Invitation Letter

Dear Jane Doe,

We are requesting your participation in the 2015 National Survey of College Graduates. This survey collects information on how people use their college education over time, especially as economic conditions change. The success of this national survey depends on your participation.

Results from this survey help our nation in many ways, including:

• Informing education and workforce policy decisions to improve America’s standing in today’s global economy

• Encouraging programs that increase graduation rates among traditionally underrepresented groups

Respond by July 9 at https://respond.census.gov/nscg

Login ID:

Password:

The U.S. Census Bureau has conducted this ongoing study on behalf of the National Science Foundation since the 1970s. You were scientifically selected to participate in this survey, so your response is imperative. We cannot substitute another college graduate for you.

More Information: Call toll-free, at 1-888-262-5935 from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, e-mail nscg@census.gov, or see the back of this letter for answers to frequently asked questions.

Thank you in advance for responding to this important national survey.

Sincerely,

NATIONAL SURVEY OF COLLEGE GRADUATES (NSCG)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NSCG?

The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) is a study by the National Science

Foundation (NSF), an independent agency of the U.S. government. The U.S. Census Bureau

collects and processes the survey data for NSF. The NSCG has been conducted since the

early 1970s and is the most important source of information on the education and career paths of the Nation’s college-educated population.

How is the information used?

The survey data provides important information about the education and career paths of the

Nation’s college graduates. Academic researchers and government policymakers use these

data to study the relationship between education and career opportunities. Students making

decisions about their own education and career choices find this information valuable, as do

individuals thinking about changing careers. These data are needed to make informed

decisions about how to best utilize the limited resources in the areas of research, education,

and job training.

Why don’t you select someone else? Do I have to participate?

You were randomly chosen to represent hundreds of others in the same field. Once a person

has been selected in the sample, we cannot call another person because it would harm the

quality of the sample data we collect. If we don’t obtain responses from the people selected,

the study could produce biased data. Your response is voluntary, and there are no penalties for

not answering individual responses.

How will you keep my information confidential? What authority do you have to collect this data?

This information is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Act

of 1950, as amended. The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting this survey under the authority of

Title 13, Section 8 of the United States Code. Title 13, Section 9 of the United States Code or

the Confidentiality Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002 requires the U.S.

Census Bureau and the NSF to keep all information about you strictly confidential. We may

use this information only for statistical purposes. Any U.S. Census Bureau and NSF employee

who violate these provisions are subject to a fine up to $250,000 or a prison sentence up to

five years or both.

How long will this survey take?

The amount of time it takes for any one person to complete the questionnaire differs and

depends on individual circumstances or responses to the questions. Based on pretests, the

average time to complete the questionnaire is about 30 minutes. Send comments regarding

this burden estimate or any other aspects of this collection of information, including

suggestions for reducing this burden, to the National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd.

Suite 295, Arlington, VA 22230, Attn: NSF Reports Clearance Officer.

Additional information about this survey

Under 5 CFR 1320.5(b), an agency cannot conduct, sponsor, or require a response to a

collection of information unless the collection displays a currently valid Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) approval number. OMB approval number for this survey is 3145-0141 and

expiration date is 05/31/2018.