Survey of Approaches to Educational Planning - 2020

Introduction (INT) - Question identifier:INT_R05

Why are we conducting this survey?

Statistics Canada is conducting this survey to gather information from parents and guardians about the strategies they use to prepare for their children's postsecondary education, their financial plans for paying for their schooling, and the barriers to saving for higher education.

This information will be used to inform research, policies and programs that help families plan and save for their children's education after high school.

Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

Although voluntary, your participation is important so that the information collected is as accurate and complete as possible.

Introduction (INT) - Question identifier:INT_R10

Authorization and confidentiality

Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Record linkages

To enhance the data from this survey and to reduce the reporting burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with information from the Labour Force Survey.

Statistics Canada may also combine the information you provide with other survey or administrative data sources.

Contact us if you have any questions or concerns about record linkage:

Email: infostats@canada.ca

Telephone: 1-877-949-9492

Mail:
Chief Statistician of Canada
Statistics Canada
Attention of Director, the Canadian Centre for Education Statistics
150 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0T6

Respondent information (RI) - Question identifier:RI_R01A

Why have you been selected?

You have been selected based on your participation in the Labour Force Survey. You will be asked questions about [First name of child] [Last name of child].

Respondent information (RI) - Question identifier:RI_R01B

This survey should be completed by a parent, guardian or person who is knowledgeable about [First name of child] and about any plans made for his postsecondary education. The next few questions are about you.

Respondent information (RI) - Question identifier:RI_R01C

This survey should be completed by a parent, guardian or person who is knowledgeable about [First name of child] and about any plans made for his postsecondary education.

If you are [First name of child], you can respond to this survey if you are living on your own, or living with a guardian who is unknowledgeable about you.

The next few questions are about you.

Respondent information (RI) - Question identifier:RI_Q01_01

What is your first and last name?
First name

Long Answer Length = 80

Respondent information (RI) - Question identifier:RI_Q01_02

What is your first and last name?
Last name

Long Answer Length = 80

Respondent information - Age (AGE) - Question identifier:AGE_Q01A

What is your date of birth?

• 1: Year

Respondent information - Age (AGE) - Question identifier:AGE_Q01B

What is your date of birth?
Month

• 01: January
• 02: February
• 03: March
• 04: April
• 05: May
• 06: June
• 07: July
• 08: August
• 09: September
• 10: October
• 11: November
• 12: December

Respondent information - Age (AGE) - Question identifier:AGE_Q01C

What is your date of birth?
Day

• 01: 1
• 02: 2
• 03: 3
• 04: 4
• 05: 5
• 06: 6
• 07: 7
• 08: 8
• 09: 9
• 10: 10
• 11: 11
• 12: 12
• 13: 13
• 14: 14
• 15: 15
• 16: 16
• 17: 17
• 18: 18
• 19: 19
• 20: 20
• 21: 21
• 22: 22
• 23: 23
• 24: 24
• 25: 25
• 26: 26
• 27: 27
• 28: 28
• 29: 29
• 30: 30
• 31: 31

Respondent information - Gender (GDR) - Question identifier:GDR_Q05

The following questions are about sex at birth and gender.
What was your sex at birth?

• 1: Male
• 2: Female

Respondent information - Gender (GDR) - Question identifier:GDR_Q10

What is your gender?

• 1: Male
• 2: Female
• 3: Or please specify

Respondent information - Gender (GDR) - Question identifier:GDR_R15

Please verify that all of the information is correct.

Your information:

Sex assigned at birth: [Male/Female/Information not provided]
Gender: [Male/Female/Information not provided]

Family background (FB) - Question identifier:FB_R01A

The following questions are general questions about [First name of child].

This survey was designed to have questions addressed to parents. If you are [First name of child], please attempt to answer the questions from your parents' or guardians' perspective.

Family background (FB) - Question identifier:FB_Q01

What is [First name of child]'s relationship to you?

• 1: Son or daughter (e.g., biological, adoptive, stepchild)
• 2: Foster child
• 3: Grandchild
• 4: Brother or sister
• 5: Other family member or relative
• 6: Unrelated

Family background (FB) - Question identifier:FB_Q05

Which of the following categories best describes the relationship of the parents or guardians in the household to [First name of child]?

Is it:

• 1: Two parents, biological or adoptive
• 2: One parent, without a partner
• 3: One parent, with a partner (Includes stepparents)

Family background (FB) - Question identifier:FB_Q10

Is there another parent who is involved in [First name of child]'s upbringing who does not live in this household?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Family background (FB) - Question identifier:FB_Q15

What is the highest certificate, diploma or degree that [First name of child]'s other parent has completed?

