Want to study for free? This is the list of universities with zero tuition in Colombia 2025.
Young people in Colombia will have the opportunity to participate in the new "I Can Study" program, an initiative of the Ministry of National Education that provides access to undergraduate programs at 67 universities nationwide during the second semester of 2025.
The Colombian Government Agency respects the right to education, as established in Article 69 of the Colombian Political Constitution through Decree 2271 of December 29, 2023.
Education Photo: Istock.com
Decree 2271 provides, in Article 27 , the guarantee of access for young people to higher education, establishing policies for free tuition in undergraduate programs at public institutions.
The program covers citizens who fall under the criteria of socioeconomic vulnerability, equity, territoriality, and population focus, prioritizing those who have not had the opportunity to access higher education.
The Colombian Government Agency respects the right to education, Photo: iStock
The National Government will guarantee resources through annual transfers to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The programs covered by these disbursements are undergraduate programs at the technical, professional, technological, and university levels, in accordance with the requirements of the institutions enrolled in the National Government initiative.
What are the requirements to access “I Can Study”? Through the update provided on the Ministry of Education's official website, access is being expanded for young people wishing to study undergraduate programs. Now, the Sisbén (Spanish Social Security Number) is no longer the only requirement for accessing the National Government's initiatives.
- Socioeconomic stratum: living in strata 1, 2 and 3.
- Prioritized Populations:
- Ethnic peoples (indigenous, Rrom, Afro-Colombians, Raizal, Palenqueros and black communities).
- Victims of the armed conflict.
- People with disabilities.
- Peasant communities .
- Persons deprived of liberty.
- Groups A, B or C of Sisbén IV (any subgroup).
Apprentices in Boyacá, Tunja. Photo: Ministry of Culture
- Age: No age limit.
- Nationality: all national residents and foreign citizens.
- Deferrals: No limit on deferrals across semesters.
- Previous qualifications: Everyone can access these benefits, regardless of whether they have a previous educational qualification.
- Program duration: two additional periods to complete the program.
Although priority is given to students from low-income families or rural areas. Ninety-five percent of the total live in strata 1, 2, and 3, those who meet certain criteria will also be eligible for this initiative.
Transfer of resources: The government allocates the cost of tuition directly from the Ministry of National Education to educational institutions.
Ministry of National Education Photo: Ministry of National Education
Those interested should apply to one of the country's 67 public higher education institutions during the program's validity period.
There, they must request the documents required for the desired program, whether at the technical-professional, technological, or university level.
The institution will be responsible for registering the student in the National Higher Education Information System (SNIES) and will subsequently verify the requirements for admission to the corresponding academic program.
What are the 67 universities available in the country? Amazon- Technological Institute of Putumayo.
- National University of Colombia.
- University of the Amazon.
- National University of Colombia
- University of the Plains
- International University of the American Tropics – UNITRÓPICO
UNAL Newspaper Photo: National University of Colombia
- National University of Colombia
- University of Córdoba
- Popular University of Cesar
- University of the Atlantic
- University of Cartagena
- University of Magdalena – UNIMAGDALENA
- Bolívar University Institution of Fine Arts and Sciences
- University of La Guajira
- University Institution of Barranquilla – IUB
- Cartagena University Institution – UNIMAYOR
- ITSA University Institution – Sabanalarga and Soledad – San Juan
- National Institute of Technical and Vocational Training – Humberto Velásquez García
- District Polytechnic University Institution of Santa Marta
- University of Valle
- National University of Colombia
- Technological University of Chocó – Diego Luis Córdoba
- University of Cauca
- University of Nariño
- Departmental Institute of Fine Arts
- Higher School of Public Administration – ESAP
- Agricultural Technical Institute – ITA
- Antonio José Camacho University Institution
- National Institute of Technical Professional Training – INFOTEP San Juan del Cesar
- Autonomous Indigenous Intercultural University – UAIIN
- Cauca College University Institution
- Juan de Castellanos University Institution – Los Libertadores University Foundation
University of Antioquia. Photo: Courtesy of the Communications Department, University of Antioquia.
- University of Antioquia
- National University of Colombia
- University of Caldas
- Military University – New Granada
- University of Tolima
- Industrial University of Santander
- Surcolombiana University
- University of Pamplona
- University of Cundinamarca – UDEC
- Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia – UPTC
- University College of Cundinamarca
- Francisco de Paula Santander University
- Francisco de Paula Santander University – Ocaña
- National Open and Distance University – UNAD
- Antioquia College
- Jaime Isaza Cadavid Polytechnic
- Jaime Isaza Cadavid Colombian Polytechnic
- Metropolitan Technological Institute – ITM
- Technological Institute of Antioquia
- University Institution
- National Institute of Technical Professional Training – INFOTEP
- Débora Arango Higher Technological School of Arts
- Technological Institute of Putumayo
- Conservatory of Tolima
- Tolima Institute of Technical Professional Training
- National University of Colombia
- National Institute of Technical Professional Training of San Andrés and Providencia – INFOTEP
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