Vergolini, LorisZanini, Nadir2017-10-092017-10-092012https://hdl.handle.net/2445/116308Using a counterfactual approach, this paper empirically investigates the impact of an educational programme recently introduced in the Province of Trento (North-East of Italy). The aim of the policy is to foster university enrolment of students from low-income families and to reduce inequalities in access to higher education. The programme, known as Grant 5B, consists in generous incentives: it targets the university students from low-income families and is awarded upon both merit and demonstrated financial need. We exploit data from an ad hoc survey conducted on a sample of upper secondary graduates and employ a regression discontinuity design to estimate the impact of the intervention on the university enrolment decisions. We find that the programme has no significant effect on enrolment rates, but it exerts a positive effect on redirecting students already bound for university to enrol outside the place of residence. Relying on the relative risk aversion theory, we explain why a relaxation of the eligibility rules based on merit might be more effective in reducing social inequalities in access to university.30 p.application/pdfengcc-by-nc-nd, (c) Vergolini et al., 2012http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/SubvencionsMatrícula d'alumnesAvaluació educativaUniversitatsSubsidiesStudent enrollmentEducational evaluationUniversitiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/workingPaperinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess