2026 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Incentives offered for the 2026 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) include:

• $5.00 added to student WatCards (within three to four weeks of survey submission), and
• be eligible to win a W Store prize packs (approximate retail value of each prize pack is $255)
  • For first-years: chance to win one (1) of three (3) first-year W Store prize packs, each consisting of one (1) $180 gift card + one (1) plush goose + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti OR 
  • For graduating years: chance to win one (1) of three (3) graduating year W Store prize packs, each consisting of one (1) $50 gift card + one (1) contemporary diploma frame + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti (“Prize”).

2026 NSSE Survey | $5 Watcard Incentive Rules

University of Waterloo first-year undergraduate students (who were registered in a bachelor's degree program in fall 2025 at the time the invitation list was generated) and graduating (final year) students (who were registered in a bachelor's degree program in fall 2025 and are eligible to graduate in spring 2026 at the time the invitation list was generated), who received a NSSE 2026 email or LEARN invitation/reminder and submit their survey responses by April 6, 2026 will receive $5.00 added to their student WatCards (within three to four weeks of survey submission).

Only those who received a survey invitation can participate. Those who choose not to participate in the survey, you will not be eligible for the $5 WatCard incentive.

2026 NSSE Survey | Draw Prize Official Contest Rules ("Contest Rules")

1. Sponsor. The 2026 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Survey Contest (“Contest”) is sponsored by the University of Waterloo, Institutional Analysis & Planning (IAP), located at 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 (“Sponsor”).
2. Eligibility. This Contest is open to University of Waterloo fall 2025 first-year and graduating year undergraduates who are legal residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, and international students actively registered with the University of Waterloo and physically present in Canada (excluding Quebec) under a valid study permit, who are at least 13 years of age at the time of entry. In the case of individuals between the age of 13 and the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, such individual's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must consent to these Contest Rules and their child's entry in the Contest. By participating in this Contest, entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, acknowledge compliance with, and agree to be bound by, these Contest Rules. Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, who do not comply with any of the Contest Rules are subject to disqualification by the Sponsor, at the Sponsor’s sole discretion.
3. Contest Dates and Times. The Contest begins on March 2, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. EST and ends on April 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST (“Contest End Date”) after which time the Contest will be closed and no further entries will be accepted.
4. How to Enter. Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, can enter by completing the 2026 NSSE Survey sent to them by invitation or posted on LEARN. For this Contest, receipt of an internet entry occurs when the Sponsor’s internet server records the entry information. All entries must be complete and are subject to verification by the Sponsor, in its sole discretion. There is a limit of (one) 1 entry, per person as represented by one (1) Student ID for which they are the owner.
   • Alternatively, to obtain one (1) Entry in the Contest without completing the 2026 NSSE Survey sent to them by invitation or posted on LEARN, print your first name, last name, complete mailing address (including postal code), valid email address, age and signature on a plain white piece of paper and mail it (in an envelope with sufficient Canadian postage) along with a 25 word or more unique and original essay on why you want to enter the Contest to: Attn: Rohem Adagbon, Institutional Analysis and Planning (IAP), EC 4008H 201 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1 (a “Request”). Upon receipt of a valid Request in accordance with these Contest Rules, you will be eligible to receive one (1) Entry in the Contest. To be eligible, your Request must: (i) be received separately in an envelope bearing sufficient Canadian postage (i.e., multiple Requests in the same envelope will be void); and (ii) be post-marked during the Contest Period and received prior to the Selection Date (defined below). The Sponsor takes no responsibility for any lost, stolen, delayed, illegible, damaged, misdirected, late or destroyed Requests.
   • Any attempt or suspected attempt to use robotic, automatic, programmed or otherwise illicit means to enter the Contest, or any other methods not authorized by these Contest Rules, for example, but not limited to, creating multiple accounts, identities, or registrations, all in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, shall be deemed as tampering and may disqualify you from entering, practicing and/or winning a Prize. Entries that contain false or incomplete information are void. Entries that are late, lost, stolen, illegible, contain false information, are damaged, miscredited, mutilated, garbled or incomplete, altered or otherwise irregular or that do not conform with or satisfy any or all of the conditions of the Contest Rules are void. Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, grant the Sponsor a non-exclusive license to use all entries for any purpose. No correspondence will be entered into except with Selected Entrants, as defined below. Proof of Transmission (for example, screenshots or captures) does not constitute proof of entry or receipt of an entry.
5. Contest Prizes. There is a total of six (6) prizes available to be won, each consisting of one (1) of three (3) First-year W Store prize packs worth approx. $255/pack and includes one (1) $180 gift card + one (1) plush goose + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti. One (1) of three (3) Graduating year W Store prize packs worth approximately $255/pack includes one (1) $50 gift card + one (1) contemporary diploma frame + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti (“Prize”).
   • All winners, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, assume any and all liability for any injury or damage caused, or claimed to be caused, by entering, participating in this Contest or the use or redemption of a Prize. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, and it is understood and acknowledged that they have no cash value. Prizes or any portion of a Prize cannot be combined with other discounts, promotions, or special offers. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any Prize in whole or in part in the event that all or any component of such Prize is unavailable with a Prize or Prize component(s) of equal or greater retail value, including, without limitation, but solely at the Sponsor’s sole discretion, a cash award. All characteristics and features of the Prize, except as otherwise explicitly stated above, are at the Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. The Prize winner is solely responsible for all costs not expressly described herein. Prepaid cards are subject to all of the terms and conditions as stated by the issuer.
6. Odds of Winning. It is understood and acknowledged that the odds of winning are unfixed and wholly dependent on the number of eligible entries received before the Contest End Date.
7. Skill-testing Question. Selected Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, will be required, as a condition of winning a Prize, to correctly answer, without assistance of any kind, the Sponsor’s time-limited, mathematical skill-testing question to be administered by email.
8. Winner Selection and Confirmation. On April 9, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EST at 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1 (“Draw Date”) the Sponsor, or an employee, agent or other representative of the Sponsor, will conduct a random draw from all eligible entries received before the Contest End Date and select the potential winners (“Selected Entrants”). Selected Entrants will be deemed winners if they meet all of the eligibility criteria set out in these Contest Rules. If a Selected Entrant does not meet the eligibility criteria, they will be disqualified and will not receive a Prize and another entrant will be selected by way of a random draw from the remaining eligible entries. Before being declared a winner, Selected Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, will be required to: (i) correctly answer the Sponsor’s skill-testing question; (ii) sign and return the Sponsor’s Winner Declaration and Release Form (“Winner Release”); and (iii) comply with all other Contest Rules, all in the sole discretion of Sponsor.
