Calling all college students! You just got back from spring break and the last thing you want to do is fill out a boring census questionnaire, right? Besides, you live on campus, your parents live in a different state or county, you plan to move after college and you figure you’re counted on your parents questionnaire anyway…right?

Well, this year the U.S. Census Bureau is making a concerted effort to obtain a more accurate count of existing college students. Why? So your school can receive its share of political representation, government funding, tuition grants and loan programs, which directly affect you.

Census figures also help establish fair-market rents (for off-campus housing), ensure proper and fair-lending practices (for student loans) and influence decisions about where to locate new stores, restaurants, offices, health-care facilities and other businesses (near campus!). By filling out the census, you will also help your school’s local community get funding to support services like public transportation and recreational programs. Sounds good, right? So what are you waiting for? We decided to dispel a few myths and help get you motivated…

Census Myth #1

As a college student, I can be counted on my parent’s questionnaire.

The census counts people where they live and sleep throughout most of the year. Parents should not include college students on their forms. Residence halls, dorms, fraternities and sororities are considered “group quarters” by the census bureau. Many campuses will make arrangements to deliver individual questionnaires to students living in those facilities. Students who live in off-campus apartments and rooms will receive a census form in the mail.

Census Myth #2

As an international student, I should not fill out a U.S. Census questionnaire.

The census is a count of everyone living in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Even though the state or county of your school might not be your voting residence, legal residence or permanent residence, all students living within the U.S. should be counted. However, U.S. students living and studying abroad on April 1 should not be counted.

Census Myth #3

Local taxes will go down if I don’t fill out the census.

Local taxes will not necessarily change if you don’t fill out your census form. However, government funding may be diverted to a different community.

So, get counted! Census information is private and confidential and cannot be used for any other purpose or shared with federal, state or local agencies. More information also is available from the Census Bureau’s by calling (800) 923-8282 or visiting http://2010.census.gov/.

It takes only a few minutes to comply! Most forms, the “short” forms, ask only seven questions. Besides, We Can’t Move Forward Until You Mail It Back.