| Abstract: |
Investment in tertiary education in Africa, unlike richer settings, is often
portrayed as inequitable and inefficient. Yet, though Africa will produce much
of the world’s future workforce, there is little information on college
students’ financial constraints. Novel data from a Zambian flagship university
show that students are highly financially vulnerable and food insecure, on par
with the "ultra-poor.'' Because universities are typically urban, cash poor
rural students struggle with high urban costs of living. Being allocated
on-campus housing leads to less financial vulnerability and better academic
outcomes. Financially supporting African university students could promote
both equity and efficiency. |