2022 EDUCAUSE Student Survey
Welcome and Informed Consent
Study Description
This survey asks questions about your experiences with and attitudes toward technology as a college student. Your responses will help staff and faculty at your institution and others understand how to use technology more effectively to benefit students. There are no right or wrong answers. We would just like you to answer as honestly as you can. Participation in the survey is completely voluntary. You can choose to exit the survey at any point. Your responses are confidential. Required questions are indicated with an asterisk (*).
This survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The survey can be completed on a mobile device, but you may have the best survey response experience using a desktop or laptop computer.
Please use the survey's navigation buttons below to go backward or forward within the survey. Using your device or browser’s navigation buttons might result in lost answers.
Conditions and Stipulations
- This online survey is being conducted for research purposes. The data resulting from this confidential survey will be made available to researchers at EDUCAUSE. You cannot be identified by your non-written survey responses. Data will be available as individual responses and in aggregate formats. Data will be available to the general public in the form of public presentations, reports, journal or newspaper articles, and/or in books.
- You cannot be identified by your non-written survey responses. There are several open-ended questions in this survey. It is best not to include personally identifiable information in these responses.
- The online survey involves questions about your technology experiences and expectations in higher education. Beyond demographics, all questions will only address IT-related issues.
- This survey is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Taking the research survey is voluntary. If you do not participate, it will not affect your college/university status in any way. If you choose, you may stop your participation at any time. If you choose to participate, you may skip any question you do not wish to answer, with the exception of the required screening question at the beginning of the survey.
- If you have any questions about the research survey and your rights as a participant, you can contact the research team through [email protected]. Your responses will provide data to inform higher education institutions on how to best improve IT experiences for students and faculty at colleges and universities.
- EDUCAUSE owns and maintains the data collected for the project. De-identified individual response data are stored on EDUCAUSE computers and/or in cloud-based storage systems. The data are stored indefinitely for use in analysis and benchmarking. Data are password-protected and accessible only by authorized individuals.
- By selecting "I agree" below, you are agreeing to participate in the research study, according to your rights as a voluntary research participant, as outlined above, and you provide consent to EDUCAUSE to use your survey responses as outlined above. (If you are viewing this on a mobile device, this option will appear on the next page. Please use the arrow to advance.)
You must be an adult (at least 18 years old, in most jurisdictions) and a full-time or part-time undergraduate student to participate in this survey. Indicate your agreement with the informed consent statement below.*
( ) I agree.
( ) I do not agree.
If you choose this option, you will exit the survey.
Screening Questions
What is your age?*
____________________________________________
Which of the following best describes your class standing during the current academic year?*
( ) Freshman or first-year student
( ) Sophomore or second-year student
( ) Junior or third-year student
( ) Senior or fourth-year student
( ) Fifth-year student or beyond
( ) Not an undergraduate student (Please note, only undergraduate students are eligible to take this survey.)
( ) Other undergraduate standing, please specify:
____________________________________________
Section 1: Equitable Student Access
1.1 Which of the following do you use as your primary device for your academic work (i.e., the device you use to complete most of your coursework)?
( ) Desktop
( ) Laptop
( ) Hybrid or 2-in-1 device (e.g., Microsoft Surface)
( ) Chromebook
( ) Tablet
( ) Smartphone
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.2 How do you access your primary device?
( ) I own it.
( ) I borrow it from friends or family.
( ) I borrow it from my institution.
( ) I go to a computer lab at my institution.
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.3 Can you access your primary device anytime you want to?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.4 Please tell us more about why you can’t access your primary device anytime you want to.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
1.5 Select the top three factors that influenced the selection of your primary device.
[ ] Availability (e.g., I would own or have access to this device anyway.)
[ ] Supply chain issues (e.g., The device I want was back-ordered.)
[ ] Financial (e.g., I can't afford to buy the device I really want.)
[ ] Academic needs (e.g., I have to use this device because it supports software or functions I need for school.)
