Methodology Report for the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, 1987. Contractor Report.

To establish a comprehensive national database on postsecondary student financial aid, the National Center for Education Statistics conducted the 1987 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Objectives were to: (1) determine the costs of postsecondary education for aided and non-aided students; (2) evaluate how students finance their postsecondary education and the role financial aid plays in meeting these costs; (3) assess how families cope with postsecondary education costs; and (4) show the total education debt acquired by students. Information was also collected on characteristics of the participating students, parents, and institutions. This methodology report covers the general scope and design of the study, with emphasis on the in-school sample and sampling design. The sample design included four stages of sampling--area sampling; institution sampling; student sampling; and parent sampling. The 59,886 students who were eligible for participation in the NPSAS were attending eligible institutions on or about October 15, 1986. Project management is discussed, with a description of data collection and update. Chapters are devoted to the student survey and the parent survey. File creation and data analysis are described, and a chapter reviews weighting and variance estimation for the survey data. The size and complexity of the study required methodological innovations, some of which are the basis for recommendations for future studies growing from the experience of the NPSAS. Eight figures, 21 tables, and 9 exhibits supplement the report. Four appendixes contain: NPSAS data collection instruments; NPSAS measurement task reports; NPSAS student survey food and housing expenditure flags; and imputation for records abstract file. (SLD)

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