• 1: Less than high school diploma or its equivalent
• 2: High school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate
• 3: Trade certificate or diploma
• 4: College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (other than trades certificates or diplomas)
• 5: University certificate or diploma below the bachelor's level
• 6: Bachelor's degree (e.g., B.A., B.A. (Hons), B.Sc., B.Ed., LL.B.)
• 7: University certificate, diploma, degree above the bachelor's level

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_R01

The following questions are concerning [First name of child]'s school experiences.

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q01

Has [First name of child] attended school at any time since September 2019?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No
• 3: [First name of child] is too young to attend school

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q05

Has [First name of child] ever attended school?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q10

In what grade [was/is] [First name of child] [last/currently] enrolled?

• 01: Junior kindergarten
• 02: Senior kindergarten
• 03: Grade 1
• 04: Grade 2
• 05: Grade 3
• 06: Grade 4
• 07: Grade 5
• 08: Grade 6
• 09: Grade 7 or Secondary 1 (Quebec)
• 10: Grade 8 or Secondary 2 (Quebec)
• 11: Grade 9 or Secondary 3 (Quebec) or Senior 1 (Manitoba)
• 12: Grade 10 or Secondary 4 (Quebec) or Senior 2 (Manitoba)
• 13: Grade 11 or Secondary 5 (Quebec) or Senior 3 (Manitoba)
• 14: Grade 12 or Senior 4 (Manitoba)
• 15: Apprenticeship, technical institute, trade or vocational school (any year)
• 16: College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma (any year)
• 17: University certificate, diploma or degree (any year)
• 18: Other grade

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_R15

The following questions are about your hopes versus your expectations concerning how far [First name of child] will go in school.

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q15

How far do you hope that [First name of child] will go in school?

• 01: Primary school
• 02: Middle or junior high school
• 03: Secondary or high school
• 04: Learn a trade (e.g., apprenticeship, technical institute, trade or vocational school)
• 05: CEGEP
• 06: College
• 07: University
• 08: Private business school or private training institute
• 09: Any level of education above secondary or high school
• 10: Other

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q20

If you take into account [First name of child]'s skills and abilities, how far do you expect that he will go in school?

• 01: Primary school
• 02: Middle or junior high school
• 03: Secondary or high school
• 04: Learn a trade (e.g., apprenticeship, technical institute, trade or vocational school)
• 05: CEGEP
• 06: College
• 07: University
• 08: Private business school or private training institute
• 09: Any level of education above secondary or high school
• 10: Other

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q25

Based on your knowledge of [First name of child]'s schoolwork and report cards, please indicate in percentage how he is doing overall during this school year.

Would you say:

• 1: 90% - 100%
• 2: 80% - 89%
• 3: 70% - 79%
• 4: 60% - 69%
• 5: 50% - 59%
• 6: Below 50%

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q30

In the past year, how often have you (or your spouse or partner) talked with [First name of child] about his future education or career options?

Would you say:

• 1: Never
• 2: Once or twice
• 3: Once or twice a month
• 4: Once a week or more

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q35

In the past year, how often were these discussions on future education or career options initiated by you (or your spouse or partner)?

Would you say:

• 1: Never
• 2: Once or twice
• 3: Once or twice a month
• 4: Once a week or more

School experience (SE) - Question identifier:SE_Q40

In the past year, how often were these discussions on future education or career options initiated by [First name of child]?
Would you say:

• 1: Never
• 2: Once or twice
• 3: Once or twice a month
• 4: Once a week or more

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_R01

The following questions are about any financial plans for [First name of child] in the event that he continues on to postsecondary education.

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q01

Do you (or your spouse or partner) currently have savings set aside for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q05

Is [First name of child] aware of these savings?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No
• 9: DK

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q10

How old was [First name of child] when he first became aware of these savings?

Was he:

• 1: 0 to 4 years old
• 2: 5 to 9 years old
• 3: 10 to 14 years old
• 4: 15 to 17 years old

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q15

How often do you (or your spouse or partner) talk with [First name of child] about these savings?

Would you say:

• 1: Never
• 2: Once or twice a year
• 3: Several times a year
• 4: At least once a month

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q20

Do you (or your spouse or partner) expect to save at a later date for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No
• 9: DK

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q25

Does [First name of child] have a savings account in his name with a bank or other financial institution?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q30

Does [First name of child] contribute himself to savings for his future postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q35

Apart from savings, do you (or your spouse or partner) expect to help [First name of child] with the expenses associated with his postsecondary education in any of the following ways?
Such as:

• 1: Using income earned while you is enrolled in a postsecondary program (Include income earned from all sources such as employment, investment and pension.)
• 2: Using loans that you will take out
• 3: Using the sale of assets (e.g., real estate or valuables)
• 4: Providing free room and board at home or the use of a car
• 5: Helping to repay a student loan
• 6: Other ways
• 7: None of the above

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q40

Is there anyone else, other than you (or your spouse or partner), who has savings, who will save, or who will help pay for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial planning (FP) - Question identifier:FP_Q45

What is their relationship to [First name of child]?