[ ] Work/life balance (e.g., This is the best device to meet my academic, personal, and work needs.)
[ ] Personal preference (e.g., I like this device more than other options available to me.)
[ ] Security (e.g., I chose the most secure device available to me.)
[ ] Social (e.g., I am sharing this device and needed to consider others’ needs as well as my own.)
[ ] Institutional requirements (e.g., This is the device my university, college, or degree program requires for all students.)
[ ] Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.6 Which of the following do you use as your secondary device (i.e., the device you use most frequently aside from your primary device) for your academic work?
( ) Desktop
( ) Laptop
( ) Hybrid or 2-in-1 device (e.g., Microsoft Surface)
( ) Chromebook
( ) Tablet
( ) Smartphone
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
( ) I do not have a secondary device.
1.7 How do you access your secondary device?
( ) I own it.
( ) I borrow it from friends or family.
( ) I borrow it from my institution.
( ) I go to a computer lab at my institution.
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.8 Can you access your secondary device anytime you want to?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Other, please specify: ____________________________________________
1.9 What is the main reason you use a secondary device to complete your schoolwork (as opposed to using just one device for all of your schoolwork)?
( ) I use my secondary device when my primary device or Wi-Fi doesn’t work.
( ) My secondary device has features/functions (e.g., camera, better processing) that my primary device doesn’t have.
( ) I use my secondary device when I need to multitask or use multiple screens.
( ) My secondary device is more convenient to carry around.
( ) My secondary device is more convenient for quick tasks.
( ) Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
1.10 Since the beginning of the academic year, have you experienced stress during any of the following situations?
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I have not experienced this situation. |
I have experienced this, but it did not cause me stress. |
I have experienced this, and it caused me stress. |
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|---|---|---|---|
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Not being able to access my primary device when I needed it |
( ) |
( ) |
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Not having my device properly configured to perform a task |
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Not having the appropriate applications or software to perform a task |
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Having my device malfunction (e.g., software/operating system issues) when I needed it |
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Having my device break (e.g., physical damage rendering the device unusable) when I needed it |
( ) |
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Not being able to run required applications or software |
( ) |
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Unstable internet connections |
( ) |
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1.11 How important is it to your learning to be able to have access to each of the following things online?
| Not at all | Slightly | Moderately | Very | Extremely | Don't know | |
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E-textbooks or required readings |
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Class/lecture notes |
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Presentation slides (e.g., PowerPoint, Google) |
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Class handouts |
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Recorded lectures |
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Homework assignments |
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Quizzes |
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Exams |
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Discussions |
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Group activities |
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Video (e.g., YouTube videos, movies) |
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Audio (e.g., podcasts, music, recorded books) |
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Hands-on engagement with content (e.g., VR, virtual labs) |
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Study guides |
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Collaborative/shared documents |
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Peer teachers/tutors |
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Office hours/meetings with my instructor |
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1.12 What other types of institutional services or resources do you want to be able to access online?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
1.13 Do you have a disability for which you need assistive technologies?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Don’t know
( ) Prefer not to answer
1.14 Which of the following technologies do you need for your academic work, and do you have access to them?
|
I need it and have access to it. |
I need it but don’t have access to it. |
I don’t need it. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
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Speech-to-text software |
( ) |
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Text-to-speech software |
( ) |
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Word prediction software |
( ) |
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Screen reader |
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Digital magnifier |
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Digital player/recorder |
( ) |
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Pentop computer (e.g., smartpen) |
( ) |
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Digital highlighter |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
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Closed captions on videos |
( ) |
( ) |
( ) |
1.15 Since the beginning of the academic year, which of the following have you personally experienced? Select all that apply.
[ ] I couldn't access my primary device when I needed it because I had to share it with a family member or friend.
[ ] My primary device wasn't equipped to perform a task I needed it to perform for a course.
