Performance-Based Scholarships: What Have We Learned?

This paper examines the benefit of performance-based scholarships on short-term academic outcomes, longer-term academic outcomes, the variation of amount and duration on academic outcomes, and which students are most benefitted by scholarships. Using a random assignment research design, 4,921 students were assigned to either a program group, eligible to earn performance-based scholarships, or a control group. The authors found most students met the academic benchmarks for one or more semesters and increased the number of credits earned during the first year. In Ohio, performance-based scholarships increased the proportion of students who earned a degree or certificate. The scholarships work for a variety of students including historically underserved students. Thus far, performance based scholarships do not appear to increase the number of students who remain in college.

URL
Source
External Publication
Publisher(s)
MDRC
Publication Year
2013
Keyword: Level