Is it:

• 1: [First name of child]'s other parent or guardian
• 2: A grandparent
• 3: An uncle or aunt
• 4: A family friend
• 5: Other

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q01

The following questions are about any financial plans for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education

Before [First name of child] started his postsecondary education, did you (or your spouse or partner) have savings set aside for his postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q05

Was [First name of child] aware of these savings before starting his postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No
• 9: DK

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q10

How old was [First name of child] when he first became aware of these savings?

Was he:

• 1: 0 to 4 years old
• 2: 5 to 9 years old
• 3: 10 to 14 years old
• 4: 15 to 17 years old

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q15

Before [First name of child] started his postsecondary education, how often did you (or your spouse or partner) talk with him about these savings?
Would you say:

• 1: Never
• 2: Once or twice a year
• 3: Several times a year
• 4: At least once a month

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q20

Before [First name of child] started his postsecondary education, did he have a savings account in his name with a bank or other financial institution?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q25

Did [First name of child] contribute himself to savings for his postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q30

Apart from savings, [do/did] you (or your spouse or partner) help [First name of child] with the expenses associated with his postsecondary education in any of the following ways?

Such as:

• 1: Using income earned while you [is/was] enrolled in a postsecondary program (Include income earned from all sources such as employment, investment and pension.)
• 2: Using loans that you will take out
• 3: Using the sale of assets (e.g., real estate or valuables)
• 4: Providing free room and board at home or the use of a car
• 5: Helping to repay a student loan
• 6: Other ways
• 7: None of the above

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q35

Is there anyone else, other than you (or your spouse or partner), who had savings set aside for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Financial preparedness (FO) - Question identifier:FO_Q40

What is their relationship to [First name of child]?

Is it:

• 1: [First name of child]'s other parent or guardian
• 2: A grandparent
• 3: An uncle or aunt
• 4: A family friend
• 5: Other

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_R01_1

The following questions are about methods that parents use to save for their children's postsecondary education.

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01A

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
Bank accounts in the name of the child or in-trust accounts

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01B

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
RESPs

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01C

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
RRSPs

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01D

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
TFSAs

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01E

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
Mutual funds, investments or publicly traded stocks that are not in an RESP or RRSP

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01F

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
Other types of bank accounts, term deposits, Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) or savings bonds

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q01G

[Are/Were] you using any of the following methods to save for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education?
Other

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q03

Specify other savings methods that you [are/were] using.

Long Answer Length = 100

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q05

How old was [First name of child] when you (or your spouse or partner) started saving for him with an RESP?

• 01: Less than 1 year of age
• 02: 1
• 03: 2
• 04: 3
• 05: 4
• 06: 5
• 07: 6
• 08: 7
• 09: 8
• 10: 9
• 11: 10
• 12: 11
• 13: 12
• 14: 13
• 15: 14
• 16: 15
• 17: 16
• 18: 17
• 99: DK

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q10

With what type of financial institution [do/did] you have your RESP for [First name of child]?

[Is/Was] it:

• 1: A bank
• 2: A Credit Union or Caisse Populaire
• 3: A full service investment firm
• 4: An insurance company
• 5: A group scholarship foundation (Includes: Canadian Scholarship Trust, Knowledge First Financial (KFF), Inc., Universitas Trust Funds, Global RESP Corporation, Heritage Education Funds, and Children's Education Funds)
• 6: Other

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q15

To what extent [are/were] you satisfied with your RESP, including your RESP provider?
Would you say:

• 1: Very satisfied
• 2: Satisfied
• 3: Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
• 4: Dissatisfied
• 5: Very dissatisfied

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q20

Why [are/were] you dissatisfied with your RESP?

[Is/Was] it because:

• 1: The contract terms, conditions, or rules were not clearly disclosed
• 2: You were unable to make contributions as scheduled in the contract
• 3: The RESP provider made errors setting up the RESP or applying for government money
• 4: High fees or service costs
• 5: The rate of return on the RESP was not as high as expected
• 6: Other

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q25A

What was the value of [First name of child]'s RESP at the end of 2019?

Min = 0; Max = 999999

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q25B

What was the value of [First name of child]'s RESP at the end of 2019?

• 1: Started saving with an RESP for [First name of child] in 2020

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q30

What was the value of [First name of child]'s RESP at the end of 2019?

Was it:

• 1: Less than $1,000
• 2: $1,000 to less than $2,000
• 3: $2,000 to less than $3,000
• 4: $3,000 to less than $5,000
• 5: $5,000 to less than $10,000
• 6: $10,000 or more

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q35

Is this amount only intended for [First name of child]?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Parental savings (SS) - Question identifier:SS_Q40

Including [First name of child], how many beneficiaries are there for this RESP?

