The 1999–2000 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:2000) is a comprehensive nationwide study conducted by the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to determine how students and their families pay for postsecondary education. It also describes demographic and other characteristics of students enrolled. The study is based on a nationally representative sample of about 50,000 undergraduates enrolled at approximately 1,000 institutions. Students attending all types and levels of institutions are represented in the sample, including public and private institutions, less-than-2-year institutions, 2-year institutions, and 4-year colleges and universities. The study is designed to address the policy questions resulting from the rapid growth of financial aid programs and the succession of changes in financial aid program policies since 1986. The first NPSAS was conducted in 1986–87, then again in 1989–90, 1992–93, 1995–96, and 1999–2000.¹