Financial Aid Programs Research Articles

Breaking the Sick Workers Conundrum: An Analytical Study on the US Autoworkers Physical and Mental Health Risks

Autoworkers suffer from a higher mortality rate of cancer and heart diseases compared to the public due to long-term exposure to workplace hazards and mental stress. A comparative literature review was conducted to show the influence of health-risk factors among autoworkers; a qualitative study of nine in-person interviews with autoworkers in Michigan was designed for better comprehension of their decisions regarding health risks at work. This study revealed that financial stress and mistrust towards corporations and the government play significant roles in workers acceptance of working in hazardous environments; together, these factors contribute to peoples reluctance towards using proper personal protective equipment and other means of safety practices. The author believes that a public financial aid program for autoworkers and training programs for corporate management on communication and empathy will reinvigorate the auto-manufacturing industry with a healthier and more productive labor force.

한국장학재단의 학자금대출과 국가장학금 수혜에 따른 대학생의 학업성취도, 대학 생활 및 여가와 삶의 질 분석

This study aimed to compare policy effects of two main pillars of national financial aid programs—student loans and national scholarships—operating under the shared objective of financial assistance for higher education but in different ways, focusing on university students’ outcomes, student life, leisure, and quality of life. We utilized data from the KEEP II covering 2018~2021. The study identified groups receiving student loans and national scholarships through the Korea Student Aid Foundation (KOSAF), employing propensity score matching (PSM) to control for sample selection bias. A two-way fixed effects (FE) analysis was conducted using four years of data to account for individual-specific and time-specific effects. Furthermore, this study estimates the Average Treatment Effect on the Untreated (ATU) by predicting the effects on the group that received student loans if they were to receive national scholarships. The analysis yielded the following findings: while there were no statistically significant differences between the national scholarship and student loan groups in terms of academic performance and university life variables, the scholarship recipients exhibited a statistically significant positive effect on health and quality of life-related dependent variables. In other words, students who received national scholarships were more likely to have regular breakfast, increase their weekday leisure time, engage in more physical exercise, and enjoy better sleep quality, and increase happiness. The significance of this study lies in its focus on the relationship between financial aid, student health, and quality of life. Methodologically, by setting the control group for propensity score matching to resemble the actual policy target group, thereby facilitating a comparison of the effects of the two financial aid policies. Based on these findings, the study suggests policy implications.

EduFinBuddy: A Web-Based Education Financial Aid Recommendation System Using Web Scraping

Education plays a crucial role in shaping Malaysia's future development. However, access to higher education remains discriminatory, particularly for students from lower-income families, individuals with disabilities, and indigenous backgrounds, as they face challenges due to escalating living costs. The Malaysian government has initiated various education financial aid programmes to address this issue, encompassing scholarships, loans, and one-off aid. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting inclusivity and ensuring all aspiring students have equal access to pursue their educational dreams. However, in many cases, some students apply for educational financial aid only to face rejection due to unmet requirements. Therefore, this paper proposes a responsive web-based system, namely EduFinBuddy, that will be able to identify the most suitable education financial aid based on student input. We begin the development process by extracting data from the targeted websites using a web scraping approach and storing it in a database. Then, we build the recommendation component using the cosine similarity algorithm to ensure accuracy based on the student's input. Thus, the student will get a list of educational financial aids according to their preference. The result shows that all the functionalities work well and can be implemented in any educational system of financial assistance to allow easier access to information for tertiary-level students in Malaysia. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting inclusivity and ensuring all aspiring students have equal access to pursue their educational dreams.

Unlocking the impact of international financial support to infrastructure, energy efficiency, and ICT on CO2 emissions in India

Financial resource constraints prevent developing nations from investing in the infrastructure needed for the green transition. For this reason, it is well known that numerous financial aid programs are offered globally, mainly to wealthy developing nations whose economies are predicated on high energy consumption. It hasn't been looked into if these resources are allocated to worthwhile projects. This study examines how foreign financial assistance in this area affects India's infrastructure emissions. The effects of natural resources, economic growth, information and communication technology, energy efficiency (oil and gas), and natural resources on the environment are being investigated as well. The novel multivariate quantile on-quantile regression technique is used in this context to examine a time-series data set spanning 2000–2021. According to the findings, there is a correlation between reduced carbon emissions and increased foreign financial aid. Likewise, advancements in energy efficiency and information and communication technologies also benefit the ecosystem. However, India's emissions are rising due to its abundant natural resources and economic expansion. Policy recommendations were made regarding the need for India to use international financial aid primarily to strengthen environmentally friendly infrastructure rather than solving problems such as current account deficit or budget deficit.

