This program is now closed. To contact GiveDirectly please call 4483 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Calls to this number are free.

What is the Educational Stipend for 12th graders?

GiveDirectly, in partnership with USAID/Liberia and the Liberian Ministry of Education (MoE), launched the Educational Stipends Program for 12th Graders writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This program sought to deliver one-time cash transfers of approximately US $50 (10,000 Liberian dollars) to up to 41,526 students registered to take the WASSCE in 2020. The transfers would help students meet food, transportation, and other costs, addressing the financial constraints that may prevent school attendance and exam completion. Transfers were delivered via mobile money in two installments of US $25 (5,000 Liberian dollars).

All 12th-grade students registered to complete the WASSCE exam, from public and private schools across all counties of Liberia could enroll in the program.

Results

GiveDirectly ultimately paid US $1.9M in educational stipends to 37,727 students (90.9% of all students registered for the WASSCE) in 694 schools (98.2% of schools).

Students spent on a wide range of items to support them both during the exam and after graduation.

  • 48.0% of students reported spending some portion of their stipend on food, 42.2% on transportation to school, and 22.4% on books and educational materials.
  • Students also reported adding to their savings (11.4%) and paying back loans or debts (9.7%).

This program is now closed. To contact GiveDirectly please call 4483 from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday to Friday. Calls to this number are free.