Perceptions of the impact of the Bogotá Mayor's Office's "Jóvenes a la U" program on the Minuto de Dios University Corporation, Colombia

Abstract

This descriptive cross-sectional study evaluates the social reach of the Bogotá Mayor's Office's "Jóvenes a la U" program at the Minuto de Dios University Corporation, focusing on facilitating free access to higher education for low-income youth. A mixed-methods research was conducted using a structured survey administered to 633 beneficiaries selected by stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were categorized thematically. The results revealed that 93.9% of participants, primarily from strata 1 and 2, would not have accessed university education without this support. Ninety-five percent reported significant changes in their perspectives and goals. Participants were concentrated in peripheral locations with high socioeconomic vulnerability, experiencing improvements in personal and professional development. The program reached its peak in 2023, benefiting 52% of the total participants. Areas for improvement were identified, such as more comprehensive academic support services and more timely payments. "Jóvenes a la U" is positioned as an effective public policy model that reduces structural barriers to access to higher education, transforming the careers of young people from marginalized communities.