Questioning merit-based scholarships at nonprofit private universities: Lessons from Turkey

Keskiner H., Gür B. S.

International Journal of Educational Development, vol.97, 2023 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 97
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102719
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Educational Development
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, Periodicals Index Online, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Index Islamicus, Linguistics & Language Behavior Abstracts, Public Affairs Index
  • Keywords: Capital, Equality of opportunity, Higher education, Nonprofit private universities, Socioeconomic inequality
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: No

Abstract

By employing multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), this study reveals the similarities between students’ socioeconomic status at five nonprofit private universities in Turkey. This research analyzes qualitative characteristics such as students’ fathers’ occupations, high school types, programs of study, and tuition fee paying status. The results demonstrate that children from relatively low-income families do not sufficiently benefit from the merit-based scholarship programs at nonprofit private universities. To ensure equality of opportunity in higher education, the researchers advocate for redesigning merit-based scholarship programs, which holds key implications not just for Turkey, but also for other higher education systems that rely on merit-based financial aid.