Free Registration Fees Approved for Public Higher Education Applicants (Colombia, June 2026)
Decree 0617 of 2026 added rules to Decree 1075 of 2015 so eligible applicants can receive public financing for registration fees at state or official higher education institutions. The measure applies to undergraduate admissions and is tied to vulnerability criteria, budget availability, and an operating regulation.
Decree 0617 of 2026 added rules to Decree 1075 of 2015 so eligible applicants can receive public financing for registration fees at state or official higher education institutions. The measure applies to undergraduate admissions and is tied to vulnerability criteria, budget availability, and an operating regulation.
What Changed?
The Ministry of National Education was authorized to finance up to three registration fees for eligible young Colombian applicants to public higher education undergraduate programs. The decree defines the scope of the benefit, eligibility rules, a managing board, transfer and follow-up duties, and the need for an operating regulation.
Old System vs New System
Public higher education institutions could charge applicants registration fees under their financial autonomy, and applicants generally had to pay those fees unless covered by a separate institutional or public aid measure.
Eligible applicants aged 14 to 28, with Colombian nationality, registered in Sisbén IV groups A, B or C, and not already enrolled in a professional university program or holding a professional degree, may receive financing for up to three registration fees at state or official institutions.
Who Is Affected?
Student Impact
Eligible applicants can apply to public higher education programs without paying up to three registration fees, which may reduce the cost barrier before admission.
Parent / Family Impact
Families of eligible applicants may face lower upfront costs when a student applies to public undergraduate programs.
School / Institution Impact
Public higher education institutions must align admission-fee reporting and financial coordination with the operating rules and the ministry's payment process.
Teacher / Staff Impact
No direct teacher-specific operational change was identified.
Key Dates
- 2026-06-17: Decree 0617 issued
- 2026-06-20: ministry public announcement on the free registration policy.
What To Do
- Applicants should check the ministry and institutional admission channels
- confirm Sisbén IV status
- and follow the operating procedure once each public institution opens admissions.
What To Watch Next
Watch for the operating regulation, the first admission periods using the benefit, and public reporting on the number of applicants financed.
Global Context
For international comparison, this record shows Colombia moving from free tuition policy toward reducing pre-admission costs in public higher education.
Source Record
Source type: Regulation
Source name: Ministry of National Education of Colombia, Decree 0617 of 2026