Built from evidence, not assumptions
ATHEFA was designed based on research.
Before developing our scholarship model, we invited 1,200 youth- and education-focused organizations across 45 lower-income and high-need countries to tell us what actually prevents capable young people from continuing to higher education.
The survey was translated into 16 languages to make participation more accessible and to ensure local experience shaped the model from the beginning.
1,200+ organizations invited
45 countries
16 languages
What we learned. And how we respond.
Access is the exception.
Only 10% of responding organizations said qualified young people always or almost
always continue to higher education when they wish to.
We respond:
10%
Cost is the biggest barrier
More than 4 in 5 respondents identified tuition and related education costs as a major
reason students do not continue.
We respond:
85%
Family obligations matter
Around half of respondents identified family obligations as a barrier to higher education.
For some students, university means not only finding money to study, but also reducing the income they could otherwise earn for their household. Helping with essential living costs can make it more realistic to study, work part-time where appropriate, and continue contributing to family responsibilities.
Tuition alone is not enough.
Daily living costs are as significant a barrier as tuition.
Housing, food, transportation, and other essential living costs often prevent a student from attending - even when tuition itself is covered.
Desire is not the problem.
Fewer than 1 in 5 respondents identified a lack of desire to pursue higher education as a barrier.
With the average in-country response being less than 5%. The research points toward a problem of access, not simply aspiration.