Free Degree Fees Approved for Eligible Public Higher Education Graduands (Colombia, June 2026)
Decree 0616 of 2026 regulated free degree fees for eligible students completing undergraduate programs at state or official higher education institutions. The measure covers the administrative payment tied to graduation and sets eligibility, prioritization, and resource rules.
Decree 0616 of 2026 regulated free degree fees for eligible students completing undergraduate programs at state or official higher education institutions. The measure covers the administrative payment tied to graduation and sets eligibility, prioritization, and resource rules.
What Changed?
The national government created a regulated route for the Ministry of National Education to finance graduation-related degree fees once for eligible graduands at public higher education institutions. Eligibility includes Sisbén IV groups A, B and C, ethnic groups, campesino communities, conflict victims, and persons with disabilities.
Old System vs New System
Students who completed a public higher education program could still be required to pay degree fees as an administrative condition for graduation, unless another aid source covered the cost.
Eligible graduands at state or official institutions may have the graduation fee financed once, subject to budget availability, operating rules, and prioritization based on vulnerability and population or territorial gaps.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Eligible students near graduation may avoid a final administrative cost that could delay completion of the degree process.
Parent / Family Impact
Families may face lower end-of-program costs when an eligible student is ready to graduate from a public institution.
School / Institution Impact
Public higher education institutions must coordinate degree-fee data, resource assignment, and follow-up procedures with the ministry and the operating regulation.
Teacher / Staff Impact
No direct teacher-specific operational change was identified.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-17: Decree 0616 issued
- 2026-06-20: ministry public announcement on free degree fees.
What To Do
- Graduands should confirm whether their institution is state or official
- verify eligibility
- and follow institutional guidance once the payment procedure is activated.
What To Watch Next
Watch for institutional instructions, budget allocations by period, and publication of the operating regulation for degree-fee payments.
Global Context
This measure gives international readers a clear example of Colombia extending student-aid policy from tuition and admission access to the final graduation stage.
Source Record
Source type: Regulation
Source name: Ministry of National Education of Colombia, Decree 0616 of 2026