Building A Federal Student-Level Data Network (SLDN)

“Implementing a Student-Level Data Network: Advice from Experts,” shares the insights from a conversation with 15 experts from institutions, state systems, think tanks, and higher education associations. This brief outlines the data elements and definitional options needed to meet pending legislative requirements, maximize the quality and utility of the data, and minimize the burden on institutions. The postsecondary data elements fit in five categories: enrollment and completion; financial aid; demographics; post-completion outcomes; and institutional characteristics. The brief also highlights areas of postsecondary data infrastructure that need further investigation and identifies the most pressing near-term topics in order to provide NCES and the legislatively-mandated Advisory Committee a foundation from which to start.

Although the current federal postsecondary data landscape comprises high-quality data on a range of indicators, it has gaps that leave many important questions from policymakers, institutions, and students unanswered. During the previous two SLDN forums, panelists raised a number of issues related to potential financial aid variables in a student-level data network; these concerns led RTI and IHEP to engage financial aid professionals in May 2021 for the third forum. This brief captures the key points of that discussion for consideration by NCES. We do not draw conclusions or recommend solutions in this brief; our intention is to raise awareness about important issues that NCES and the SLDN designers will face if Congress mandates an SLDN.