Gates Foundation Awards $1.2 Million to Study Effectiveness of Online Degree Program for Low-Income Students

A recent Gates Foundation-commissioned study conducted by Leo Burnett determined the challenge of juggling work and class schedules to be one of the largest hurdles facing young people as they try to earn a degree. While these students, who are disproportionately from low-income families, believe a stable work schedule would help them complete a postsecondary program, they also believe that access to affordable, high-quality online degree programs could greatly alleviate the problem. Many of these students also cite their preference for an accelerated program that will help them gain critical skills and join the workforce quickly, so they can support themselves and their families.