Municipal scholarships in Colombia: which one is right for you depending on where you live

The question always comes up at the same time: the daughter of the family has already started university and the family discovers that the tuition doesn't include the money. Then someone mentions that the mayor's office "gives scholarships." It's true, and it's worth stating clearly: scholarships from mayoral offices in Colombia They exist, but almost none are won based on points. They're won based on your address and the school you graduated from. That detail decides who gets in and who doesn't.

What mayoral scholarships are currently available in Colombia?

Today, as of August 2026, none of the four large territorial programs have an open access call. Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and Cundinamarca closed their last registration periods between June and July. All four are cyclical and reopen each semester, so the important thing now is to gather your documents and find out which one applies to your region.

This also means that anyone offering to get you into one of these programs today is selling something that isn't actually available. We've compiled a complete overview of the country in our guide. scholarships in Colombia.

Why is the Bogotá program no longer called "Youth to University"?

Because it changed its name, and much of the content circulating hasn't yet been informed. The district strategy is now called Young people to the E and the opera Athena Agency, The district agency for higher education, science, and technology. If you search for "Youth to University," you'll end up on old pages or replicas that copy expired calls for applications.

Jóvenes a la E has two tracks and they don't offer the same benefits. The one for private institutions pays tuition directly to the university and includes a living allowance of up to one minimum monthly wage per academic period, without incurring debt. The one for public institutions focuses on the retention of those already admitted: financial support per semester plus tutoring, psychosocial support, and vocational guidance. In both, the age limit is 28, applicants must have graduated from high school in Bogotá, and applications are submitted through the SICORE platform.

The fifth call for applications for the private line was open from June 3 to 9, 2026, and the results were published on July 13. This is a six-day window: that's why we insist on having your paperwork ready before, not after, the announcement.

What does Medellín offer with Zero Tuition and Sapiencia Funds?

Medellín, the city where we work, separates the two things, and it's important to understand that. Zero Registration, which manages Sapience, It consists of paying up to one hundred percent of the total cost of tuition fees at eight public institutions: ITM, Pascual Bravo, Colegio Mayor de Antioquia, Tecnológico de Antioquia, Politécnico Colombiano Jaime Isaza Cadavid, IU Digital, Universidad de Antioquia and Universidad Nacional, Medellín campus.

The requirements are not merit-based: applicants must have been born in Medellín or demonstrate residency in the District for the year prior to the application, and enroll in a minimum of eight credits. A 3.0 GPA is required for renewal, along with passing at least eight credits during the funded period. The scholarship can be suspended for up to three semesters, which is useful for those who have to take a break for work or health reasons.

The Sapience Funds They are something else entirely, and this is where many people get confused: they are not scholarships, they are forgivable loans, with funding for undergraduate, national graduate, and international graduate programs, as well as district youth advisors. They are forgiven if the academic and social conditions are met; if not, they remain as debt. We also explain the difference between financial aid and a loan in the... ICETEX requirements for scholarships.

What does "My Cali Scholarship" really cover?

It covers living expenses, not tuition. The program, run by the Mayor's Office of Santiago de Cali through the District Education Secretariat, provides a living allowance equivalent to the current legal minimum wage per semester for the duration of the academic program. Enrollment is handled through another channel, usually with free tuition from the public institution.

The entry filter is very specific: you must have graduated in 2025 from one of the 92 Official Educational Institutions of Cali and be already admitted to a technical, technological, or supplementary training program at a public higher education institution or a Higher Teacher Training School. A prior higher education degree is also not permitted. The final registration period was open until July 23, 2026, according to the Official bulletin of the Mayor's Office.

The required documents are free: ID, Saber 11 test results, graduation certificate or diploma, utility bill less than two months old, and Sisbén certificate (if applicable). If you don't know how to download yours, see how to request it. Sisbén certificate.

What does the Cundinamarca Governorate require?

The fund is called Cundinamarca More Professional And it operates with forgivable loans, not direct scholarships. Its requirements are among the broadest in the country in terms of age and among the strictest in terms of residency: being Colombian, being under 45 years old, having been born in the department or having resided there for at least the last five years, being a graduate of an educational institution in Cundinamarca, being registered in the national Sisbén database in one of the 116 municipalities, and passing the Saber 11 tests.

The amount ranges from one to five minimum wages and is calculated based on the Saber 11 score, the program modality, and its alignment with the department's priorities. Here, the score does matter, but only to determine the amount you receive, not to admit you. The 2026-2 call for applications accepted from June 3 to 12 and was finalized until August 11, according to the [source/source missing]. Cundinamarca Department of Education website.

How do the four differ, and which one is right for you?

Look at the third column: half of these programs don't pay tuition, and a family that arrives thinking they do is left halfway there.

Sources: official portals of the Atenea Agency, Sapiencia, the Mayor's Office of Cali and the Government of Cundinamarca, consulted in August 2026.

Common mistakes that leave a family out

• Search for the program by its old name. «"Youth to University" is no longer the current brand in Bogotá, and those who search for it end up reading requirements for calls that closed years ago.
• Believing that the scholarship covers everything. My Cali Scholarship provides living expenses and Zero Tuition provides tuition: they are not the same, and confusing them leaves the semester half-paid.
• Wait for the announcement to gather documents. Several of these windows last less than ten days, and the graduation certificate or admission certificate doesn't come out overnight.

Frequently asked questions about municipal scholarships in Colombia

Can I apply for a scholarship in a city where I don't live?
No. All these programs are financed with resources from the municipality or the department and require proof of roots: birth, proven residence or having graduated from a school in the territory.

Is there a fee to register?
No. Registration is free and is done through each organization's official website. If someone charges to "guarantee" a spot, that's a scam. subsidy scam.

Is it possible to have both a regional and a national scholarship at the same time?
It depends on the specific program. Several prohibit receiving additional funding for the same purpose, so you should read that clause before accepting. National programs such as Generation E and the ICETEX loan They have their own rules.

Are they suitable for postgraduate studies?
Some do: the Sapiencia Funds have national and international postgraduate programs. We cover the full picture in scholarships for postgraduate studies in Colombia.

What if I haven't been accepted yet?
Almost all require prior admission. While waiting for that, the SENA's job openings It's the fastest free route to avoid failing the semester.

How Hepacom accompanies you

At the Hechos Para la Comunidad Foundation, we work for the right to decent housing in Colombia, And children's education is part of the same story: a family that doesn't have to choose between paying rent and paying for a semester's tuition can stay in their home. That's why we organize this information free of charge, just as we do with the... State subsidies.

If you have any questions about your case, write to us at donaciones@hepacom.org or visit our website contact. We offer free guidance in clear Spanish. Hepacom does not charge for registration nor does it manage payments for any State program.

Last updated: August 2026. Information guide. The process is handled by the official entity. Always verify the official channel of each entity before applying, as dates change every semester. Hepacom does not charge or process payments.