Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines

Despite facing severe poverty, many college students continue to pursue higher education, viewing a bachelor’s degree as essential to achieving success and lifting their families out of poverty. However, the extent to which the Educational Cash Transfer (ECT) Program supports their academic perform...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jan Blademir D. Bradecina, John Marc Campo, Kent Wisson S. Leonardo, Emmanuel A. Onsay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Department of Sociology, State University of Gorontalo. 2025-06-01
Series:Dynamics of Rural Society Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://drsj.fis.ung.ac.id/index.php/DRSJ/article/view/81
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849226781467344896
author Jan Blademir D. Bradecina
John Marc Campo
Kent Wisson S. Leonardo
Emmanuel A. Onsay
author_facet Jan Blademir D. Bradecina
John Marc Campo
Kent Wisson S. Leonardo
Emmanuel A. Onsay
author_sort Jan Blademir D. Bradecina
collection DOAJ
description Despite facing severe poverty, many college students continue to pursue higher education, viewing a bachelor’s degree as essential to achieving success and lifting their families out of poverty. However, the extent to which the Educational Cash Transfer (ECT) Program supports their academic performance remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the ECT Program, particularly among beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), compared to non-4Ps students, using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT). Data were gathered through questionnaires and secondary sources and analyzed using frequency counts, percentage analysis, Likert scale analysis, t-tests, and regression discontinuity design (RDD). The findings suggest that the Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situations (AICS) program plays a significant role in addressing students' financial needs. However, challenges such as delays in ECT distribution, stringent qualification requirements, cumbersome release procedures, and issues with document submission hinder effective access. Most respondents expressed satisfaction with the ECT Program, citing improvements in academic performance and timely submission of schoolwork. Notably, 4Ps membership significantly influenced student attendance, especially among first-year students who showed the highest punctuality. Although eligibility for ECT positively affects academic outcomes, the lack of statistical significance highlights limitations in its measurable impact. Based on the findings, the study recommends continuing and expanding the ECT Program with increased funding to support college, high school, and elementary students. It also urges improvements in fund disbursement processes by streamlining procedures, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and setting clear timelines to ensure timely delivery of aid. These insights provide valuable guidance for local government units and stakeholders seeking to enhance access to educational financial assistance.
format Article
id doaj-art-409c2baa1c5049c2b89657733674b4e2
institution Kabale University
issn 2987-0844
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Department of Sociology, State University of Gorontalo.
record_format Article
series Dynamics of Rural Society Journal
spelling doaj-art-409c2baa1c5049c2b89657733674b4e22025-08-24T09:55:56ZengDepartment of Sociology, State University of Gorontalo.Dynamics of Rural Society Journal2987-08442025-06-0132Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the PhilippinesJan Blademir D. Bradecina0John Marc Campo1Kent Wisson S. Leonardo2Emmanuel A. Onsay3College of Education, Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur, PhilippinesCollege of Education, Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur, PhilippinesCollege of Education, Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur, PhilippinesCollege of Business and Management, Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur, Philippines; Graduate School, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines Despite facing severe poverty, many college students continue to pursue higher education, viewing a bachelor’s degree as essential to achieving success and lifting their families out of poverty. However, the extent to which the Educational Cash Transfer (ECT) Program supports their academic performance remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the ECT Program, particularly among beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), compared to non-4Ps students, using Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT). Data were gathered through questionnaires and secondary sources and analyzed using frequency counts, percentage analysis, Likert scale analysis, t-tests, and regression discontinuity design (RDD). The findings suggest that the Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situations (AICS) program plays a significant role in addressing students' financial needs. However, challenges such as delays in ECT distribution, stringent qualification requirements, cumbersome release procedures, and issues with document submission hinder effective access. Most respondents expressed satisfaction with the ECT Program, citing improvements in academic performance and timely submission of schoolwork. Notably, 4Ps membership significantly influenced student attendance, especially among first-year students who showed the highest punctuality. Although eligibility for ECT positively affects academic outcomes, the lack of statistical significance highlights limitations in its measurable impact. Based on the findings, the study recommends continuing and expanding the ECT Program with increased funding to support college, high school, and elementary students. It also urges improvements in fund disbursement processes by streamlining procedures, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and setting clear timelines to ensure timely delivery of aid. These insights provide valuable guidance for local government units and stakeholders seeking to enhance access to educational financial assistance. https://drsj.fis.ung.ac.id/index.php/DRSJ/article/view/81Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis SituationsCollege StudentsEducational Cash Transfer ProgramPantawid Pamilyang Pilipino ProgramPoverty
spellingShingle Jan Blademir D. Bradecina
John Marc Campo
Kent Wisson S. Leonardo
Emmanuel A. Onsay
Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
Dynamics of Rural Society Journal
Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situations
College Students
Educational Cash Transfer Program
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Poverty
title Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
title_full Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
title_fullStr Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
title_full_unstemmed Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
title_short Impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students’ academic performance in the Philippines
title_sort impact evaluation of educational cash transfer programs on college students academic performance in the philippines
topic Assistance to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situations
College Students
Educational Cash Transfer Program
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
Poverty
url https://drsj.fis.ung.ac.id/index.php/DRSJ/article/view/81
work_keys_str_mv AT janblademirdbradecina impactevaluationofeducationalcashtransferprogramsoncollegestudentsacademicperformanceinthephilippines
AT johnmarccampo impactevaluationofeducationalcashtransferprogramsoncollegestudentsacademicperformanceinthephilippines
AT kentwissonsleonardo impactevaluationofeducationalcashtransferprogramsoncollegestudentsacademicperformanceinthephilippines
AT emmanuelaonsay impactevaluationofeducationalcashtransferprogramsoncollegestudentsacademicperformanceinthephilippines