Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

This chapter presents the literature and studies, which have a significant bearing on the

present study. It will include research findings and literature on the level of satisfaction among

the college beneficiaries of the ABaKa Program.

Related Literature

Level of satisfaction among the college beneficiaries of ABaKa Program.

In various parts of the world, numerous exceptional colleges and institutions of higher

education exist. Prospective students at higher education institutions worldwide face a difficult

task in choosing a university that can fulfill their educational needs and requirements. The

overall performance of a country is directly influenced by the quality of education offered by its

higher education institutions. In other words, higher education functions as the driving force for

social and economic progress within a nation. Higher education institutions, particularly

universities, impart the technical knowledge and skills necessary to accelerate a nation's social

and economic development. According to Wong & Chapman (2023), in the literature on higher

education, numerous factors that contribute to student satisfaction have been thoroughly

investigated due to their crucial role in the sector. One area that has received less attention is the

quality and nature of interpersonal interactions that students are involved in. The study involved

280 undergraduate students from one of the largest higher education institutions in Singapore.

satisfaction with the program, teaching by lecturers, institution, campus facilities, student

support, personal learning, overall university experience, and life as a university student

indicated that the different aspects of student satisfaction were connected to three different forms
of interaction: formal student-student, informal student-student, and student-instructor

interactions.

Beneficiary Satisfaction with the ABaKa Program's Financial Assistance

The Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan Tungo sa Karunungan (ABaKa) Program of the

Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is geared towards granting needy students necessary financial

assistance to enhance their access to education. Beneficiary satisfaction is one of the indicators

that measures the success of the program. By measuring the extent to which the student needs are

addressed by the financial aid, it can be established whether the program contributes to

improving their educational outcomes.

One of the determinants of satisfaction among beneficiaries is the sufficiency of the fund

assistance. There are different levels of assistance awarded based on the level of studies:

Php2,000 to elementary students, Php3,000 to secondary students, and Php10,000 to college

students. They are meant to cater to indispensable academic expenses that consist of learning

materials, text books, class projects, and internet or data load, without which academic progress

would be hard to achieve. Most beneficiaries have also indicated their gratitude for this

assistance, appreciating the enormous positive effect that it has on their academic paths.

For example, Norodin Masukat, a student of agriculture at the University of Southern

Mindanao, related his experience with the program, saying that the financial support was very

much helpful in fulfilling his research paper. He credited part of his success in studies to the

assistance of the ABaKa Program, which enabled him to devote more time to studies instead of

money worries (Bangsamoro Government, July 11, 2022). This endorsement highlights the real

payoff of the program in ensuring student success.

ranking mechanism to ensure that aid goes to the neediest students. Major factors taken into

consideration are family income, number of siblings in school, and special needs. This focused

method improves beneficiary satisfaction by guaranteeing fairness and transparency in the

selection process.

But while these are good points, they are not without problems. The fact that so little

money is available for the program is an issue. This means that not everyone who qualifies will

be able to receive funds. Therefore, even those students who qualify may not be selected,

causing those who are not chosen to be unhappy. To remedy this, ongoing efforts to obtain more

funding and resources are necessary to increase the program's coverage and overall satisfaction.

In summary, although the ABaKa Program has achieved considerable success in assisting

indigent students, regular evaluation and resource allocation are vital to increasing beneficiary

satisfaction and the program's long-term sustainability.

Contribution of the ABaKa Program towards Academic Achievement

Financial aid programs, like the Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan Tungo sa Karunungan

(ABaKa) Program, extend much-needed aid to low-income students. By helping students remove

immediate financial constraints, such one-time support programs allow students to concentrate

on academic studies and, in certain instances, enhance their level of achievement.

Studies repeatedly prove that financial aid has a positive effect on the academic achievements of

students. For example, a study by Capining et al. (2024) on the implementation of the Unified

Student Financial Assistance System (UniFAST) found that such programs helped alleviate

financial stress and improved students' academic engagement, despite their one-time nature. The

study indicated that financial support boosted attendance rates, contributing to better student
involvement and continued enrollment. Although there was a slight increase in academic

achievement, financial aid was shown to have a significant impact on the overall academic

experience of students (Capining et al., 2024).