   • Selected Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, will be notified within (three) 3 business days of the Draw Date and will be contacted by the email address provided at the time of entry into the Contest. Up to three (3) attempts will be made to contact Selected Entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, within (five) 5 business days following the Draw Date. A Selected Entrant, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, that does not or cannot accept a Prize may be forfeited and a new Selected Entrant will be selected by random draw, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion. A signed copy of the Sponsor’s Winner Release must be received by the Sponsor no later than April 30, 2026. The Sponsor is not responsible for the failure for any reason whatsoever of a Selected Entrant, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, to receive notification or for the Sponsor to receive a Selected Entrant’s, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, response.
   • Disputes regarding the identity of an entrant: If the identity of a Selected Entrant is disputed, the entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the individual assigned to the email address entered at the time of entry (“Authorized Account Holder”). Each Selected Entrant, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, may be required to provide proof that they are the Authorized Account Holder associated with a selected entry.
9. Release and Indemnification. All winners, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, must sign the Sponsor’s Winner Release to: (i) confirm compliance with all Contest Rules; (ii) agree to accept Prizes as awarded; (iii) release, discharge and hold harmless the Sponsor, its departments and agencies, parent, related and affiliated companies, subsidiaries, franchisees, advertising and promotional agencies, counsel, marketing partners, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, successors, sponsors, partners, licensees, subsidiaries, agents, artists, advisors, assignees, and all others associated with the administration, development and execution of the Contest (“Released Parties”) from and against any and all manner of action, cause of action, claim or demand, loss or injury, use or misuse of a Prize or any travel related thereto, and the use of entries by the Sponsor, suit, debt, covenant, contract, including legal fees and expenses, whatsoever, including but not limited to, claims based on negligence, breach of contract and fundamental breach, failure of any third-party contractor or supplier used in connection with any aspect of the Contest to perform or deliver any goods or services, any act of God or any other event beyond the Released Parties’ control, any dissatisfaction of any kind by a winner, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, with any aspect of the Contest or any Prize, liability for physical injury, death, or property damage which the entrants, guests, their heirs, successors or assigns have, might have or could have suffered, by reason of or arising out of the entrant’s, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, participation in the Contest and/or in connection with the acceptance and/or exercise by the entrant, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, of Prizes as awarded; and (iv) indemnify the Released Parties against any loss, damage or expense, including legal fees, that any of the Released Parties may suffer or incur as a result of any non-compliance by entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, with any of the Contest Rules or participation in the Contest and/or in connection with the acceptance and/or exercise by an entrant, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, of a Prize, and the use of entries by the Sponsor.
   • The Sponsor is not responsible for: (i) incorrect or inaccurate entry information that may affect a person’s ability to participate in the Contest or be awarded a Prize, including but not limited to human error, technical malfunctions, lost or delayed entries for any reason, mail failures, omission, or any combination thereof, and entries that fail to fully comply with these Contest Rules; (ii) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone lines or network hardware or software; (iii) lost, incomplete, delayed, mutilated or misdirected entries or Winner Releases; (iv) injury or damage to entrant’s, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, computers or to any other individual’s computer related to or resulting from participating in, or downloading any material regarding the Contest or accepting a Prize; (v) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any Prize, including any related travel and the use of entries by Sponsor; (vi) the security or privacy of information transmitted via computer networks or for breaches of privacy due to interference by third-party computer hackers or otherwise; or (vii) late, lost, misdirect, or unsuccessful efforts to notify a potential winner.
10. Primacy of the Contest Rules. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the terms and conditions of these Contest Rules and disclosures or other statements contained in any Contest-related materials, including, but not limited to, any instructions or interpretations of these Contest Rules given by any representative of the Sponsor, the terms and conditions of these Contest Rules shall prevail, govern and control to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Contest Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Contest Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with the terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.
12. Other Conditions. The Sponsor reserves the right to terminate or amend this Contest at any time and in any way, without prior notice to entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable. Without limiting the foregoing, if, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as originally planned for any reason, the Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Contest and conduct a random draw from all previously received eligible entries received by the Contest End Date.
13. Publicity and Entrant Information. With the exception of the entrants’, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, personal information, which is subject to applicable privacy laws and the Sponsor’s privacy policy, by participating in the Contest, entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, consent to the use of the entrant’s name, social media handle(s), comments, and image or other likeness, whether on videotape, photograph or any other means, for the administration of the Contest or any publicity carried out by the Sponsor, any co-sponsors, their respective parent and affiliate companies, their agents and representatives, and marketing partners, without further notice than that contained herein or any compensation.
14. Law. The Contest is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable Canadian federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and local laws. This Contest shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the province of Ontario, and the laws of Canada applicable therein, including all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Contest Rules, rights and obligations between entrants, or their parent(s) or legal guardian(s), as applicable, and the Sponsor, and procedural provisions, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law. Any dispute shall be adjudicated by the courts sitting in Waterloo, Ontario.
15. Rule Amendments. The Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or modify these Contest Rules, or modify, cancel, or suspend this Contest, without prior notice for any reason whatsoever, without limitation in the event that any cause beyond the reasonable control of the Sponsor corrupts, or threatens to corrupt, the security or proper administration of the Contest.
16. Intellectual Property. All intellectual property, including but not limited to trademarks, logos, designs, promotional materials, web pages, source codes, images, drawings, illustrations, slogans, and representations are owned by the Sponsor. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized copying or use of any of the Sponsor’s intellectual property without the express written consent of the Sponsor is strictly prohibited.
17. Use of Personal Information. By entering this Contest, each entrant expressly consents to the Sponsor, its agents and/or representatives, collection, use, storing and sharing the personal information submitted for the purpose of administering the Contest under the authority of the University of Waterloo Act, 1972 and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. F. 31 as amended, as well as in compliance with the Sponsor’s policies (e.g. Policy 46) and guidelines. This section does not limit any other consent(s) that an individual may provide the Sponsor or others in relation to the collection, use and/or disclosure of their personal information. Personal Information will be used for Contest Sponsor(s) marketing purposes with the entrant’s consent. Entrants acknowledge that questions regarding the processing of personal information associated with this Contest are to be directed to analysis@uwaterloo.ca.

© UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO 2026. All Rights Reserved.

What is NSSE?

NSSE stands for the National Survey of Student Engagement and is pronounced “Nessie”. It is a widely recognised tool used to measure how engaged students are in their academic and other educationally purposeful activities, as well as the extent to which the University facilitates such involvement. Survey items represent empirically confirmed "good practices" in undergraduate education. These practices reflect behaviours by students and institutions that are associated with effective learning and overall educational success.

NSSE is conducted by the Indiana University Survey Research Centre. About 1,500 universities and colleges since 2013, 90 of which are Canadian.

How often is the survey run?

NSSE is administered every three years. Waterloo has participated in the survey since 2004. The last survey was administered in 2023, achieving an overall response rate of 41%.

What questions are asked in NSSE?

NSSE survey covers a range of topics, including, but not limited to:

• level of student engagement in academics and extra-curricular activities
• student learning strategies
• Quality of educational experiences and faculty teaching practices
• interactions with key people at the institution
• academic advising
• overall perception and satisfaction with the institution's learning environment
• skills growth and development

When does the survey take place?

The 2026 NSSE survey is available from March 2 to April 6, 2026.

Who can participate in the survey?

University of Waterloo undergraduates who, at the time the invitation list was generated/updated, were

• were first-year students registered in a degree program in fall 2025
• were graduating (final year) students registered in a degree program in fall 2025 and are eligible to graduate in the spring 2026 term, and
• received a NSSE 2026 email or LEARN invitation.