Min = 0; Max = 9

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_R01

The following questions are about RESPs and Government of Canada education savings incentives.

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q01

Are you aware of RESPs?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q05

Are you aware of the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q10

Are you aware of the Canada Learning Bond (CLB)?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q15

How did you learn about the [Canada Education Savings Grant/Canada Learning Bond/Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond]?

Was it from:

• 1: The Government of Canada (e.g., mail, website, social media)
• 2: Promotional materials from financial institutions
• 3: Events and information from community-based organizations
• 4: Information provided by schools
• 5: Word of mouth
• 6: Other

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q20

How old was [First name of child] when you first became aware of the [Canada Education Savings Grant/Canada Learning Bond/Canada Education Savings Grant and the Canada Learning Bond]?

Would you say:

• 1: Not born yet
• 2: 0 to 4 years old
• 3: 5 to 9 years old
• 4: 10 to 14 years old
• 5: 15 to 17 years old

Savings incentives (PA) - Question identifier:PA_Q25

You have indicated that you [have/had] savings but [are not using/did not use] an RESP. What are the reasons for not using an RESP?

Is it because:

• 01: RESPs are too complicated
• 02: Expected returns on an RESP are not sufficient
• 03: Other methods are preferable (e.g., savings account, trust fund, mutual funds, GICs)
• 04: Risk of losing earnings if child does not attend postsecondary education
• 05: Lack of flexibility (e.g., cannot withdraw money for other needs, contribution requirements too rigid)
• 06: Do not have the required documents (e.g., SIN, birth certificate for child)
• 07: Expecting to open an RESP later
• 08: Child ineligible for an RESP, CESG or CLB
• 09: Heard that others had a bad experience with their RESP
• 10: Other

No savings (NS) - Question identifier:NS_Q01

Understandably, there are many reasons why parents [do not/have not started to] save for their child's postsecondary education. What are the reasons that apply in your situation?

Is it because:

• 01: You will pay or help pay when the time comes (Exclude paying with savings.)
• 02: [First name of child] will pay with your own savings or take out loans
• 03: [First name of child] will use savings or income from others
• 04: The cost of [First name of child]'s postsecondary education is already covered
• 05: Parents do not have an obligation to pay for their children's education
• 06: Postsecondary education is not important
• 07: Don't have enough money (e.g., no disposable or extra income)
• 08: Have other priorities (e.g., prefer to pay down debt or to save for other purposes)
• 09: It is too early to start saving; child is too young
• 10: Don't have enough financial knowledge
• 11: Don't have access to financial institutions
• 12: Other
• 99: DK

No savings (NS) - Question identifier:NS_Q05

You stated earlier that you are planning to start saving for [First name of child]'s postsecondary education at a later date. Will you use an RESP?

• 1: Yes
• 2: No

No savings (NS) - Question identifier:NS_Q10

What are the reasons why you will not use an RESP?

Is it because:

• 01: RESPs are too complicated
• 02: Expected returns on an RESP are not sufficient
• 03: Other methods are preferable (e.g., savings account, trust fund, mutual funds, GICs)
• 04: Risk of losing earnings if child does not attend postsecondary education
• 05: Lack of flexibility (e.g., cannot withdraw money for other needs, contribution requirements too rigid)
• 06: Do not have the required documents (e.g., SIN, birth certificate for child)
• 07: Child ineligible for an RESP, CESG or CLB
• 08: Heard that others had a bad experience with their RESP
• 09: Other

Total household income (THI) - Question identifier:THI_R01

Now a question about total household income.

Total household income (THI) - Question identifier:THI_Q01

What is your best estimate of the total household income received by all household members, from all sources, before taxes and deductions, during the year ending December 31, 2019?

Min = -9999999; Max = 9999999

Total household income (THI) - Question identifier:THI_Q02A

What was the total household income during the year ending December 31, 2019?

Was it:

• 1: Less than $50,000, including income loss
• 2: More than $50,000, including income loss

Total household income (THI) - Question identifier:THI_Q02B

What was the total household income during the year ending December 31, 2019?

Was it:

• 1: Less than $5,000
• 2: $5,000 to less than $10,000
• 3: $10,000 to less than $15,000
• 4: $15,000 to less than $20,000
• 5: $20,000 to less than $30,000
• 6: $30,000 to less than $40,000
• 7: $40,000 to less than $50,000

Total household income (THI) - Question identifier:THI_Q02C

What was the total household income during the year ending December 31, 2019?

Was it:

• 1: $50,000 to less than $60,000
• 2: $60,000 to less than $70,000
• 3: $70,000 to less than $80,000
• 4: $80,000 to less than $90,000
• 5: $90,000 to less than $100,000
• 6: $100,000 to less than $150,000
• 7: $150,000 and over