Has the student profile of federal universities changed after the lei de cotas?

Abstract

This study aims to provide input for the process of monitoring and evaluating the Lei de Cotas [Quota Law] (Law No. 12.711/2012) by investigating changes in the socioeconomic and racial profiles of the student body of federal higher education institutions (Ifes) from 2012 to 2016. To do so, we developed an exploratory analysis of the profile of incoming students, enrolled in undergraduate courses in Ifes, based on data from the Higher Education Census (2012-2016) and the Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio [National High School Exam] (2011-2015). Our results suggest that the Lei de Cotas has produced inclusive results on most of the Ifes in Brazil (with contradictory effects on some), especially among newcomers from the public network system and the self-declared black, pardo and indigenous peoples.