STUDENT CREDIT CARD SURVEY 2002

A project sponsored by the Center for Student Affairs Research (CSAR)

Instructions to Respondents: The main objective of the survey is to examine issues related to credit card use among students in Oklahoma. The results of the survey will guide strategies and policies for resolving and promoting appropriate use of credit cards. The information you provide will be sent anonymously to the Center for Student Affairs Research (not to any governmental, institutional, or other entities) and will be reported on an aggregate basis to ensure the strictest confidentiality. This survey contains only 20 questions, which should take no more than 25 minutes to complete. Your honest answers are key to the success of this study. Please take the time to complete this very important survey. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you may stop at any time during the survey.

1. Name of college or university you are currently attending:

2. Age:
3. Gender:
Male
Female

4. Marital Status

Single
Married
Divorced/Separated
Widowed

5. Based on your earned credit hours, what is your current student classification?

Freshman (1-30)
Sophomore (31-60)
Junior (61-90)
Senior (90 & above)
Other:

6. What degree are you working toward at the college or university you are currently attending?

Associate
Bachelor's
Master's (MA or MS)
First-Professional (MBA, MD, JD)
Doctoral
Other:

7. What is your ethnic background?

White
Black
Hispanic
Asian-American/Pacific Islander
Native American
Multi-Ethnic
Non-US Citizen or Non-Permanent Resident


8. What is your current college cumulative grade-point average, or if this is your first semester, what is the grade-point-average you are expecting to earn at the end of the semester?

On a 4-point scale:

Dependent/Independent Status
Your dependent/independent status is determined by the filing of last year’s income tax return. You are a dependent if your parents or legal guardians claimed you on their income tax return.

9a. If you are a dependent, what was the approximate combined annual gross income (before taxes) of your parents or legal guardians last year?

Less than $25,000
$25,000-$50,000

$51,000-$75,000

$76,000-$100,000

Above $100,000

9b. If you are an independent, what was your annual gross income (before taxes) last year?

Less than $15,000
$15,000-$25,000

$26,000-$35,000

$36,000-$45,000

$46,000-$55,000

Above $55,000

Financial Debts
10. What percent of your total debt is represented by the following categories? Please write the percent (%) under each.

Credit cards
Student loans
Automobile loans
Home mortgage loans
Bank loans
Other
Credit Card Information
How many credit cards or accounts do you currently have? Please indicate the number of cards you have under each type and approximate amount you owe.

(Note: If you do not have a credit card issued in your name or if you do not use a credit card, you should end the survey now.)

11a. How many cards do you under each category?
Major (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diner's Club)
Departmental/Retail Stores (Dillard's, Foley)
Oil companies (Texaco, Shell, Amoco, Conoco)
Revolving lines of credit with bank
Other
11b. How is the current balance on your accounts?
Major (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diner's Club)
Departmental/Retail Stores (Dillard's, Foley)
Oil companies (Texaco, Shell, Amoco, Conoco)
Revolving lines of credit with bank
Other
12. Do you know what the average interest rate is on your major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and Diner’s Club)?

Interest Rate (APR):
13. When did you get your first credit card?
Before college
First or second year of college
Third or subsequent years of college
Graduate school

14. To what extent did the following factors influence your decision in getting your first and subsequent credit cards?

  little or 
none
moderate lots NA
Credit card marketers on campus (sidewalks, student union, bookstore)
Credit card marketers off campus (mall, grocery stores, etc.)
Solicitations from fellow students on campus who are working for credit card companies
Solicitations from your college or university offering alumni/affinity cards
Incentives for signing up (e.g., water bottle, discounted airline ticket)
Solicitations from your own bank and/or credit union
Pre-approved credit card solicitations through mail
General solicitations through mail
General solicitations through email
TV advertisements

15. What requirements were usually necessary for you to get your credit cards?
  yes no don't 
know
Proof of your independent income
Proof of your ability to pay back the debt
Information about your estimated graduation date
Information about your major or program of study
Information about your expected salary
A secured deposit
Proof that you are a full-time student
Signature of a parent or guardian
Signature of a co-signer
None (it was pre-approved)

16. In the last academic year, how did you usually handle your credit card balances each month?
Paid them in full
Paid more than the minimum
Paid the minimum only
Behind on payments

Understanding or Knowledge of Credit Card Use


17. Please rate your level of understanding or knowledge about the following issues related to credit card usage.
  little or 
none
moderate extensive NA
The implications and consequences of misusing credit cards (such as a bad credit record or bankruptcy)
How much your debt will ultimately cost you
The impact of varying interest rates on your debt payments
The implications of making just the minimum payment on your credit cards
The differences in interest rates charged on your credit cards and those of your federal student loans
How to manage your credit card debt
The pros and cons of credit card debt versus other forms of debt

Potential Impact of Credit Card Use
18. To what extent has your credit card debt affected your

  little or 
none
moderate extensive NA
concentration on academic work?
participation in extracurricular activities?
socialization patterns on campus?
sense of priority about academic work?
decision to remain in school?
decision to change area of study or major in anticipation of a higher salary after graduation in order to pay debt?
decision to reduce course load and get a job to pay debt?
other.
19. To what extent did your participation in the following activities help you to understand financial responsibility, debt management, and issues related to credit card use?
    little or 
none
moderate extensive NA
Entry counseling requirements (such as a personal interview, watching a video) before getting student loan money
Orientation programs
Freshman seminars or gateway-type classes
Campus workshops or seminars dealing with financial management
Off-campus workshops or seminars dealing with financial management
20. Please rate your level of agreement with the following statements.
   strongly
disagree
disagree agree strongly
agree
NA
I am currently managing my credit card debt well
Even though I have incurred a credit card debt, I feel I am spending money responsibly
When I decide to incur more credit card debt, I usually consider my expected salary after graduation
I am successful at living within my budget each month
I am constantly seeking new ways to reduce my credit card debts
I am personally responsible for my credit card debt
My credit card debt is due to my college or university increasing the cost of attending
My credit card debt is due to the inadequate federal financial aid to cover all educational and living expenses
When my credit cards have reached their limits, I usually apply for more
I have or would use my student loans to pay on my credit card debt
My attitudes about credit card use have changed from when I first got my credit cards to the current moment
I am in favor of a policy prohibiting the use of credit cards as payment for tuition and fees
I am in favor of a policy curtailing the number of aggressive credit card marketers on campus
I would like to see more stringent requirements imposed on credit card applicants by credit card companies
I feel my college or university can do more to educate students about credit card use and misuse
I would attend a workshop dealing with the implications and ramifications of credit card debt
I would participate in a workshop which deals with personal financial management and responsibilities


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