The ABaKa Program makes one-time contributions to pay for basic educational

necessities, including uniforms, school materials, and others. While the program does not

provide ongoing assistance, it targets the elimination of dropout rates because it ensures the

students have all they need to finish their schooling year. Past beneficiaries of the program have

confirmed that the support helped them fund academic needs that they otherwise would not have

been able to purchase.

In addition, the ABaKa Program also gives special priority to students impacted by armed

conflict or disasters, addressing the extra challenges they have in accessing education. By

prioritizing these students, the program reduces the unique barriers, which leads to more

equitable educational achievements for those most vulnerable.

Nevertheless, the importance should be noted that although financial aid is pivotal, an

ABaKa type of one-time support might not be enough to guarantee long-term success in

academic life. A study by Azizah et al. (2024) highlights the fact that financial awareness and

financial behavior can play a main role in the financial management of students and,

subsequently, academic achievement. Hence, incorporating other academic support services,

such as counseling and mentoring, might ensure a more holistic attempt towards student

development.

In summary, the ABaKa Program positively contributes to the success of its wards in

academia by eliminating upfront economic constraints. For maximum efficacy, additional

and guarantee long-term success for students.

Beneficiary Perspectives on the Program's Administrative Efficiency

The administrative efficiency of a program has a direct bearing on beneficiary

satisfaction and the general success of the program. In the case of the Angat Bangsamoro:

Kabataan Tungo sa Karunungan (ABaKa) Program, the perceptions of beneficiaries regarding

administrative efficiency are informed by considerations of application processes, clarity in

communication, and the promptness of delivery of assistance. Complicated application processes

can impose serious administrative costs on beneficiaries, possibly discouraging them from

seeking accessible support. Herd and Moynihan (2018) conducted a study on the effects of

administrative costs on access to public benefits, noting that complex processes can result in

reduced utilization of necessary services. The study revealed that such costs disproportionately

harm those with scarce resources, time, or information, thus aggravating social disparities.

Good communication between program managers and beneficiaries is very essential in

promoting trust and transparency. Timely and good communication on application status,

disbursement timelines, and program feedback can contribute to beneficiary satisfaction. Moffitt

(2018) examined how beneficiaries of a social program in Mexico managed to cope with

administrative hassles and discovered that beneficiaries used several strategies to mitigate the

effects of cumbersome processes. The research pointed out that open communication and

assistance can enable beneficiaries to efficiently handle administrative issues.

The timely release of funds is important in order to ensure that beneficiaries are able to

address their urgent needs. Lateness in assistance may cause dissatisfaction and could erase the
program's purpose. Herd and Moynihan (2018) also raised the concern regarding timeliness and

mentioned that lateness in the delivery of benefits can cause adverse effects, such as additional

economic burden and reduced trust in the implementing agency. Ensuring timely assistance is

essential for maintaining beneficiary satisfaction and the overall effectiveness of support

programs.

Within the context of the ABaKa Program, responding to the intricacies of application

processes, improving communication clarity, and guaranteeing timely fund disbursement are key

to enhancing beneficiary perceptions of administrative efficiency. By learning from the findings

of previous studies, program administrators can pinpoint areas of improvement, ultimately

leading to increased beneficiary satisfaction and program success.

Administrative Issues and Scope for Improvement

The Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan Tungo sa Karunungan (ABaKa) Program, similar to

most financial assistance programs, is subject to several administrative concerns that affect

beneficiary satisfaction. A major concern is the availability of the application procedure.

Research points out that lengthy application processes and requiring a lot of documents can

discourage qualified students from applying. Smith (2021) underscores the importance of

streamlining these processes without compromising on the eligibility process so that efficiency

and beneficiary satisfaction go up significantly.

Another vital consideration is the timeliness of fund disbursement. Postponement of

releasing financial aid has a harmful effect on the students' capability to fulfill their education

requirements. According to research by Jones and Adams (2020) and the World Bank (2020),

postponements in the distribution of funds normally undermine academic success through the
postponement of school supplies purchase. The timely release, especially during the beginning of

the academic term, can significantly enhance the effect of the program among students.

Further, effective communication is essential in building trust between program managers and

beneficiaries. Smith (2021) submits that transparent communication on application status and

timelines of disbursements can strongly improve the experience of beneficiaries. Nonetheless,

some beneficiaries of the ABaKa Program have complained about the absence of clarity in

application status. Offering periodic updates in text messages or online portals could help

enhance transparency and minimize confusion.

