Challenges experienced by Scholarship Students from Programa Universidade para Todos

Abstract

The aim of this research was to know difficulties to attend undergraduate in students with full scholarship from Programa Universidade para Todos (PROUNI) from a private university in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. The idea for this research came from that Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio (ENEM) approval and the consequent PROUNI scholarship are not sufficient for the maintenance in the studies and completion of the graduation. Students must administer study, work, and family during college. The method used was qualitative and exploratory. Thirteen students were participants of this study, who participated in a focus group and answered a sociodemographic questionnaire. Two categories were listened: (1) Before entering the graduation and (2) During graduation. Regarding the first category, the results indicated, mainly, difficulties coming from the families of the students, who, for the most part, did not support them to attend the graduation, encouraging them to follow the same occupation of their parents. In the second category were present mainly financial and relationship difficulties, both with peers and with teachers. The participants stated that, despite difficulties, having planning, effort and determination to complete an undergraduate course can make a difference in their future life prospects.