College students fill out own census

TERRE HAUTE, Ind (WTHI) - Census forms will start to be delivered in mailboxes nationwide starting on March 15, 2010.

Parents who have children living away at college do not need to claim their child as a member of the household on the 2010 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau asks students who don't live with their parents full time to fill out their own census form. The U.S. Census Bureau treats students living in a dorm and off-campus housing as a household.

“Students are counted for the campus which they live because they spend approximately 10 months a year on those college campuses," Indiana State University Vice President of Marketing Tara Singer said.

Students will fill out one of two census questionnaires. Those who live off-campus will get the same 10-question form that traditional households gets. Students living in a dormitory, fraternity or sorority house will get a 7-question form.

"Our students will only be asked these questions as individuals," Singer said.

If students don't fill out the 2010 census it could affect how much money their college community gets from the federal government.

"Our students are users of services that are provided by the state and local government and therefore we want to account for the appropriate amount of individuals. So any funding decisions are made individuals will realize how many people live in a particular part of the community for certain parts of the year," Singer said.