IC-Header

NOTE: IC Header merged with the Institutional Characteristics survey in the 2024-25 cycle 

Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.

The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a confirmation, if nothing has changed. Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).

Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!

Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.

Workflow - IC Header


Reporting Documentation

Submission YearReporting CriteriaCommentsType

2024-25NOTE: IC Header merged with the Institutional Characteristics survey in the 2024-25 cycle 
Change 

2023-24

Changes to the IPEDS Data Collection: 2023-24.

There is a new screening question, along with additional guidance, to determine E12 reporting for dual enrolled students.

Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Dual enrollment 5.

Does your institution enroll high school students in college courses for credit? Yes. Within a dual enrollment program. Outside a dual enrollment program. No Note: Within a dual enrollment program is defined as within an organized system with special guidelines that allows high school students to take college-level courses. The guidelines might have to do with entrance or eligibility requirements, funding, limits on course taking, etc. Outside a dual enrollment program is defined as high school students who simply enroll in credit courses through your institution, and are treated as regularly enrolled college students.

New FAQ 

Should incarcerated students be included in reporting?

Include all students enrolled for credit even if enrolled at off-campus locations (e.g., federal or state penal institution). This includes, but is not
limited to, students enrolled for credit in a recognized prison education program (PEP) 

Updated FAQ

Should my institution, which is participating as an U.S. Department of Education experimental site include experimental site participants in IPEDS reporting?

No, exclude experimental site participants from reporting.


Change 

2022-23 The following changes have been made for 2022-23: The Mission Statement Question from Institutional Characteristics has been moved to the IC Header. Subsequent questions in Part B have been renumbered. Part A Question 1 has been clarified to show it is a screening question for applicability and should only include for-credit activities; added remedial education. Added informational question regarding noncredit education in Part C. 
Change

2022-23 Data Reporting Reminder: Report data to accurately reflect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prior year reporting. 
Reminder 

2021-22 There are no changes to the IC Header for 2021-22 No Change

2021-22Report data to accurately reflect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prior-year reporting. For example, if a summer term began later tan the usual date due to Coronavirus Pandemic postponements , continue to report using the timeframes as defined in the IPEDS instructions. NCES expects that some data reported during the 2021-22 data collection year will vary for established prior trends due to the impacts of Coronavirus Pandemic. If an error edit is triggered even when submitting accurate data, please indicate in the corresponding context box or verbally to the Help Desk that the seemingly inconsistent data are accurate and reflect the effects of Coronavirus Pandemic.  
Reminder 

Related pages