DEC. 21, 2015

Chile’s Executive Branch submits short bill for 2016 free tuition program

“This is an important step forward,” said Education Minister Adriana Delpiano a few hours before the government’s bill was submitted to Congress. The proposed legislation would benefit over 185,000 students and their families. If approved, students would not have to pay for or take on debt to finance their higher education under the free tuition policy beginning in 2016.

The bill states that public universities will be eligible for the program if they make a commitment to maintain or improve their institutional accreditation. The Education Ministry will increase funds allocated to the Framework Agreement by 2.5 billion pesos in order to allow significant progress to be made to strengthen the universities.

In regard to this development, the minister said, “One very important aspect is the government’s willingness to have a program to strengthen public institutions with the resources and agreements required for each entity because their situations may vary, but they will all benefit.”

Private universities could also join the program during the first stage “as long as they have been accredited under Law 20.129 for at least four years as of December 27, 2015 and their controllers are individuals or not-for-profit entities,” the bill states. Institutes of higher education that are eligible for the 2016 Free Tuition program must submit a written document to the Education Ministry stating that they are willing to accept the terms by December 27.

The law also states that the amount of the New Millennium Scholarship II for students from the first five deciles will increase for those “enrolled in not-for-profit institutions or schools that make a commitment to adjust their legal status in order to become an institution of that type.” The scholarship will be increased from 700,000 pesos per year to 850,000 pesos for fees.

In order to be covered by the 2016 Free Tuition program, the students must belong to the first five socio-economic deciles and enroll in an eligible university. The measure will include both students who enter college next year and those who are already enrolled in an academic program at an eligible school. Free tuition exempts students from paying for fees and enrollment.

In addition, all fee scholarships that are currently available will remain in place for students who do not access free tuition.

 

Previous
President Bachelet participates in ceremony marking the 120th anniversary of the State Defense Council
Next
President Bachelet: “Healthy can also mean tasty, nutritious and affordable”

You might be interested in

Follow us on our social media: