Essays in Economic of Education

The debate surrounding student debt and access to higher education is crucial, particularly given the significant costs involved. Various mechanisms, such as grants, loans, and tuition waivers, are widely implemented across different countries. However, tuition waivers' universality complicates assessing their causal effects and policy implications.In this study, I examine access to higher education, specifically through the lens of Chile's free tuition policy. The first chapter estimates the policy's causal effect on higher education access. I identify distinct local average treatment effects by utilizing a phased policy implementation approach with varying income requirements and institution eligibility. These effects are contingent upon a student's family income and the selectivity of the institution. Moreover, my research reveals that easing financial burdens does not necessarily improve academic preparation.