Chicago Star Scholars are more likely to earn an associate degree and just as likely to earn a bachelor’s degree, according to a study by the University of Chicago’s Inclusive Economy Lab. This evidence supports tuition-free community college as a component of a broader strategy to increase college affordability, educational attainment, and economic mobility. The report, The Effect of Merit-Based Free Community College, found that the Star Scholarship:

• Increases the probability that students earn a college degree 

• Eligible students were 2.1 percentage points more likely to earn an associate degree and equally likely to earn a bachelor’s degree. 

• Does not affect whether students enroll in college, but does affect where students initially enroll in college, making community college more students’ first college experience.  

• Students eligible for Star Scholarship are 4.2 percentage points more likely to enroll first at a community college, and 2.9 percentage points less likely to begin at a four‐year institution.

• Does not change whether students ever enroll in a four-year institution  

• Six years after graduating from high school, eligible students are equally likely to eventually have enrolled in a four-year institution.  

For the full study, visit www.ccc.edu.