Unveiling Student Segments: Leveraging Clustering Analysis of Registration Data for Enhanced Recruitment Strategies

Recruiting the right students is crucial for higher education institutions to achieve their goals of attracting talented individuals and fostering academic success. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of data-driven recruitment strategies in identifying target student populations and tailoring recruitment efforts accordingly. By utilizing K-means clustering analysis on a dataset of student profiles, this research identifies distinct clusters based on factors such as province of residence, parent occupation, and parent revenue. The findings reveal valuable insights into the characteristics and preferences of different student clusters, enabling the development of targeted recruiting strategies. The results indicate that a significant number of students in specific clusters are from Songkhla Province, have parents predominantly engaged in the private sector, agriculture, and fishery occupations, and come from families with moderate income levels. Building upon these findings, several recommendations for recruiting strategies are proposed. These include focusing marketing efforts in the identified regions, forging partnerships with local businesses, offering financial aid programs, and establishing connections with agricultural and fishing communities. This can involve targeted online advertisements, promotional campaigns in local schools, and active participation in career fairs or educational expos held in Songkhla Province. This study contributes to the field of higher education recruitment by leveraging data-driven approaches to identify target student populations and develop tailored strategies.

Using access to higher education to redress inequities: tensions between equity and excellence in the polytechnic universities in Mexico

ABSTRACT Despite the expansion of higher education and the growing number of students from disadvantaged socioeconomic background and/or from ethnic minorities who now access university places, inequalities in access to higher education based on social class and origin remain a challenge. This article analyses the Polytechnic Universities in Mexico, examining them as a public policy for democratising access to higher education. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with the rectors and heads of the academic administration staff of 12 Polytechnic Universities, aiming to identify the limits and potential of the various strategies that make the PU model a policy of equity. These strategies include (i) the geographical decentralisation of university campuses, (ii) the scholarships and financial aid programmes, and (iii) the recruitment campaigns to attract new students. The interviews enable us to uncover the trade-off between equity and excellence and to observe how the PU model addresses it. While some of the responses and effects have already been examined in the literature, others highlight some nuanced specificities in the context of PUs in Mexico. Our results provide evidence that suggests a need to reconsider the most effective equity PUs strategies for enhancing access to higher education for disadvantaged populations in Mexico.

College opportunity and teen fertility: Evidence from Ser Pilo Paga in Colombia

We study the effects of an increase in post-secondary educational opportunities on teen fertility by exploiting policy-induced variation from Ser Pilo Paga (SPP), a generous college financial aid program in Colombia that dramatically expanded college opportunities for low-income students. Our preferred empirical approach uses a triple difference design that leverages variation in the share of female students eligible for the program across municipalities and the fact that the introduction of SPP should not affect the education and fertility decisions of older women not targeted by the program. We find that after the introduction of SPP, fertility rates for women aged 15–19 years old decreased in more affected municipalities by about 6 percent relative to less affected municipalities. This effect accounts for approximately one-fourth of the overall decrease in teen fertility observed in the years following the program’s announcement. Our results suggest that increasing economic opportunities through expanding college access can contribute to lowering teen fertility rates.

Актуальні напрями соціальної роботи з військовослужбовцями та їхніми сім’ями

Social workers play a critical role in providing support and guidance to military families during deployment. They offer counseling services to help family members cope with the emotional challenges of separation and uncertainty. By creating a safe space for families to express their fears and concerns, social workers can facilitate the healing process and strengthen family bonds. In addition, social workers play an important role in bridging the communication gap between deployed personnel and their families by ensuring that important messages and updates are effectively communicated. In addition, social workers connect military families with resources and support networks to help them navigate the challenges of deployment. Whether it's access to mental health services, financial aid programs, or educational resources for children, social workers advocate for the well-being of military families. In addition to the support provided by social workers, there are various programs and activities specifically designed to meet the needs of military families. Family therapy sessions are conducted to eliminate communication disorders and improve family relationships. These activities create a safe environment for family members to express their thoughts and feelings, ultimately fostering better understanding and cohesion.

Financial Policies for Single-Person Household Housing in South Korea

We investigated the determinants of awareness, utilization, and satisfaction regarding financial aid programs for single-person households in South Korea and proposed policy enhancements. Our analysis employed logistic regression on microdata from the “2020 Housing Survey” by Statistics Korea, covering the nation and all age groups. We categorized single-person household traits affecting program awareness, utilization, and satisfaction into demographic, socio-economic, housing, and housing perception factors. The dependent variables included awareness, utilization status, and satisfaction levels of government-sponsored financial support programs, which were measured on a four-point Likert scale. The independent variables encompassed demographic, socio-economic, and housing characteristics, which were analyzed comprehensively. We identified factors that influenced awareness, utilization, and satisfaction and recommended tailored policy measures. The findings revealed lower awareness among elderly individuals, women, rural residents, and rental households. Moreover, older age, lower income, rental, and one-room dwelling households exhibited lower utilization rates, with decreased housing and residential environment satisfaction correlating with diminished program satisfaction. Due to the diverse characteristics of single-person households, strategic interventions are crucial. Measures to bridge information gaps, establish comprehensive long-term support systems, and develop differentiated policies tailored to single-person household traits are imperative for improving financial aid programs for this demographic.

Analisis Fenomena Hedonisme di Kalangan Mahasiswa Penerima Beasiswa KIP Kuliah: Perspektif Sosio-Ekonomi Baru

This research aims to explore the phenomenon of hedonism among recipients of the Kartu Indonesia Pintar Kuliah (KIPK) scholarship from a new socio-economic perspective. Using a qualitative approach with in-depth interview methods, this study was conducted at Universitas Negeri Jakarta in May 2024. A total of 8 students, both KIPK recipients and non-recipients, were purposively selected as informants. Data collection techniques were carried out through face-to-face interviews or communication media using structured interview guidelines. The data obtained were then thematically analyzed to identify patterns, differences, and key factors influencing the hedonism phenomenon among KIPK recipients. The research results reveal that social pressure, campus environment, social media, ineffective financial management, and lack of financial education are the main driving factors of consumptive behavior among KIPK scholarship recipients. The findings also identify negative impacts such as misuse of funds, social jealousy, and misalignment in the implementation of the scholarship program. This research provides important insights to enhance the effectiveness of financial aid programs through a more holistic and sustainable approach.

Assessment of the financial and economic situation at Ukrainian enterprises during the war

The financial stability of the enterprise is the main criterion that indicates its financial condition and ensures successful functioning. With the beginning of the war, many Ukrainian enterprises became insolvent due to their own financial problems, illiquidity and circumstances that made it impossible to continue business. The paper analyzes the results of a survey of domestic business entities with regard to their expectations regarding the current financial situation. It is studied the share of enterprises operating at full and almost full capacity compared to the pre-war period. There are clarified the main challenges that domestic enterprises are exposed to during the war, in terms of industries. During the war, problems with electricity, water and heat supply interruptions and rising prices for raw materials shared the first place in the rating of business obstacles. Difficulties with the transportation of raw materials and goods in Ukraine were recognized as the third most significant problem. Labor safety ranks fourth in the rating. Disruption of supply chains ranks fifth. There are summarized the main transformations that took place in the country's economy during the war and affected the financial stability of domestic enterprises. They are the following: enterprises revised their approaches to labor organization and the dimensions of production or service provision; in two-thirds of enterprises there was a reduction in personnel; half of the enterprises reviewed their customer base and/or suppliers; businesses began investing in business continuity (generators, communications) and security (relocation costs or employee safety). All of this complicates the financial condition of the business, because at the same time as income decreases, the items of forced expenses increase. From these positions, indicators of the assessment of the financial and economic situation and expectations in the future at Ukrainian enterprises are studied. As a result, there are systematized the directions of adaptation of domestic enterprises to support financial security in wartime, namely: attraction of direct and indirect financial investments, resumption of export of own products and participation in state and international financial aid programs.

Enhancing College Access in Zimbabwe: Impact of Student Loans and Grants

This study explores how government interventions, grants, and loans influence college access in Zimbabwe, focusing on understanding the factors affecting college access and retention rates. The research aims to inform evidence-based decision-making regarding college access through a mixed research approach integrating qualitative and quantitative methods. Combining both qualitative and quantitative methods to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings. It analyses secondary data sources, such as literature, reports, and statistical datasets, to explore aspects like college access, enrollment trends, poverty rates, financial aid programs, and student loan systems in Zimbabwe. Triangulation techniques enhance the credibility of the study's findings by integrating evidence from various sources and employing diverse data collection and analysis methods, enriching perspectives and strengthening the validity and reliability of the study's conclusions. Key findings suggest that grants and loans significantly contribute to increasing college enrollment rates, particularly among economically disadvantaged groups. However, enrollment disparities persist, especially among marginalized populations like women. Despite a modest increase in government spending on education, concerns arise due to a slowdown in overall enrollment growth. Barriers to student loan uptake include complex application processes, concerns about debt burdens, and uncertainties regarding post-graduation employment prospects. The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive policy interventions to simplify eligibility criteria, enhance financial literacy, and promote employment pathways. Using human capital and open systems theories, the research lays a groundwork for evidence-based decision-making to enhance access to higher education in Zimbabwe.

