Unila's student assistance program: an analysis of the profile of brazilian and foreign students

Abstract

The Federal University of Latin American Integration (Unila), created in 2010, during the governments of the Workers' Party in Brazil, predicted in its original project, the participation of 50% of Brazilian students and 50% of students from Latin American countries. Latina, offering different aids, for both groups, in the scope of Student Assistance (AE) of the University. The research, with a quantitative approach, aims to analyze the socioeconomic, demographic and health profiles of Brazilian and foreign students assisted by Unila's AE. Data were collected between March and April 2019, using as sources: the Integrated Information System, socioeconomic register, spreadsheets with socioeconomic assessment, selection notices, personal documents and minutes of the selection committee meeting. The sample consisted of 1,778 students, enrolled between 2014 and 2018, benefiting from housing, transportation and/or food allowances, including 52% Brazilians and 48% foreigners. Data were organized in Excel spreadsheets, with subsequent descriptive analysis and presentation of results in whole numbers and percentages. The results showed that 53% of Brazilians and 45% of foreigners are female; 46% of Brazilians and 38.3% of foreigners are brown or black; the mother is the main source of income for 26.1% of Brazilians and 29.6% of foreigners; and 19.4% of Brazilians and 38.5% of foreigners have a gross family income of up to one minimum wage.