Customized assistance is also an area of improvement. Cheung (2024) states that having

specialized support units to help applicants along the way can enhance beneficiaries' satisfaction

with administrative efficiency. Furthermore, research by Jones and Adams (2020) and the

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2020) indicates that open fund

allocation and intelligible selection criteria are necessary to prevent applicants' dissatisfaction.

Overall, streamlining application processes, expediting fund releases, enhancing

communication, and individualized support are areas of improvement. By improving these

administrative weaknesses, the ABaKa Program can increase beneficiary satisfaction and

effectiveness.

Best Practices from Other Education Support Programs

Studying best practices from similar financial assistance schemes across the globe can

provide insights into enhancing the efficiency of the Angat Bangsamoro: Kabataan Tungo sa

Karunungan (ABaKa) Program. Silva et al. (2019) point out the success of Brazil's Bolsa Família

education grant program, which has integrated biometric authentication and digital tracking

mechanisms. Such technology advancements guarantee timely disbursement of aid to target

ABaKa Program in order to rationalize its administrative procedures, enhancing efficiency as

well as beneficiary satisfaction. Biometric authentication as well as computerization also has the

potential to increase transparency and ease of access while disbursing money.

In the United States, the Federal Pell Grant scheme has established easy-to-use web

platforms that allow applicants to verify their eligibility, upload necessary documents digitally,

and monitor disbursements in real time. The system, as put forward by the National Center for

Education Statistics (2022), has greatly improved administrative effectiveness by minimizing the

workload of program administrators while making the process easier for applicants. Having

similar online platforms for the ABaKa Program would simplify its operations, and it would be

more accessible to beneficiaries as well as making the fund distribution smoother.

Further, the Conditional Cash Transfer programs in the Philippines, including the

Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program, have successfully incorporated academic monitoring by

stipulating that beneficiaries should satisfy both attendance and academic performance

requirements to maintain financial aid. The Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program Report (2021)

reiterated that such incorporation of academic monitoring guarantees that financial assistance

directly impacts educational performance. The ABaKa Program may want to adopt a similar

academic performance standard to further maximize its effect on student achievement and ensure

that financial aid serves to support educational progress.

Through the examination of these global and national programs, the ABaKa Program can

implement best practices that respond to contemporary administrative issues and maximize the

overall quality of its financial support for promoting student success.

Related Studies
Local study

The research, "Ascertaining the Quality Educational Services in a Polytechnic College

Through Students' Satisfaction" by Pangan (n.d.), employed a descriptive survey design to

evaluate students' satisfaction with different levels of educational services in a Polytechnic

College. The subjects were 820 students, whose profiles were compared using age, gender, and

grade/year level. The research was meant to find out the respondents' degree of satisfaction with

he institution's services and detect noteworthy differences in perceived satisfaction when

segmented by personal profiles. The results showed that the respondents were largely between

their mid-teens and early twenties, the greatest percentage (43%) being between the 18–19 years

of age group. Female students comprised the sample and accounted for 55% of respondents

versus 45% of males. Equal proportion of respondents included Senior High School and College-

going students. Where satisfaction levels concerned, different categories of educational services

were evaluated. Teachers' provided instructions were evaluated with a weighted mean of 3.985,

which demonstrates that students tended to be overall "Satisfied" since their expectations were

largely met by instructions. Facilities received slightly lower marks, with a weighted mean of

indicating "Moderate Satisfaction" because of problems such as poor comfort room conditions

and the absence of scientific equipment. Security and maintenance received a weighted mean of

3.598, which indicates that students considered the campus secure. Instructional media and the

library received a weighted mean of 3.55, which was also graded as "Satisfied." Flexibility and

administrative support were most important in contributing to students' satisfaction, receiving a

weighted mean of 3.88. Programs and activities, social relations, and school climate were also

positively graded with weighted means of 3.78 and 3.785, respectively. With regard to notable

differences in satisfaction levels, the research established that age had an effect on perceptions,
as reflected by a P-value of 0.019, which is below the 0.05 significance level. Nevertheless, no

notable differences were noted when age was taken into account for particular aspects such as

instructions, facilities, and administrative support. Gender had no notable differences in

satisfaction for all variables. Conversely, grade/year level showed meaningful differences in

satisfaction with security and maintenance, administrative support/flexibility, and social

relations/school climate, with P-values of 0.009, 0.035, and 0.019, respectively. Nevertheless, no

meaningful differences were observed in satisfaction with instructions, facilities, library

resources, or programs and activities when classified by grade/year level. In general, the study

emphasizes the need to continuously improve educational services to match students' demands

and cover gaps in facilities and certain parts that depend on demographic factors.