Evaluating the Quality of Life of Beneficiaries After Providing Financial Aid by a Multi-specialty Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background Financial aid programs offered by multi-specialty tertiary care hospitals play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to healthcare. This study investigates the effect of financial aid on the quality of life (QoL) of beneficiaries, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted relationship between healthcare support and overall well-being. Aim The study's objectives included assessing changes in pre- and post-aid QoL, identifying influencing factors, understanding beneficiary experiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of financial aid programs. Methods The study adopted quantitative assessments through QoL questionnaires developed based on the WHO BREF questionnaire and insights obtained through interviews. A representative sample of beneficiaries was selected, informed consent was obtained, and an institutional ethical certificate was also obtained. Results The findings overwhelmingly support the alternative hypothesis. The alternative hypothesis was that after receiving financial support, recipients' quality of life would increase. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant enhancement in the QoL of beneficiaries across physical, mental, and social well-being domains. The quality of life scores of patients before and after receiving the support was statistically tested using a paired t-test, and the quality of life score has improved significantly with a p-value of 4.156 × 10-28 (p value<0.001). The comparison of quality of life scores of the control group with the patient's group before getting the support was tested using an independent sample t-test and found to be non-significant (p=0.496), while a similar comparison between the control group and the patient's group after receiving the support was found to be statistically highly significant with a p-value of 8.721 × 10-28 (p-value<0.001). Conclusions This research demonstrates the substantial impact of financial aid on the QoL of beneficiaries in a multi-specialty tertiary care hospital setting. It underlines the importance of addressing economic barriers and providing patient-centered, holistic support. These insights have broader implications for healthcare policy and practice, promoting a more comprehensive approach to patient well-being.

Experiences of Part-time Primary School Teachers Studying in One University in Lesotho

This study explored the experiences of part-time students at a university in Lesotho, aiming to comprehensively examine both the challenges and opportunities that come with this mode of study. Moore’s Theory of Transactional Distance was used as the theoretical framework as it is relevant in understanding the dynamics between educational structure, dialogic interactions, and the psychological and communication gap in distance learning environments. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve participants, evenly distributed across the first-year to third-year level, with four students representing each academic year of study. The researchers employed the Google Meet video conferencing platform to collect data from the participants. All interviews were recorded, and subsequently, the collected data were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the challenges outweigh the opportunities presented by part-time study. Although some coordinators and lecturers provided psychosocial support, students reported challenges such as feeling isolated and discriminated against, lack of time management, financial constraints, and infrastructural limitations, among others. The study recommends that financial aid programs, grants, and scholarships should be designed specifically for part-time students to make higher education more accessible to them. Additionally, flexible payment options should be made available to accommodate various financial circumstances, easing the anxiety that financial constraints impose. Lastly, institutions should take proactive measures to create a more inclusive and respectful campus environment.

The Role of Moderators on Product Quality and Export Flows: The Case of Pakistan

High-quality products are always in demand for both local and international markets. The demand for such products can be increased by the product sales at a domestic level. It can also be helpful to increase the export flows of an economy and hence improve the trade flows. Other factors have a moderating role in determining the relationship between export product quality and trade flows. The objective of this study is to examine the role of moderating variables, which are used to check the strength of the above relationship. There are three variables: financial constraints, firm heterogeneity, and R&amp;D activities are taken as moderators. For this purpose, the data is taken from annual financial reports of non-financial firms which are listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. Also, some country-level data is taken from the Pakistan Economic Survey. The objective of the study was achieved by using panel techniques Fixed Effect, Random Effect Model for the period of 1999 to 2020. It is found that firm heterogeneity and R&amp;D activities have positive and financial constraints have negative but significant effects on strengthening the relationship between product quality and export flows. Based on our findings, the government should provide R&amp;D funds and financial aid programs for new investors to improve product quality and increase their sales in local and international markets.

Alleviating administrative burden through digitalization and redesign: A laboratory experiment on student financial aid in Germany

AbstractIndividuals encounter and experience different costs, conceptualized as administrative burdens, when seeking access to social welfare programs. Scholars and practitioners suggest that digitalizing and redesigning application processes could alleviate and shift some of these negative experiences. However, empirical research testing whether real interventions achieve this remains scarce. In a laboratory experiment, we randomly assigned participants (n = 120) to one of two application processes for a student financial aid program: the standard paper‐based or a digitalized and redesigned application procedure. Students encountering the latter experienced significantly less administrative burdens, were more satisfied, and completed a higher proportion of process steps. Furthermore, functional literacy improved the experience of the bureaucratic encounter. These findings reveal the potential of redesigning and digitalizing application processes to alleviate administrative burdens.

