Every 10 years, the United States counts everyone living in the country, including college students. Your response to the 2020 Census will help impact funding for programs like Pell Grants and health care services
In general, students in colleges and universities temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 virus will still be counted as part of this process. Even if they are home on census day, April 1, they should be counted according to the residence criteria which states they should be counted where they live and sleep most of the time.
Per the Census Bureau’s residence criteria, students living away from home at school should be counted at school, even if they are temporarily elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information visit: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020/modifying-2020-operations-for-counting-college-students.html
Video Guide to the 2020 Census
If you live off campus and away from your family:
If you live in campus/university housing:
If you live with your family:
To get help filling out the census visit https://libguides.mnsu.edu/ask or contact:
Evan Rusch: 507-389-2460; evan.rusch@mnsu.edu
Monika Antonelli: 507-389-2507; monika.antonelli@mnsu.edu
Between March 12-March 20, most households will receive in the mail an invitation to participate along with information on how to respond online or by phone. Households in areas less likely to respond online may also receive paper questionnaires at this time, along with an invitation to respond online or by phone.
If you have not responded, periodic reminders will be mailed until April 3.
If you have still not responded, a reminder and paper questionnaire will be delivered by mail between April 8-April 16.
Final reminders will be mailed between April 20-April 27. After that, the Census Bureau will follow up in person.
Note that there is NOT a question about citizenship.
The individual filling out the form ("Person 1") will be asked:
Questions about additional people in the household are: