Can scholarships alone help students succeed? That's the question that social policy think tank MDRC asks as part of its Performance-Based Scholarship Demonstration, which is testing six programs across the country.

While the study is not yet complete, MDRC recently published findings from two community colleges in its report, "Can Scholarships Alone Help Students Succeed? Lessons from Two New York City Community Colleges." The results revealed some factors that affect students' ability to pursue higher education and succeed in that pursuit.

The study defines performance-based scholarships as those granted to students based on financial need, where students had to meet certain academic goals in order to continue receiving the grants. According to MDRC, making additional financial aid contingent upon certain behaviors can lead to "an increased effort toward studies, a reduced level of financial stress, and an increased confidence on the part of students in their ability to succeed."

All of these may cause an increase in enrollment and credits earned over the long term, enabling students to meet their educational goals....

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