The survey, conducted by a private research firm under contract to the National Center for Education Statistics, had as its purpose to provide national data about the use of part-time financial aid staff and counselors in higher education institutions. It was found that the use of part-time staff was widespread, occurring in 79 percent of undergraduate institutions (for about 10,000 part-time employees); however, only one of every three institutions used part-time counselors. These institutions used students hired under the College Work-Study Program (CWSP) more than they used other students or nonstudents as part-time employees. Four-year colleges and universities are more likely than two-year colleges to use part-time personnel. Almost half of the institutions planned to introduce or expand the use of part-time counselors, with the major increase planned for CWSP students. If current practices and plans are carried out, 60 percent of the institutions will be using part-time counselors. Part-time counselors' services were generally rated by their employers as adequate or very good, with nonstudents rated somewhat higher than students. The cost for salaries for nonstudents was reported as the greatest deterrent to their increased use; the greatest deterrent to the use of students was high turnover. (Authors/MSE)