4. $20,000-$30,000
  5. $30,000-$40,000
  6. Above $40,000
  7. Don’t know/not sure

67.

 On average, how long does it take the average Canadian to pay back their student loan debt?
  1. less than 1 year
  2. 1-2 years
  3. 3-4 years
  4. 5-7 years
  5. More than 7 years
  6. Don’t know/not sure

68.

 At what point does interest begin to accrue on government student loans?
  1. After each year, for the money that was borrowed that year
  2. Immediately upon graduation
  3. Six months after graduation
  4. Nine months after graduation
  5. One year after graduation
  6. Don’t know/not sure

69.

 At what point are individuals required to begin paying back their government student loans?
  1. After each year, for the money that was borrowed that year
  2. Immediately upon graduation
  3. Six months after graduation
  4. Nine months after graduation
  5. One year after graduation
  6. Don’t know/not sure

70.

 In general, where do you get your information about student financial assistance?

[check all that apply]

  1. Parents
  2. Siblings
  3. Friends
  4. Federal government websites
  5. Provincial government websites
  6. General Internet websites
  7. High school guidance councillors
  8. College or university student financial aid office
  9. Other
Now just a few final questions to help us learn more about the student population in Prince Edward Island.

71.

 Are you?
  1. Male
  2. Female
  3. Other/refuse

72.

 What is your age?
  1. Under 18
  2. 18
  3. 19
  4. 20
  5. 21
  6. 22 or older
  7. Refuse

73.

 What is your marital status?
  1. Single
  2. Married/ cohabiting /common law
  3. Divorced/separated
  4. Widowed
  5. Refuse

74.

 How many dependent children do you have?
  1. None
  2. One
  3. Two
  4. Three or more
  5. Refuse

75.

 Were you born in Canada?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refuse

76.

 Were both of your parents born in Canada?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Not sure
  4. Refuse

77.

 What is the highest level of schooling your mother or female guardian completed?
  1. Less than high school
  2. High school
  3. College
  4. University
  5. Don’t know
  6. Refuse

78.

 What is the highest level of schooling your father or male guardian completed?
  1. Less than high school
  2. High school
  3. College
  4. University
  5. Don’t know
  6. Refuse

79.

 What is your approximate total family income?
  1. Under $20,000
  2. $20,000 to $40,000
  3. $40,000 to $60,000
  4. $60,000 to $80,000
  5. Above $80,000
  6. Don’t know
  7. Refuse

80.

For those currently in post-secondary

Thank you very much for your participation in this research. You will be notified by student services if you are a winner of a $25 gift certificate to the campus bookstore.

If you have any further questions about this research, please refer to the contact information on the home page of this study. Thank you again and have a nice day.

Upcoming Research/consent

Over the next coming weeks we will be conducting focus groups with students in PEI. Would you be interested in participating in some of this paid research? Note: saying yes now does not oblige you to participate in future research. It just allows us to call you to inquire about your participation.

  1. Yes
  2. No

81.

Show if q80 = [1]

 Please enter your email and telephone, including a permanent number so that we may be able to reach you in the coming weeks to see if you might qualify and like to participate in future focus groups?
  1. Email
  2. Phone number
  3. Alternate phone number

82.

For those not eligible. Thank you very much for your interest in this research. Unfortunately, because you are not an undergraduate student at either the University of Prince Edward Island or Holland College you are not eligible for this research. Thank you again.

If you are currently an undergraduate student at either Holland College or the University of Prince Edward Island and clicked on the wrong response by mistake, please email surveys@academicagroup.com with a request to have your username and password reset so you can access the survey.

For further questions regarding the eligibility requirements of this survey, please refer to the contact information on the home page of this study. Thank you again and have a nice day.

83.

For those not eligible.Thank you very much for your interest in this research. Unfortunately, because you are not an undergraduate student at either the University of Prince Edward Island or Holland College you are not eligible for this research. Thank you again.

If you are currently an undergraduate student at either Holland College or the University of Prince Edward Island and clicked on the wrong response by mistake, please email surveys@academicagroup.com with a request to have your username and password reset so you can access the survey.

For further questions regarding the eligibility requirements of this survey, please refer to the contact information on the home page of this study. Thank you again and have a nice day.


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