Building dreams: The short-term impacts of a conditional cash transfer program on aspirations for higher education. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: García, Sandra; Harker, Arturo; Cuartas, Jorge
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational development. Volume 64(2019)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: D03 -- D04 -- I25 -- I28 -- I38; Educational aspirations -- Conditional cash transfer -- Education -- Difference-in-differences -- Latin America; Education -- Periodicals; Education -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Périodiques; Education; Periodicals; 370.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2018.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-0593

Abstract

Highlights: Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programs may influence educational preferences. Colombian CCT program increased parental aspirations for their children attainment. The CCT program had a positive impact on children's aspirations for higher education. Effects are larger for parents in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged households. Abstract: This paper analyses the short-term impacts of a large scale conditional cash transfer program on educational aspirations in poor households. Using data from the impact evaluation of the Colombian program Familias en Acción and a difference-in-differences approach, we find a positive impact on aspirations for higher education, for both children and parents. After more than one year of exposure, parents were 11 percentage points more likely to aspire for higher education for their children, and children were 20 percentage points more likely to aspire to higher education. The effect was larger for parents in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged households.