Can scholarships provide equitable access to high-quality university education? Evidence from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

Publication date: November 2019Source: International Journal of Educational Development, Volume 71Author(s): Clemencia Cosentino, Jane Fortson, Sarah Liuzzi, Anthony Harris, Randall BlairAbstractThis paper estimates the impact of a scholarship program—the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program—on access to university. Using propensity score matching, the analysis finds that the Program improves access to high-quality university studies among vulnerable, disadvantaged youth, mostly from Africa—increasing timely access to university, to higher levels of study, and to studies abroad. Half of scholarship recipients studying abroad return to Africa and a third pursue graduate studies within 18 months of graduation. The Program’s collaborative approach holds promise for scaling up this and similar efforts to increase university participation among youth in African and other nations.
Source: International Journal of Educational Development - Category: Child Development Source Type: research