This study sought to analyze the differential effect of the "Beca 18" program, promoted by the Peruvian government, on academic performance in beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries in university degree programs. An empirical, quantitative and ex post facto study was carried out to analyze the relationship between students' status as scholarship holders and the impact this had on academic performance (average grade) in a sample of 1,262 students (scholarship holders=204; non-scholarship holders=1,058) from 9 study programs at the Universidad Privada del Norte in Peru. The results show that a high percentage of scholarship holders (99.5%) pass their academic semester. Furthermore, it was found that these students achieve higher grades than non-scholarship holders. It is concluded that the Beca 18 program has a positive effect on academic performance.