Difference by age. The older a student is, the more likely they are to have two or more credit cards (increasing from 12% of those aged 18 and younger to 39% of those aged 25 and older). Younger students are also more likely to pay off their balance each month, with 89% of those aged 18 and younger saying they pay their last balance, compared to 56% of those aged 25 and older. Among those with credit card debt, the average debt also increases with age from $1,401 (aged 18 and younger) to $4,858 (aged 25 and older).
Difference by age. Likely due to the fact that older students are more likely to be studying part time, results show that the older a student is, the less time they spend in classes and labs, dropping from 15.9 hours per week for those 20 and younger to 11.2 hours for those 30 and older. However, the time spent outside of class on academic work is virtually the same across age groups, indicating that older students are spending a greater ratio of time outside of class to in class than younger students.
Difference by age. The older a student is, the more likely they are to report living in a personally owned home and less likely to be living with parents, guardians, or relatives.
Difference by age. The older a student is, the less likely they are to be financing their education through parents, family and spouse (decreasing from 76% of those 20 and younger to 33% of those 30 and older), earnings from summer work (decreasing from 51% of those 20 and younger to 17% of those 30 and older), and RESPs (decreasing from 21% of those 20 and younger to 1% of those 30 and older). Most students do not just rely on one source to finance their education. In fact, the average number of sources reported is about three, with more than half relying on three or more sources. Table 51: Number of sources of financing All Group Nipissing students 1 2 3 University (n=18,144) (n=5,612) (n=7,916) (n=4,616) (n=408) One 23% 21% 21% 25% 13% Two 23% 23% 23% 25% 17% Three 26% 25% 26% 25% 26% Four or more 28% 32% 30% 25% 44% Average 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.6 3.3 Difference by visible minority. On average, visible minority students require fewer sources to fund their current year than non-minority students. Visible minority students use 2.5 sources on average compared to 2.9 sources for non-minority students. Further evidence is that 30% of visible minority students report using only one source to fund their current year, versus 19% of non-visible minority students (although this difference is not statistically significant).
Difference by age. The older a student is, the greater probability the student is a first-generation student. Just 8% of those 20 and younger are first-generation students, and this proportion increases across age groups up to 31% of those 30 and older.
Difference by age. As students get older, they are less likely to report using food services, athletic facilities, and university residences. Among those who used each general service or facility, the table below shows very little difference in the satisfaction of general facilities and services, with the exception of parking facilities (53%) and food services (71%).
Difference by age. The older a student is, the less likely they are to report that they received a financial award, decreasing from 69% of students 18 and younger to 24% of those 22 and older. Appendix A – 2019 CUSC-CCREU Survey 2019 Survey of First Year Students This survey is being completed by first-year students at approximately 70 Canadian universities. We want to learn more about our new students to help them make a successful transition to university. If you cannot finish the survey in one sitting, you can close it and return to it using the link in the email we sent you. You will be returned to the page you were on when you closed. All of your responses are confidential. shading description No shading Question only in the First Year Survey Question in all 3 surveys Question in the First Year Survey and the Middle Years Survey Motivation How important were each of the following possible reasons in your decision to go to university? Not important important Important Very important motiv1 To prepare for a specific job or career ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv2 To satisfy my intellectual curiosity ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv3 To earn more money than if I didn’t go ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv4 To get a broad education ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv5 I am more likely to get a job with a degree ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv6 The satisfaction of doing challenging academic work ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv7 To apply what I will learn to make a positive difference in society or my community ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv8 I didn’t have anything better to do ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv9 To get a more fulfilling job than I probably would if I didn’t go ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv10 To meet my family’s expectations ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv11 Learning new things is exciting ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv12 Most of my friends are going ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv13 To meet new people ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv14 The chance to participate in varsity athletics ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv15 To explore whether university is right for me ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motiv16 Other reason (please specify) ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ motivtxt motivtop Which one was the most important to you? Applications How many universities besides <university name> did you apply to? app1 in Canada: app2 in other countries: app3 Did you apply to a college or CEGEP? Yes ☐ No ☐ app4 Is <university name> your first choice? Yes ☐ No ☐ [If app4 = “No” branch to apptxt, otherwise branch to the Selection section.] apptxt What was your first choice university? Selection How important were each of the following in your decision to choose <university name>? Not important Somewhat important Important Very important sel1 I wanted to live close to home ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ...
Difference by age. The older a student is, the more likely they are to be a permanent resident, married, and have children.
Difference by age. The older a student is, the less likely they are to report living in on-campus housing, declining from 43% of those 18 and younger to just 4% of those 22 and older.
Difference by age. As students get older, they are more likely to report driving, and less likely to report walking, to campus.
