What is it about?
Scholarships can do more than simply help students pay for university. This study explores whether financial aid also improves academic success among higher education students in Morocco. Using data from more than 13,000 students between 2010 and 2023, the research compares students who received scholarships with similar students who did not receive financial support. The findings show that scholarships have a positive impact on academic performance. Students who received financial aid graduated faster — reducing the average time needed to obtain a diploma by about five months — and were more likely to graduate with higher academic distinctions. Scholarship recipients were also more likely to achieve “Good” or “Very Good” results compared to non-recipients. The study suggests that reducing financial pressure allows students to focus more on their studies instead of worrying about living expenses or part-time work. In developing countries like Morocco, scholarships can therefore play an important role in improving educational opportunities, reducing inequalities, and supporting student success. The research also highlights that combining financial aid with mentoring or academic support services could make these programs even more effective.
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Why is it important?
This study provides one of the first large-scale causal evaluations of scholarship programs in Moroccan higher education using advanced quasi-experimental methods. While most previous research has focused on access to university in high-income countries, our work shows that financial aid in a developing-country context can also improve academic performance, reduce graduation delays, and increase the likelihood of graduating with distinction. Using data from more than 13,000 students over a 13-year period, the study offers timely evidence for policymakers seeking cost-effective strategies to reduce educational inequality and strengthen human capital development in Africa.
Perspectives
Working on this publication was particularly meaningful to me because it connects rigorous econometric research with a very real social issue that affects thousands of students in Morocco and other developing countries. As a researcher in education and development economics, I have always been interested in understanding how public policies can genuinely change students’ lives beyond simple access to education. What I found especially rewarding in this study was showing that financial aid is not only about helping students enter university, but also about helping them succeed, persist, and graduate under better conditions. I hope this research encourages more evidence-based discussions on educational equity and inspires policymakers to invest in support systems that allow talented students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, to fully reach their potential.
Pr Mariem Liouaeddine
Universite Ibn Tofail Kenitra
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Closing the achievement gap? Financial aid and academic performance in higher education, Cogent Education, May 2026, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/2331186x.2026.2658321.
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