Beneficiary Satisfaction with Institutional Services: A Comparative Study, a research

work by Java (2020), the main aim was to measure the level of satisfaction of Central Philippine

University students with different institutional services for the 2019–2020 academic year. A

researcher-administered questionnaire was used in collecting data from a sample of 261

respondents, and data analysis was carried out with the use of SPSSPC version 11. The research

process adhered strictly to ethical guidelines. Descriptive statistics like frequency counts and

percentages were employed in analyzing the data.

The results indicated that the most of the respondents were female, Roman Catholic,

regular students, freshmen, and having professional parents or guardians. The research found

important aspects of satisfaction, and they include the quality of academic services, efficient

student enrollment process by the university, affordable tuition fee and financial policy, and

accessibility and effectiveness of scholarship and financial aid programs. Moreover, students
were greatly satisfied with the safety and security policies of the university, and its student

affairs programs to accommodate students' spiritual well-being.

In addition, the research identified that students were content with the communication

channels of the university, which helped in building a sense of belonging and pride within the

campus. The positive attitude of front-line staff and tailored services for different student groups

also helped significantly in improving student satisfaction. The findings indicated that the overall

satisfaction of the students was determined by the university's dedication to student-centeredness

and service excellence.

The conclusions of the research conducted by Java (2020) have showed that generally the

respondents were quite satisfied with the institutional services such as, but not limited to, student

spiritual life, student-centeredness, campus safety and security, campus climate, academic

services, and service excellence. These could help in rendering precious insights toward

improvement of the ABaKa Program, most specially in finance support and other related support

services targeting the maximization of academic accomplishments of Bangsamoro Region's

students.

Perceived Satisfaction with Scholarship Programs and College Students' Academic

Success in Davao City in 2024 research by Ang et al., researchers investigated the correlation

between college students' satisfaction with scholarship programs and their academic success in

Davao City, Philippines. Using a quantitative correlational design, the study surveyed 100

legitimate college students aged 18-30 who were recipients of scholarship for one year and

above. The researchers used the Academic Success Inventory for College Students (ASICS) and

the Satisfaction with Scholarship Benefits Scale to collect data. Results showed that there was a

positive relationship between students' satisfaction with scholarships and their academic
achievement. The economic relief afforded by the scholarships relieved financial burdens,

enabling students to concentrate more on academics and less on financial issues. This support not

only enhanced their academic performance but also contributed to their overall well-being and

motivation to excel academically. The study underscores the importance of continuous

evaluation and enhancement of scholarship programs to maximize their benefits for student

recipients.

Professed Student Satisfaction on Scholarship Services and Its Relation to College

Persistence in One State University in Laguna Banayo et al. (2023) investigated the

relationship between student satisfaction with scholarship services and college persistence at a

state university in Laguna, Philippines. The descriptive-correlational study surveyed 67

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholars using self-reported assessments to

measure satisfaction across various services, including scholarship updates, support for scholar

organizations, staff assistance, and benefits. Findings showed that students were very satisfied

with the scholarship services provided and exhibited high levels of persistence in areas such as

academic and social integration, degree commitment, and institutional commitment. However,

the study found no significant relationship between satisfaction with scholarship services and

college persistence. The researchers suggest that other factors may influence persistence and

recommend further studies to explore additional variables. This study emphasizes the need for

comprehensive support systems to enhance student retention and success in higher education

institutions

Foreign Studies

Assessment of the Indonesia Scholarship Program by the Education Fund Management

Institute Putra, Rahman, and Kasim (2024) designed a study with the title of "Evaluation of the
Scholarship Program by the Education Fund Management Institute in Indonesia" that

evaluated how effective Indonesia's Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) scholarship

program is. Their study presented on ResearchGate identified the effectiveness of the LPDP

scholarship program in increasing students' access to education. The research revealed that the

program support reduced students' financial burdens significantly, thus enabling them to devote

more time to their studies. The impact of the scholarship was most pronounced in the enhanced

performance and increased graduation rates among scholars. This conforms to the outcomes in

comparable programs, indicating that financial assistance has the potential to be a catalyst for

student achievement.