How can students participate?

Students can participate in two ways:

1. via Invitation and reminder emails from "NSSE (on behalf of the University of Waterloo) <nsse@nssesurvey.org>" sent to student @uwaterloo email accounts. Follow the unique survey link in the email.
2. via LEARN - Log into LEARN and look for the course entitled "NSSE Student Survey" or the “Participate in 2026 NSSE & get $5 + a chance to win a W Store prize pack” announcements. Follow the survey link.

Why should students participate in the survey?

This is an opportunity for students to share their student experience at Waterloo. Survey results help the University of Waterloo identify areas of the undergraduate student experience that have gone well and areas for improvement for current and future students. Survey results have been included in the UWaterloo Strategic Plan, academic program/department reviews, and other quality assurance projects.

How long does the survey take?

Approximately 15–25 minutes to complete in one sitting.

What do I get for participating (Incentives and prizes)?

All students who submit their NSSE 2026 survey responses by April 6, 2026 will:

• receive $5.00 added to WatCard (within three to four weeks of survey submission), and
• be eligible to win a W Store prize packs (approximate retail value of each prize pack is $255)
  • For first-years: chance to win one (1) of three (3) first-year W Store prize packs, each consisting of one (1) $180 gift card + one (1) plush goose + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti OR 
  • For graduating years (final years): chance to win one (1) of three (3) graduating year W Store prize packs, each consisting of one (1) $50 gift card + one (1) contemporary diploma frame + one (1) UWaterloo Yeti (“Prize”).

See Incentive and Official Contest Rules for details.

I would like to participate, but I didn’t receive an invitation.

Survey links were generated for fall 2025 first-year and graduating undergraduates as described in the Who can participate section above. Regrettably, only those who were included in the original invitation list and received a NSSE invitation can participate in the survey. Students interested in sharing their experience can send their feedback to analysis@uwaterloo.ca or submit their feedback through the anonymous Student Experience Feedback Form.

I’ve completed the survey. When do I get my $5?

Students who submit their 2026 NSSE Student Survey responses will receive $5 added to their student WatCard within three to four weeks of survey submission.

When will the results be available?

Fall 2026/winter 2027.

Where and how will the results be displayed?

Key aggregated or summarized NSSE survey results are available on the Institutional Analysis & Planning (IAP) NSSE survey webpage or by special request via the IAP survey request form. No individual student will be identified.

How are the results used?

Survey results are used to evaluate and improve academic programs, services, and other aspects of the university experience.

Will my responses be kept confidential?

Participation is voluntary and confidential. Only authorized staff tasked with analyzing and interpreting the results, and who have signed a data sharing and confidentiality agreement meant to ensure secure and appropriate handling of data, will have access to the survey data. All data collected will only be reported in aggregate and will remain confidential. Results will be stored for a period of 15 years or until superseded or obsolete, in a secure, encrypted, password or key protected location.

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is being administered by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research on behalf of the University of Waterloo.  The purpose of the survey is to obtain information about undergraduate students' experience and engagement in academic and extra-curricular activities at their university.

University of Waterloo Information, Privacy and Record Retention

The University of Waterloo is committed to respecting the privacy of respondents to this survey.  All personal information is collected under the authority of the University of Waterloo Act (1972) and will be processed in compliance with Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as well as the University of Waterloo’s Information and Privacy policies. 

Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of information associated with this survey should be directed to analysis@uwaterloo.ca. Questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information by the university, should be directed to the Privacy Officer at fippa@uwaterloo.ca.

The collected data and reports will be managed according to the University records classification scheme, WatClass, and will be securely destroyed when no longer needed by the University.

Use of Personal Information: Contact information (Name, email, and Watcard ID) will be used to administer the watcard and Contest prizes. This data will be stored separately from survey responses and deleted once the Contest is complete, and Prizes have been distributed. If you are not participating in the survey, by entering the Contest and voluntarily providing personal information including name, e-mail and student ID, you are granting us permission to collect and use the information for Contest administration and to select the Prize winners. See full Contest Rules below for more information.

Your non-identifying survey responses may be linked to demographics metrics (such as your year of study or last school country, citizenship, and status in Canada), academic plan information (such as your program and faculty), and academic record (cumulative average), and will be used for evaluation, and/or research purposes only to help improve our programs and services. Results will be reported in aggregate only, ensuring that no individual student can be identified.

• For general NSSE or FSSE survey enquiries at UWaterloo, please contact analysis@uwaterloo.ca.
• For help with logging into the survey or to find answers to a variety of other questions, please contact NSSE
• For If you wish to provide anonymous feedback about your UWaterloo experience, please complete the anonymous Student Experience Feedback Form.