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

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  • Cosentino, Clemencia
  • Fortson, Jane
  • Liuzzi, Sarah
  • Harris, Anthony
  • Blair, Randall

Abstract

This 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.

Suggested Citation

  • Cosentino, Clemencia & Fortson, Jane & Liuzzi, Sarah & Harris, Anthony & Blair, Randall, 2019. "Can scholarships provide equitable access to high-quality university education? Evidence from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:71:y:2019:i:c:s0738059319302354
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2019.102089
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    Cited by:

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    2. de Silva, Tiloka & Gothama, Supun & Premakumara, Priyantha, 2021. "Admissions quotas in university education: Targeting and mismatch under Sri Lanka’s affirmative action policy," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Rachman, M. Aulia, 2023. "Scholarship for catching up? The Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) scholarship program as a pillar of economic development policy," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    4. Campbell, Anne C. & Lavallee, Chelsea A. & Kelly-Weber, Erin, 2021. "International scholarships and home country civil service: Comparing perspectives of government employment for social change in Ghana and Nigeria," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).

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