Similarly, Byantoro (2024) carried out a study entitled "The Impact of Scholarships on

Student Achievement: A Mixed Methods Study," which examined the effects of scholarships on

student performance at the Faculty of Education, State University of Surabaya, Indonesia. The

research, published in Jurnal Edukasia, was both quantitative and qualitative in approach,

measuring the academic performance of scholarship holders. It was discovered in the study that

the students who had received scholarships boasted higher Grade Point Averages (GPAs) and

reported increased academic motivation levels. Byantoro further recorded that the recipients of

the scholarship were more confident and tended to participate actively on campus, adding to their

personal and academic growth. These results support the need to blend financial assistance with

comprehensive student development activities to best leverage the beneficial effect on student

performance.

The Contribution of Scholarship Programs towards Facilitating Educational

Equity: An International Prospective

extensively researched, with many scholars investigating the ways in which these programs

ensure opportunities for marginalized groups. An international study carried out in 2021

explored the influence of different scholarship programs on access to education, especially

among underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups. The research showed that

scholarship schemes greatly enhanced access to university education, which resulted in greater

graduation rates and improved career opportunities. Scholars also expressed greater satisfaction

with their education, and financial relief was one of the primary reasons for their academic and

personal well-being. The research further indicated that scholarships promoted social mobility,

allowing recipients to overcome the cycle of poverty and to make greater contributions to

society.

Consistent with these results, Perna (2014) in The Attainment Agenda: State Policy

Leadership in Higher Education highlighted the central role of financial aid to encourage

educational equity, especially through state policies that increase higher education attainment.

Additionally, Perna, Orosz, and Jumakulov (2015) in their study Understanding the Human

Capital Benefits of a Government-Funded International Scholarship Program: An

Exploration of Kazakhstan's Bolashak Program researched the ways that scholarships promote

educational equity and social mobility, looking at the case of the Bolashak program in

Kazakhstan. These studies highlight that well-structured scholarship programs can propel

educational equity by assisting in the academic and individual growth of students, finally leading

to social inclusion and sustainable development.

Effect of Scholarship Programs on College Students' Satisfaction and Academic

Achievement
 In their 2020 paper entitled "Can grants affect student performance? Evidence from

five Italian universities," Graziosi, Sneyers, Agasisti, and De Witte investigated the effect of

monetary grants on the academic performance and satisfaction of Italian university students.

Applying administrative records from five universities in Italy, the authors used a strict statistical

method named propensity score matching to estimate the influence of scholarships on student

performance. The main emphasis was put on proxies like dropout rates, the number of academic

credits, and general study effectiveness. The results showed that those students who were given

financial aid by scholarship schemes displayed significantly superior academic performance

compared to their counterparts who did not get financial aid. Particularly, scholarship

beneficiaries had lower dropout rates and better academic achievement in terms of credits earned

and study effectiveness.

The researchers also underscored that grants eased the financial pressures that normally

cause stress and distractions from studies. By decreasing the pressure to work part-time,

scholarship recipients could allocate more time to studying, hence a more concentrated study

experience. The results justify the argument that financial aid schemes, such as scholarships,

help boost students' satisfaction by not just offering monetary relief but also by enabling

improved academic performance.

Moreover, Graziosi et al. (2020) emphasized that scholarships have a critical function to

enhance the general university experience of students. The funding makes it possible for the

recipients to become more confident about completing their course of study, which makes them

happier with their experience. This is especially applicable in situations where students could

otherwise be hampered by paying tuition fees, living expenses, or combining work and study.
 The findings of the study confirm the general wisdom about the positive influence of

scholarships on student achievement, especially in academic persistence and performance. It

emphasizes the need for financial aid in eliminating educational barriers and highlights the worth

of scholarships in not just improving academic performance but also fostering a feeling of

belongingness and support in the university community. The researchers proposed that

policymakers and universities should persist in incorporating financial aid programs as a central

part of student support systems, along with ensuring these programs are accessible and efficient.

These results are especially pertinent to explain the impact of scholarship schemes such

as the ABaKa Program in the Philippines, where monetary aid is directly important for the

support of students from disadvantaged groups. As in Italy, financial support can help to

decrease the economic burden on students, enabling them to concentrate more on their academic

work and enhance their academic achievements.