The Ideal of Profitable: Information Systems, Debt, and the Shaping of Governable College Students in Colombia

Abstract This paper evaluates how higher education information systems have shaped financial subjectivities among university students in Colombia over the past two decades. It analyzes the financial conception of higher education promoted among those aspiring to higher education by exploring the debates on neoliberal governmentality and its impact on higher education. To achieve this goal, it traces the dissemination of human capital theory in the guidelines of multilateral organizations, searches for favorable mentions of financial aid programs in two national newspapers and estimates the intensity of interpellations in college magazine advertisements.

The Role of Financial Aid Programs and Education Facilities in Overcoming Education Gaps in Central Java Rural Schools

This study investigates the role of financial aid programs and educational facilities in addressing education gaps in rural schools in Central Java through quantitative analysis. The study of 150 students used correlation and regression analysis to explore the relationship between financial aid, perceived quality of educational facilities, socioeconomic status, and academic performance. Descriptive statistics reveal a diverse sample, and correlation analysis shows a positive relationship between financial aid, educational facilities, and academic performance. Regression analysis further highlights the individual contribution of financial aid and facilities to academic success, with additional emphasis on their combined impact. The results underscore the importance of comprehensive interventions that can address financial barriers and infrastructure shortages. Policymakers, educators, and stakeholders can use these findings to inform targeted strategies to promote educational equity in schools in rural areas in Central Java.

The Impact of Financial Aid Programmes on Access to Higher Education in Ugandan Universities

In Uganda, limited financial resources often obstruct higher education opportunities, particularly for those with modest incomes. Various financial aid initiatives have been introduced in an attempt to rectify this issue for equitable access. This study aimed to investigate the impact of financial aid initiatives on higher education accessibility, guided by two main research questions: (1) To what extent do financial aid programmes bolster access to higher education? (2) What challenges do students face in accessing financial aid for higher education? Employing a mixed-methods approach, data on enrollment into higher education institutions in Uganda were extracted from a National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) 2020 report for an overview into impacts of financial aid on access to higher education. For contextual and in-depth insight into the impacts of financial aid programmes on access to higher education, secondary data on loan schemes in two public universities and the Kabaka Education Fund in a private university were obtained and analysed using descriptive statistics. To understand the experiences and perspectives of financial aid programme recipients, qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 138 beneficiaries, including 12 individual recipients and 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) that involved 126 progressing recipients with about 9–10 persons per group from the three selected universities, whose responses were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results revealed that much as financial aid programmes have improved access to higher education in Ugandan universities, most financial services remain accessible primarily to wealthier individuals owing to barriers including application procedures, expenditure, discriminatory practices, limited information, a negative attitude towards aid and demotivation. The study recommends prioritising strategies that address the needs of a diverse student population to ensure equitable access to higher education, thereby promoting human progress, economic development, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.

The Impact of Financial Aid Programmes on Access to Higher Education in Ugandan Universities

In Uganda, limited financial resources often obstruct higher education opportunities, particularly for those with modest incomes. Various financial aid initiatives have been introduced in an attempt to rectify this issue for equitable access. This study aimed to investigate the impact of financial aid initiatives on higher education accessibility, guided by two main research questions: (1) To what extent do financial aid programmes bolster access to higher education? (2) What challenges do students face in accessing financial aid for higher education? Employing a mixed-methods approach, data on enrolment into higher education institutions in Uganda were extracted from a National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) 2020 report for an overview into impacts of financial aid on access to higher education. For contextual and in-depth insight into the impacts of financial aid programmes on access to higher education, secondary data on loan schemes in two public universities and the Kabaka Education Fund in a private university were obtained and analysed using descriptive statistics. To understand the experiences and perspectives of financial aid programme recipients, qualitative interviews were conducted with a sample of 138 beneficiaries, including 12 individual recipients and 13 focus group discussions (FGDs) that involved 126 progressing recipients with about 9–10 persons per group from the three selected universities, whose responses were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results revealed that much as financial aid programmes have improved access to higher education in Ugandan universities, most financial services remain accessible primarily to wealthier individuals owing to barriers including application procedures, expenditure, discriminatory practices, limited information, a negative attitude towards aid and demotivation. The study recommends prioritising strategies that address the needs of a diverse student population to ensure equitable access to higher education, thereby promoting human progress, economic development, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.