[ ] I missed a project or assignment deadline because I couldn't access my primary device or because it wouldn't work.
[ ] I missed attending a remote class session because I couldn't access my primary device or because it wouldn't work.
[ ] I missed an exam because I couldn't access my primary device or because it wouldn't work.
[ ] My primary device malfunctioned or was broken and required repair, support, or replacement.
[ ] I missed, lost time on, or failed an exam because my primary device did not support the required proctoring software.
[ ] My primary device was not able to run the required software due to compatibility, operating system, and/or memory issues.
[ ] My primary device lost connectivity to the internet during a class session, exam, and/or other synchronous activity.
[ ] I was required to purchase hardware or software for a course, but I rarely or never used it.
[ ] I was required to purchase hardware or software that I could not afford.
[ ] An app or tool my instructor wanted to use was not compatible with my assistive technology (e.g., screen reader).
[ ] Other device issue, please specify:: _________________________________________________
[ ] I haven't experienced any device issues since the beginning of the academic year.
[A] 1.16 How frequently do you struggle to find an internet connection that is adequate to meet all of your needs as a student?
( ) Never
( ) Rarely
( ) Sometimes
( ) Very often
( ) Always
[B] 1.16 How frequently do you have an internet connection that is adequate to meet all of your needs as a student?
( ) Never
( ) Rarely
( ) Sometimes
( ) Very often
( ) Always
1.17 Which of the following services provided by your institution are you using during the current academic term? Select all that apply.
[ ] Borrowing a laptop from my institution
[ ] Borrowing a tablet from my institution
[ ] Borrowing a hotspot from my institution
[ ] Receiving financial support from my institution to subsidize internet access
[ ] Receiving financial support from my institution to purchase hardware or software
[ ] Visiting a special campus location (e.g., a parking lot) for Wi-Fi access
[ ] Visiting a physical campus location (e.g., a computer lab) for hardware (e.g., computer, printer) access
[ ] Receiving help from my institution’s IT support for technology issues
[ ] Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] None of the above
1.18 Which of the following services or solutions have you sought out on your own, from somewhere other than your institution? Select all that apply.
[ ] Bought a new digital device (e.g., laptop, desktop, tablet)
[ ] Borrowed or shared a digital device
[ ] Bought a new mobile hotspot
[ ] Subscribed to home internet service
[ ] Upgraded home internet service
[ ] Subscribed to cell phone service
[ ] Upgraded cell phone service (i.e., increased data plan, added hotspot capability)
[ ] Traveled to places other than my primary site of internet access for an important event such as an exam or presentation
[ ] Received help from friends or family for IT issues
[ ] Received help from an external IT support service (e.g., Apple Genius Bar, Best Buy Geek Squad)
[ ] Solved IT issues with my own knowledge or personal troubleshooting abilities (e.g., searching the internet for solutions)
[ ] Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] None of the above
Section 2: The New Normal
2.1 Please tell us about your experience(s) with online and blended (i.e., partially online) courses in college. Select all that apply.
[ ] I took at least one online or blended college course prior to the onset of the pandemic (i.e., before March 2020).
[ ] I took at least one online or blended college course during the emergency move to remote learning in spring 2020.
[ ] I took at least one online or blended college course during the 2020–21 academic year.
[ ] I am currently taking at least one online or blended college course (i.e., 2021–22 academic year).
[ ] I have not taken any online or blended college courses.
2.2 How have your previous experiences with online and blended college courses influenced the likelihood that you will take online or blended courses again in the future?
( ) I am less likely to take online or blended college courses in the future.
( ) I am just as likely to take online or blended college courses in the future.
( ) I am more likely to take online or blended college courses in the future.
( ) I don’t know.
2.3a Please describe your reasons for being less likely to take online or blended college courses in the future.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.3b Please describe your reasons for being more likely to take online or blended college courses in the future.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.4 Considering a typical course, which one of the following course modes do you prefer?
