The early bird gets the cash: When should a scholarship for secondary school arrive? Evidence from Ethiopia
Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) are among the most widely studied and successful interventions targeting school enrollment and attendance in low- and middle-income countries.
- Ethiopia
- social protection
- cash transfers
- education
By Jessica LeightJuly 14, 2026
Key takeaways
- A study in Ethiopia found conditional cash transfers increased secondary school enrollment. Youth offered transfers were more likely to enroll and stay in school.
- Earlier notification delivered bigger impacts. Students informed more than a year in advance saw larger enrollment gains and higher exam pass rates.
- Benefits extended beyond schooling. The program reduced early marriage and improved household well-being, including increased school enrollment among younger siblings.
Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) are among the most widely studied and successful interventions targeting school enrollment and attendance in low- and middle-income countries. Cash payments defray the costs of enrollment and transportation that systematically discourage many families from sending children to school; they may also better enable families to meet their needs without labor income generated from children or adolescents, who can reallocate their time to school.
Though much of the literature on CCTs focuses on primary school, a robust body of evidence also suggests that they can effectively lower the financial barriers that prevent poor and rural youth from enrolling in secondary school. This in turn enables youth to accumulate skills that can be applied in the job market or in further education, improving their long-term economic trajectory.