( ) A course that is completely face-to-face
( ) A course that is mostly but not completely face-to-face
( ) A course that is about half online and half face-to-face (i.e., blended)
( ) A course that is mostly but not completely online
( ) A course that is completely online
( ) No preference
( ) Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
2.5 Are you currently taking all of your courses in your preferred mode(s) (i.e., online, blended, face-to-face)?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) I have no preferred mode(s).
( ) Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
2.6 Can you please tell us more about why you are not taking all of your classes in your preferred mode(s)?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.7 When you take courses that are not delivered in your preferred mode, how does that impact your learning experience (if at all)?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.8 Please provide an example of the most effective use of technology you have experienced in your courses since the beginning of the academic year.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.9 Please provide an example of the least effective use of technology you have experienced in your courses since the beginning of the academic year.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
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2.10 Which one of the following measures of success is most important to you in your undergraduate experience?
( ) Completing a degree
( ) Achieving a high GPA
( ) Securing a job
( ) Securing a promotion or advancing my career
( ) Securing a high salary
( ) Gaining independence
( ) Gaining general knowledge
( ) Gaining specific skills
( ) Achieving personal growth
( ) Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
2.11 What has your institution done to help you in achieving success in this area during your undergraduate experience?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
2.12 What are the greatest barriers to you achieving success in this area?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
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2.13 In what mode(s) do you prefer to meet with other students for academic work?
( ) Always face-to-face
( ) Mostly face-to-face, sometimes online
( ) About half face-to-face and half online
( ) Mostly online, sometimes face-to-face
( ) Always online
( ) Don’t know
2.14 In what mode(s) have you been meeting with other students for academic work since the beginning of the academic year?
( ) Always face-to-face
( ) Mostly face-to-face, sometimes online
( ) About half face-to-face and half online
( ) Mostly online, sometimes face-to-face
( ) Always online
Section 3: Data Privacy and Security
3.1 How do you rate your level of familiarity with personal data privacy and security?
( ) Very low
( ) Below average
( ) Average
( ) Above average
( ) Very high
( ) Don't know
3.2 How have you primarily learned about personal data privacy and security? Select all that apply.
[ ] Parents
[ ] Friends or acquaintances
[ ] Colleagues from work
[ ] Social media
[ ] News
[ ] Teachers
[ ] Information or training provided by my institution
[ ] Searching online (e.g., Google searches)
[ ] Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] I have not learned about my personal data privacy and security.
3.3 How do you rate your level of familiarity with your institution’s personal data privacy and security policies?
( ) Very low
( ) Below average
( ) Average
( ) Above average
( ) Very high
( ) Don't know
3.4 How have you primarily learned about your institution’s personal data privacy and security policies? Select all that apply.
[ ] Parents
[ ] Friends or acquaintances
[ ] Colleagues from work
[ ] Social media
[ ] News
[ ] Teachers
[ ] Information or training provided by my institution
[ ] Searching online (e.g., Google searches)
[ ] Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] I have not learned about my institution’s personal data privacy and security policies.
3.5 When using a new application for school, to what extent are you concerned about the following?
|
Not at all |
Slightly |
Moderately |
Very |
Extremely |
Don't know |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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The software company’s ability to store and protect my personal data |
( ) |
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The software company’s interest in using my personal data for research (to create a more compelling product, improve the product, etc.) |
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The software company’s interest in using my personal data for marketing |
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The software company’s interest in using my personal data purely for its own profit (e.g., selling my data |
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Receiving advertisements from the software company (e.g., embedded in coursework, sent via email) |
( ) |
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3.6 How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements about data/information privacy and security?
|
Strongly disagree |
Disagree |
Neutral |
Agree |
Strongly agree |
Don't know |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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I have confidence in my institution's information security practices. |
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I understand relevant college/university policies about data use, storage, and protection. |
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I understand my rights and responsibilities in regards to college/university policies about data use, storage, and protection. |
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I have confidence in my ability to follow my institution's information security policies and procedures. |
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My institution's privacy and security policies impede my productivity. |
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I benefit from my institution's privacy and security policies. |
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I have confidence in my institution's ability to safeguard my personal digital information (e.g., logins; card-swipe data; use of the library, health center, or fitness center; event attendance). |
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I have confidence in my institution's ability to safeguard my personal data (e.g., financial information, transcripts, test scores). |
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I understand how my institution uses the personal data they collect about me (e.g., personal digital data, financial data, academic data). |
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I benefit from my institution's collection and use of my personal data (e.g., through improved services, advising). |
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I trust my institution to use my personal data ethically and responsibly. |
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3.7 Please share more about why you do not have confidence in your institution's ability to safeguard your personal data.
____________________________________________
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3.8 Please share more about why you do not trust your institution to use your personal data ethically and responsibly.
____________________________________________
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3.9 How do you think your institution uses the personal data they collect about you?
____________________________________________
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Open-Ended Response Sharing
May we share the open-ended, written responses you provided throughout this survey with your institution?
If you have included information in your written responses that could identify you, we suggest choosing "No."
( ) No
( ) Yes
Section 4: Demographic Questions
4.1 Are you currently considered a full-time or part-time student at the institution that asked you to complete this survey? (Part time is typically fewer than 12 credit hours per quarter/semester or their equivalent.)
( ) Part time
( ) Full time
4.2a What is your housing situation?
( ) I live on campus.
( ) I live off campus in housing sponsored or owned by my college/university.
( ) I live off campus in housing not sponsored or owned by my college/university.
( ) My housing situation is unstable.
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.2b In what way(s) is your housing situation unstable? Select all that apply.
[ ] Campus housing might close.
[ ] There is uncertainty in rental housing.
[ ] There is uncertainty in my roommate situation.
[ ] I am experiencing transience (i.e., I have a place to stay, but it is only temporary).
[ ] I am experiencing homelessness.
[ ] Other, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] Prefer not to answer
4.3 Is your current housing situation determined by pandemic-related circumstances?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Don’t know
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.4 Are you the first person in your immediate family to attend college?
Immediate family refers to the family with whom you grew up.
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Don't know
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.5 Are you eligible for Pell Grants? (Pell Grants provide grant assistance to eligible undergraduate postsecondary students with demonstrated financial need to help meet education expenses.)
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Don't know
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.6 How many hours a week on average are you working while taking classes this academic term?
( ) Zero (not currently working)
( ) Fewer than 10
( ) At least 10 but fewer than 20
( ) At least 20 but fewer than 30
( ) At least 30 but fewer than 40
( ) 40 or more
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.7 What is your current gender identity? Select all that apply.
[ ] Male
[ ] Female
[ ] Transgender
[ ] Nonbinary
[ ] A different identity
[ ] Prefer not to answer
4.8 Are you a citizen of the United States?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.9 Are you a dependent, or do you have any dependents?
( ) Dependent
( ) Independent, no dependents
( ) Independent, with dependents
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.10 Are you married or in a domestic partnership?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.11 What is your ethnic background? Select all that apply.
[ ] American Indian/Native American/Alaskan native
[ ] Asian/Pacific Islander
[ ] Black/African American
[ ] Hispanic/Latino
[ ] White
[ ] Another ethnicity not specified here
[ ] Prefer not to answer
4.12 Do you speak a language other than English at home?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.13a Have you been diagnosed with a disability or impairment?
( ) No
( ) Yes
( ) Prefer not to answer
4.13b With which of the following disabilities or impairments have you been diagnosed? Select all that apply.
[ ] A learning disability (e.g., ADHD, dyslexia)
[ ] A mental health disorder
[ ] A mobility impairment
[ ] A sensory impairment (vision or hearing)
[ ] A chronic illness
[ ] Another disability or impairment, please specify: _________________________________________________
[ ] Prefer not to answer